Shakira was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2006. She's one of the four million people living with a disability in Australia and one of the 750,000 people receiving the Disability Support Pension (DSP).
When the government announced a coronavirus supplement, which many DSP recipients have access to, they weren't offered an increase to their fortnightly allowance.
The maximum DSP payment people can receive is $944.30. Shakira gets $926, which includes a pensions supplement and energy supplement.
"I think there's this assumption that we're in the same situation as we always were but we're not" Shakira told The Feed.
A spokesperson from the Department of Social Services told The Feed the coronavirus supplement is a temporary measure for job seekers in recognition of the economic impact of the pandemic.
"The Disability Support Pension is a long term payment that is already paid at the highest rate of support in the system – significantly higher than the JobSeeker base rate – because recipients are not expected to work to support themselves," a spokesperson said.
"DSP recipients have already received, or will soon receive, the first $750 Economic Support Payment, and they will also receive the second $750 Economic Support Payment in July, the second payment is not available to people receiving the Coronavirus Supplement."
The DSS says casual employees may also be eligible for JobKeeper but they would need to have been "with their employer on a regular and systematic basis for at least the previous 12 months on 1 March 2020."
Shakira is ineligible for JobKeeper because she works as a freelancer in a casualised workforce. She believes people with disabilities are disproportionately likely to be in casual employment.
"It's the only way that many of us can find flexible employment. So we're particularly precarious. Both as people with a disability and as people in the casual workforce," she said.
"We are already seeing people choose between eating and buying their meds. We are already seeing mums and dads going without meals to feed their kids."
For some, the cost of living has increased since the outbreak of COVID-19, and especially for those with immunocompromised conditions. Even a trip to the supermarket is too high a risk to Shakira's health.
Shakira standing on her doorstep. Source: The Feed
As a Greens senator in Western Australia, and a person living with cerebral palsy, Jordan Steele-John is pressuring the government to raise the DSP rate in line with those that have been stood down or are unemployed.
"This is something which people, which the government, which the major parties need to take seriously because we're talking about people's health, their well-being and ultimately their lives," he said.
"We are already seeing people choose between eating and buying their meds. We are already seeing mums and dads going without meals to feed their kids." he said.
Shakira is currently contemplating what she will do with her house if things continue the same way.
"I might need to sell the unit. Which would leave me in an extremely precarious situation."
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others and gatherings are limited to two people unless you are with your family or household.
If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor (don't visit) or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.
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