I live in public housing in NSW. I knew that the total amount of the 2009 increase in pension was just a temporary thing, so have factored it into my budget. The rent is still manageable, and far cheaper than the private sector, even with the Federal Government rental assistance.. I have security of tenure in my home, which is more than I could say about private sector rentals. I did not spend all the extra that I was granted, but calculated the amount of future rent and put it aside into a savings account, knowing that it was only mine for a short time. I have those savings now to enjoy. We're not badly done by, except in regard to maintenance of our homes. We can't expect that the Government, either State or Federal, wil allow us to live lives of luxury. You must budget, no matter what your income is.

my husband and I are in public housing in WA--we got a letter weeks ago telling us our rent would go up $18.00 PW from september--I did not twig at the time,but had accepted it...I am just so happy to have our own unit..which we can call our own unless something drastic happens..and feel so sorry for friends in our age group 68/80 who are paying in excess of $250.00 a week..I thank god we live in australia and not anywhere else far worse than here..

I am disgusted with this government for not giving us an adequate income to start with and then taking back what they did give us plus some to spend on probably more meals out for themselves.

It is so difficult being a single aged pensioner with no savings and no home, due to factors out of my control along life;s path, that quite honestly I am tired of constantly juggling money. I have a hefty medical cost due to many illnesses and am seriously thinking twice about not hanging around. Do you call this quality living? I most certainly don't.

I have spent 2 years of my life running a food giveaway for pensioners and having hundreds going through my giveaway over that time. If you listened to some of the stories I have heard it would make a grown man cry. Thankfully now it is running as a storehouse by the church with very cheap groceries. in the 2 weeks it has been open we have signed up 100 people and expect many more. It is a sad sight to see so many doing it tough & it makes me glad I worked my but off to get it, but sad to see that there are so many who are in strife financially. We need a large rise in the pension and less of this grabbing back to line fat politicians pockets. They should come and have a look for themselves and talk to these people. I can tell them a few things. My recent electricity bill is $281.44 which has doubled since 2006. Now there is only me in the place and I am very frugal so someone is making some money somewhere.

I can tell you all now there will be many suicides in our age group if something isn't done to give us a decent income.

I to live in a Homeswest Unit and had my letter ages ago, rent is up by $10 a week so thats $20 a pension.

Its getting harder and harder to survive with gas and electric going up so much, I,m glad the weather is getting warmer so wont need the heater on,, not that I have it on very much,