From 1 January 2021, the supplement will be axed completely.
Weeks on from the initial cuts and welfare recipients are already feeling the pinch.
Since Ms Mammone moved out of her family home in Mildura, in northwest Victoria, four years ago to study she has received Youth Allowance and been financially independent.
“I’ve always been a pretty hard worker,” the Deakin University student said.
“So, to be in a position where I have to be desperate for money and being really smart about where it is going, it’s a whole different lifestyle for me.”
But after she lost her main source of income in April, and her shifts at her second job dropped to just three hours a week, things have drastically changed.
“The most immediate impact of COVID-19 was that I lost most of my work, but the supplement payment meant money wasn’t really a problem,” she said.
“I had enough money to pay rent and utilities, not miss any meals and see my psychologist – but I imagine that will change now that my payments have been halved.”
With the original Coronavirus Supplement payment, and Youth Allowance Ms Mammone had about $700 a week to survive. From that, $760 would go toward rent every month and $100 for utilities.
In September, the cuts reduced her government support by $200 a week.
“It is going to be a bit of a jump as my rent, utilities and food will eat up most of my payments,” she said.
“I’m going to have to start being smart about how often I see my psychologist.”
For Ms Mammone, relying on her parents isn’t an option – leaving the student to choose between necessities.
“Instead of seeing my psychologist once a fortnight, it might have to be monthly or even less than that,” she said.
“Once you start doing that, the appointments don’t really work well – so it questions whether it is worth it all together.
“I’ll have to eat the same food every week, so I know how much it is going to cost me.”
“I am still stressed about what my situation will be post-December when the supplement ends,” she said.
“It’s so important to share what young people are going through because I am probably better-off now compared to some.”
“On the current payment rate, I am having to make decisions between groceries and rent,” Ms Walker said.
“Me and my housemates are in the process of getting a rent reduction because we are now rent stressed.”
Without work due to the pandemic, Ms Walker has been dipping into her savings to survive. But she says the funds are drying up.
“If you have lost your job, you are likely to feel more in control and less stressed if you take steps to help improve your situation,” a Beyond Blue spokesperson said.
“There are many helpful things you can do to help you cope at this time – remind yourself that it’s OK to feel unsure about the future, be patient with yourself -recovery from any significant setback takes time.”
Source: 9News
