WHITTLESEA welfare agencies are feeling the strain, with the local dole queue growing 29 per cent in the past year, according to new figures.
The Centrelink Epping office, the only one serving Whittlesea, saw the number of registered unemployed jumping from 1741 in August 2011, to 2238 in August this year.
But welfare agencies say there are many “hidden” unemployed people, such as those with a working spouse, who are not included in the figures on monthly benefits payments reported last week by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace.
Many people on unemployment benefits struggle to pay rent or mortgages, according to Mona Mrad, Kildonan UnitingCare’s financial counselling services manager.
“Many times the Newstart allowance goes on housing costs and the family survives on family allowance payments, while the single people rely on charity,” she said.
Whittlesea Community Connection spokeswoman Peta Fualau said a family seeking help last week was paying $420 a fortnight rent for two rooms.
“People are downsizing their housing, crowding families into smaller places or, in this case, an inappropriate rooming house because it is affordable,” Ms Fualau said.
She said the charity provided cheques up to $80 for utilities and food but couldn’t meet demand.
“We help 35 families a week and turn away 40 to 60,” she said.
Pastor John Matthews, of Plenty Valley Church, said its free meals kitchen on Thursdays is drawing three times the numbers of two years ago.
“Even our own local church people are affected,” he said.
A spokeswoman for Northside Christian Church said it was overwhelmed by demand for food parcels, with 400 families on its charity books.
