DOLE recipients have spoken of stretching $100 over a fortnight for food and going without a haircut for years as they struggle to survive on Newstart.
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Single mother Emily Lightfoot, a qualified accountant, and bachelor Laurie Roche, a former teacher, told of their experiences at a forum in North Albury on Friday.
The event supported having the first dole rise in real terms since 1994 in Australia.
Ms Lightfoot said before unemployment she would spend $100 on dining out.
"I probably spend about that much in a fortnight now on food for both myself and my son, which is a massive lifestyle change," she said.
The East Albury resident told of having a photo-sensitive condition which left her largely housebound for 14 months.
"I...couldn't do anything because I was that ill and I was completely at the mercy of the system," she said.
Mr Roche, 52, of Lavington, told of feeling isolated while food shopping.
"I go to Coles, if I have some money to spend on things, and you see people who can just pick and choose whatever they want...whereas I've got to go around the shop two or three times making sure I haven't missed any of the reduced-for-quick-sale signs," he said.
Mr Roche said the economic loss to the community by the low dole was reflected in barbers missing out because he had not had a paid haircut for years.
The Australian Council of Social Service is campaigning for Newstart to rise by $75 a week and indexation to wage and price movements.
Chief executive Cassandra Goldie said there was widespread support for an increase but she believes politicians prefer to hit out at dole recipients to take pressure off themselves and they were scared of a Murdoch media backlash.
