Toowoomba charities, not-for-profit organisation concerned JobSeeker cut will lead to surge in residents needing help

Payments for thousands of Toowoomba residents will be cut by $100 a fortnight, in a move many charities say will lead to many people needing extra support to make ends meet.

The Federal Government has cut the coronavirus supplement for the JobSeeker payment to just $150 a fortnight. (AAP Image/James Ross)

Community services organisations across Toowoomba are bracing for a new wave of people needing food and support, after JobSeeker payments across the country were cut again by the Federal Government.

Recipients of the unemployment benefit saw the coronavirus supplement of $250 dropped to just $150, and this will drop to nothing after March.

Lifeline Darling Downs CEO Derek Tuffield said organisations and groups had already experienced a huge uptake in people requiring support in the form of food or other essential items across 2020, especially during the past month.

“With adults and children, more than 2000 people received some sort of assistance (over Christmas) — it’s up 20 per cent on last year,” he said.

“With the cutback, it’s going to absolutely have a devastating impact on the people who have the payments reduced.

“It’s going to be a constant battle on making ends meet.

“The welfare agencies will need to be looking at taking the slack in terms of providing individual support.

“I would expect we’ll start to the see the impacts within the seven to 14 days.”

Lifeline Darling Downs and South West CEO Derek Tuffield. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Mr Tuffield said Lifeline had plenty of food available, and other organisations were ready to help people out who might need assistance for the first time.

“Again, the balancing act will be that they’ll need to reach out to the charities,” he said.

“For us, it’s about then doing it on a rotation basis, so Lifeline provides it one time and the next time it’s someone else – you rotate through.”

For assistance, call Lifeline on 1300 991 443.