WIMMERA pensioners are struggling to afford the cost of living after eligibility changes earlier this year.
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About 2700 people in Mallee lost some or all of their pension after asset and eligibility changes on January 1.
Wimmera Australians in Retirement has lobbied Member for Mallee Andrew Broad about the issue, believing more needed to be done to help pensioners.
Branch chairman Lyall Wheaton said it was now near impossible for a person to live on a single pension.
“When there is a couple on the pension, they can manage satisfactory,” he said.
“But when a person loses their partner, they are reduced to a single pension.
“However the cost of car insurance, rates, electricity and house insurance for instance, doesn’t change.
“It is much harder for a person to afford the cost of living.”
Mr Wheaton said the branch met with Mr Broad about the issue.
“Mr Broad has promised to lobby Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison about the pension rate for single pensioners,” he said.
Mr Wheaton said Mr Broad agreed that it needed to be looked at.
“Mr Broad acknowledged the concerns of single pensioners and said he would raise the issue with Mr Morrison,” he said.
“The government need to be made aware of the problem.
“We might not have a chance at changing the pension rates, but people need to know about it.”
Mr Wheaton said members also discussed a range of issues with Mr Broad including the difficulty attracting doctors to rural towns, the condition of rural roads, public transport, and the federal budget.