No extra €5 as pensioners are left ‘worse off’’
THE Budget was “very disappointing”, according to a Jobseeker’s Allowance recipient who says he doesn’t get invited anywhere because everyone knows he doesn’t have the money to attend.
Andrew Cashman (53), from Tralee, said that he was disheartened by the €2-a-week increase he received in the Budget.
Budget 2020 saw some rises for social welfare recipients, with a €3 increase to Qualified Child Payment for over-12s and €2 for under-12s, a €5 increase to the Living Alone Allowance and a €15 boost for Jobseeker Transition.
Mr Cashman is not old enough to receive the Living Alone Allowance and the Jobseeker Transition is only for single parents, so the only increase he saw in the budget was €2 per week to his Fuel Allowance – and that was to offset increased carbon tax.
Mr Cashman, who has been on Jobseeker’s Allowance since 2008, said he will find it even more difficult to get by after Budget 2020. His already dwindling social life, he says, will become non-existent.
“I go from Monday to Monday without seeing a person, because everyone knows there is no way you can go and meet people free of charge,” he said. “I live alone, I’m always by myself. I do get depressed and lonely.”
He said general increases will make it harder. “Coal is gone up and fuel is gone up,” he said. “Everything seems to be hitting the ordinary guy.
“They blame Brexit for everything,” he added. “Even English people don’t blame Brexit for as much.”