The Salvation Army released its latest National Economic and Social Impact Survey today.

The survey, which involved 2406 participants across Australia, found that 88 per cent of people who sought emergency help from the Salvos relied on income support payments and 59 per cent reported a physical or mental health problem that stopped them from working.

It also found that 87 per cent were unable to afford five or more essential items each week.

Maitland Salvation Army Major Ian Channell said he was not surprised by the report’s findings.

While there were not Hunter-specific figures he told the Mercury that, anecdotally, the situation for people in crisis in Maitland reflected the national figures.

Major Channell said many who sought help were single mothers.

He said there were many reasons that people hit crisis point financially.

Major Channell said Maitland’s high unemployment rate, which was about 10 per cent last month, was a key compounding factor in the need for emergency help in the Hunter.

He said the mining downturn meant that people in well-paying positions were losing their jobs and were left with large mortgages that they could not afford to pay.

“I saw a couple [in their 40s] a few months ago, they had no kids and he worked in the mines but he lost his job,” he said.

“They had to sell everything, and I mean everything. 

“They even sold their washing machine and were hand washing their clothes.

“He was understandably depressed and they were struggling with a lot of issues.

“Their world fell apart, my heart breaks for them.”

The Salvation Army provides emergency relief to about 160,000 people who are suffering hardship each year.

Snapshot of the average person who accessed Salvation Army emergency help:

88 per cent relied on income support

35 per cent received NewStart allowance

59 per cent reported physical/mental health issues that prevented them from working

76 per cent rented accommodation – average $180 per week rent

Average $17.86 per day left to live on after essential expenses

87 per cent of adults unable to afford five or more essential items

41 per cent of adults unable to afford 11 or more essential items

60 per cent of children unable to afford five or more essential items