Labor and the Coalition have both ruled out increasing Centrelink payments, despite desperate pleas from community groups and recipients. While the payments go up multiple times a year to keep pace with inflation, many feel it's nowhere near enough to match the rising cost of living.

Retiree Marge asked how older Aussies are meant to get by on the current Age Pension.

"How can the government expect us to believe that they know everyone is doing it tough when the latest pension increase for a couple equates to 25 cents per day each?" she said on the ABC program Q&A.

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"Every bill we pay has risen significantly... actions definitely speak louder than words in this situation."

She said after working for 50 years and paying her taxes, she shouldn't have to be so intensely focused on every dollar she spends in her twilight years.

Another Centrelink payment under the spotlight was JobSeeker, which recently went up by $3.10 per fortnight.

Economist Nicki Hutley told the programme that recent modelling revealed that investing an extra $1 in JobSeeker sees a $1.25 return in the community.

Do you have a Centrelink story? Email stew.perrie@yahooinc.com

"Now that is a very solid return on investment in terms of healthier people, lower government payments, better productivity. It is a win-win outcome," she said.

"They're living well below the poverty line, unable to afford rent in most places, meals, medicines, kids, educational needs.

“This is not acceptable."

She referenced the recent report from the government's Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee, which recommended increasing JobSeeker to 90 per cent of the Age Pension.

That would take the payment from the current $781.10 per fortnight to $942.39.

Yahoo Finance has spoken with several Centrelink recipients, who have all said the current payments are nowhere near enough.

Perth resident Damien said an extra $3.10 per fortnight wouldn't even buy two litres of milk.

"I just scoffed at it. I just feel like not accepting it. It's not going to do us any benefit at all," he said.

"We're supposed to be the lucky country."

Labor, Coalition reject increase in Centrelink payments

But politicians from the two major parties reaffirmed their view that the payment shouldn't be increased.