On Tuesday, unemployed New Zealander Carla realised she didn't have enough food or fuel to make it through the week.
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Her weekly budget of $NZ128 after rent was stretched. Insurance, internet and overdraft payments - each $30 - made it a tough week.
The hospitality worker, who only wanted to be known as Carla, has been on benefits for three months after losing a bar job.
"My car broke down and I couldn't get to work," she told AAP. "So I'm looking at the moment, for anything really."
Carla and her 20-year-old son have just moved from Henderson, in Auckland's far west, to a new suburb closer to her son's steady warehouse job in Papatoetoe, southeast Auckland.
Carla needed money during the move and visited government social services provider Work and Income New Zealand for a hardship grant, which are approved by case officers based on an in-person assessment.
The process, and the fact she didn't know how else she could afford to eat, made her fearful of visiting WINZ.
"Good people work at WINZ but other people there make you feel like scum," she told AAP.
"They're supposed to help us. Not make us feel like bludgers."
On Wednesday night, Carla set an early alarm before going to bed.
She planned to visit Auckland Action Against Poverty, a volunteer organisation set up to support struggling Kiwis.
Carla lined up outside their office at 7.30am to make sure she was seen when the advocates arrived at 10am.
"The wait is worthwhile because you know WINZ is more likely to treat you better," she said.
"It's easier and more welcoming. It feels like a community, you can meet people in the line and learn about what they need too."
With the advocate's help, she fills out some paperwork and visits the WINZ office, just around the corner, where fewer than half the desks are attended and there are no seats left in the waiting area.
Her case manager surveys the case note, listens to Carla and then to her advocate, who asks for her total in grants. It is around $4000, and she is paying off at less than $20 a week.
She then presents her teal-coloured card to be topped up. "People like me call it the Gold Card," she laughs.
When Carla is told she is getting $100, her eyes well up. Outside, she explains why: "It was because he approved me without embarrassing me."
She also says what she's going to cook for dinner, thanking her advocate before heading off. "Steak, mushrooms and eggs! And potatoes that I can make into chips."
* One NZ dollar = 92 Australian cents
Australian Associated Press
