Sharyn Lacey keeps busy, despite not being able to find full-time work for over five years.

The 52-year-old mum, who lives in public housing in Bent Street, Warrawong, helped set up the community vegetable garden in Todd Street and continues to work on it, and has had some casual work.

"I did a totem pole as a community arts project at Port Kembla," she said.

"I was paid for a while to set up the community garden but I'm a volunteer now. I volunteer for Interchange Illawarra, which is a respite service for people with disabilities."

Ms Lacey, who receives Newstart allowance, said she was managing to make ends meet a few months ago.

"I was paying my bills and had food on the table but now I've noticed the same money is only lasting me a week. My gas bill has almost doubled. My circumstances haven't changed and I haven't used any more gas.

"The cost of living has gone up and people on Newstart haven't kept up with that cost of living ... sometimes I don't eat three meals a day."

Ms Lacey said she was in a catch-22 situation - she held plenty of qualifications, including a Diploma in Welfare, certificates in alcohol and drugs work and disabilities and a Diploma of Fine Arts, but couldn't get a job because she did not have a driver's licence.

"If I could get enough driving practice up to get my driver's licence I could probably get a job, but I can't afford lessons."