Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Deb was enjoying a stable and fulfilling life when she was diagnosed with two terminal illnesses, which led to her giving up her job and selling her home. Two years later, she was left couch-surfing.
“People didn’t understand … I’m on the disability pension. There's out-of-pocket medical expenses that are not covered by the PBS. And I don’t get NDIS. I don’t have super. I don’t have savings.”
To find out more about how Australians are coping with cost-of-living pressures, watch the full Insight episode of Tough Times on SBS On Demand.
Deb was enjoying a stable and fulfilling life when she was diagnosed with two terminal illnesses, which led to her giving up her job and selling her home. Two years later, she was left couch-surfing.
“People didn’t understand … I’m on the disability pension. There's out-of-pocket medical expenses that are not covered by the PBS. And I don’t get NDIS. I don’t have super. I don’t have savings.”
To find out more about how Australians are coping with cost-of-living pressures, watch the full Insight episode of Tough Times on SBS On Demand.
