For many people from Brabant, the summer is more sober than other years. Due to increasingly expensive groceries, expensive petrol and high energy bills, we have to pay more and more attention to the little ones. Loena (22) from Oisterwijk has to survive on social assistance benefits. She didn’t have it wide before the enormous inflation, but because of the increased prices it has become even more difficult.
What are you running into now that everything has become so much more expensive?
When I see what I pay for groceries, it is always shocking what I have to pay. I live accompanied in an apartment at ‘t Schop in Oisterwijk. The rent and energy are paid under the Long-Term Care Act. I pay all other expenses such as insurance, telephone bill, TV subscription and groceries from my social assistance benefit. That is 362 euros per month.
That money goes entirely to fixed costs. I have nothing left to do fun things. I find that very difficult. My father manages my finances and sometimes he helps out. But it is not the intention that he has to do that every month.
You really have to make ends meet, how did it turn out?
I have myotonic dystrophy. This is a hereditary muscle disease that gets worse and does not heal. I notice it well on my hands. I have less muscle strength and little air in my lungs. I have had the disease since birth and have been examined for years. I was only diagnosed in 2014.
What does this mean for you in everyday life?
I can only work a maximum of four hours a day and then not consecutively. So I can’t get a job, I’ll go to a daytime activity. I now receive social assistance benefits because my Wajong application has already been rejected three times. Wajong is a benefit for young people who have contracted an illness or handicap before turning eighteen and are therefore no longer able to work. A Wajong is a bit more than what I get now and then I might be able to save some money. Now everything is gone at the end of the month. I am not allowed to save anything from my social assistance benefit. So putting money aside for fun things is not possible.
What should you leave now that life has become so expensive?
I leave the tasty things in the store. I no longer buy cookies and candies. I also love going to Efteling. But when people ask me to go with them, I just say no. Otherwise I won’t get out at the end of the month.
Are there other fun things you can do?
I am always happy when money is deposited, then I can buy something again. Sometimes I buy something for myself, a piece of jewelry at the HEMA or something to spoil myself. I sometimes buy clothes at Primark, because that can still be done.
Every Friday I meet with my neighbor. Then we buy goodies and share the costs. We do that today too. We bought baguettes and salads. We’re trying to make something of it.
How do you view the future?
I find that very difficult, because I don’t know how the disease progresses. That is confrontational. It is now stable but the disease is also progressive. That means it will get worse in the future. It’s not that I lie awake at night worrying, but I do worry about it a lot. I also check my account every day to see how I’m doing.
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