A low wage worker says there is no incentive to get off the benefit.

A struggling solo mum in Blenheim is only $34 better off a week since she came off the benefit and got a job.

The 48-year-old said Marlborough's low wage economy meant it was harder for people to enter the workforce.

The early childhood teacher, who worked 29 hours a week, earned $21.90 an hour, just more than the living wage set at $19.25.

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"The Government is trying to get everyone off the benefit but there is no incentive to work."

She received $580 a week when she was on benefits looking after her three dependent children aged 10, 15 and 17.

Her new job, which she also juggled with studying for a bachelor in early childhood education, paid $614 a week after her student fees were taken out.

She missed qualifying for a working for family support benefit by one working hour.

From her pay packet, $350 a week went on her mortgage, $50 on power, and $40 on home and vehicle insurance.

It left $140 a week to spend on food, petrol and anything else for her and her children.

"We struggle but we survive.

"In Marlborough the gap between the low income and the high income is horrendous.

"The rich get richer and the poor get poorer."

According to the 2013 census data the median income in Marlborough was $27,900, compared with $28,500 for all of New Zealand.

Nearly 23 per cent of Marlburians aged 15 years and over had an annual income of more than $50,000, while 36 per cent earned $20,000 or less.

Ministry of Social Development figures showed those on main benefits in Marlborough had gone up slightly from 2237 in December 2014 to 2265 in December 2015.

During the same period those on job seeker support rose from 840 to 946.

"There is that stigma attached to being on the benefit and many believe that you are just a bludger," she said.

"Children are my passion. I wanted to better myself and get a job in early childhood education.

"I was shocked I was only $34 better off a week. I thought I would be $100 better off. That's huge when you are only earning $600 a week.

"We make do with what we have got. My children don't go without. We don't eat the flashest of foods but they get fresh fruit and vegetables.

"I am too proud to ask for help. It's really hard to say I don't have any money."

She received a couple of loaves of bread from John's Kitchen each week, sought out supermarket specials, did home baking and bottled fruit that was donated to her to cut costs.

The family shopped for second-hand clothes and Christmas presents were bought on layby.

She did not have any support from the Government towards her course fees and materials and relied on her $24,000 student loan.

"We don't have many treats. We are lucky if we have a takeaway every three months. It's not part of our budget.

"It's quite depressing, you just have to deal with it.

"The kids pick up on it. They are sick of being poor and having no money."

She would not give up her job to go back on the benefit.

"I love my job. It makes me feel rewarded."