There are more than 30,000 New Zealanders on benefits who are missing out on an extra $43 a week - just because of their age.
Even the Minister of Social Development admits the discrepancy is unfair - but has no immediate plans to fix it.
Autumn Brown is a kindergarten relief teacher. They have a disability and need Government support.
"I'm recovering from an eating disorder and I can't afford to recover because of my income," they said.
Brown claims Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ) even advised they cut their eating to cut costs.
"One of the funny ironic things is when WINZ asks you how you've managed to cut down costs they ask 'have you been eating less?' It's like, 'yes, I have but that's not healthy'," they said.
The Social Development Ministry disputes this saying there's no policy, practice or expectation clients eat or buy less food.
But Brown is certain they were told this.
"It's just really hard relying on Work and Income to survive," they said.
They are sharing their story because they believe the system is unfair. Because Brown is 20 years old, they get $43.56 less a week in support than others who are over 25.
"$50 would mean endless things. It may not seem like a lot but for someone on the poverty line it really does mean a lot," they said.
"I think that there is a level of unfairness. It's something that we should explore and it's something I'm committed to exploring," Social Development and Employment Minister Carmel Sepuloni said.
At last count, there were 173,130 Kiwis on Jobseeker support which includes people like Autumn because it includes disability support. And 33,720 of those are under 25 - they get the lesser amount just because of their age.
Despite admitting it's unfair - the minister won't fix it quickly.
"We need to be looking at that in the medium term which is the one to three-year programme," Sepuloni said.
"It's something that doesn't need much work and we do believe this can be done in the short term which is why we're fighting for an income guarantee after the election," said Green Party social development spokesperson Ricardo Menéndez March.
Sepuloni's to-do list is stacking up. She also needs to finally implement changes from a review of Working for Families.
Poverty campaigners have accused the Government of kicking the can down the road and keeping families trapped below the breadline.
"That work is still there, we're still working on it and it's something I hope to pick up in the future," Sepuloni said.
A future that'll likely be unveiled on the election campaign trail.
