Hurstville Salvation Army Community Centre manager Maggie Ingham is seeing between 20 to 30 clients a month white collar workers who are either still working or have been made redundant.

``This group wasn't coming in this time last year,'' she said.

``There are between 15 to 20 applications each month from white collar workers for some type of assistance whether it is utilities or food.

``The top three types of assistance requested are for rental, clothing and linen and utilities.

``There is evidence white collar workers are being put off because of ongoing costs to employers, therefore they are accessing us in increasing numbers.

``A number are small business people whose businesses have failed and are seeking work while on Centrelink benefits.''

The centre is also seeing applications seeking rent assistance from families under threat of eviction.

``We are putting in five or six applications for rent assistance every week,'' she said.

``I've never seen it like this. Usually it about one to two a week.

``Staff are not able to meet the increased demand and in some cases are referring them on to other agencies.

``We saw a couple last week who were two weeks behind in their rent because both had been working for an agency in the health industry and both had been laid off.

``Because both have been working for an agency and are looking for work they are not able to apply for Centrelink at this stage.''

The centre is also seeing more single parents with children who are working and paying off the mortgage.

Mrs Ingham, a financial counsellor with the Salvos with 15 years experience, said she is booked out six weeks in advance.

``A lot of people are over-committed and have no way of dealing with it,'' she said.

``We go through tsunamis when something changes and it is too much for some people to cope.

``I think we are in another situation similar to the early 1990s where people had to pay 17 to 18 per cent interest rates.

``It is like the stock market. Every 10 years something happens that creates problems for people.''

The Salvation Army will has its annual Red Shield Appeal doorknock on May 24-June 1.