LAURIE HIRST insists he is not doing it tough. The 61-year-old pensioner has only about $430 a fortnight to spend on himself after paying rent and that has to cover the medical bills to treat his osteoarthritis and glaucoma.

Having already gone blind in his right eye, he has had to have a transplant in his left eye to hold on to his remaining vision.

But ask him what a one-off payment of $1400 would mean to pensioners and there is little hesitation. Mr Hirst, a Salvation Army volunteer and tenancy representative for senior residents around his home in Artarmon, said that Christmas was when the elderly struggled the most.

"I really have no problems - I'm not a drinker, you never see me at a TAB and I live a pretty frugal life," he said.

"But I know this one-off payment over Christmas will be a godsend for many people. You have to understand that it's coming to the time when a lot of the bills start to arrive, things like electricity and phone bills and the water, too, and I would imagine that those things will eat up a lot of the $1400."

Mr Hirst said he has been involved in the recent campaign to increase the age and disability pensions. But while paying the bills was important, he said pensioners suffered most in terms of their mental health and family relationships.

"This grant is virtually a Christmas bonus," he said. "Even though it is only a one-off payment, over the Christmas period it will help no end. This is the time of year that people will want to travel to be with their families and if that involves rail or catching a plane, the cost can be quite restrictive.

"It might be the first time people see their relatives in many years. I deal with one pensioner who is flying to North Queensland to see his family. Now usually that would involve penny-pinching over a loaf of bread over the next couple of months or perhaps not being able to buy presents for the grandchildren."