A study from The Salvation Army Canada reveals single parent families are facing the most hardship when it comes to affording basic needs.

Out of the over 1,500 Canadians surveyed, 25 per cent feared they could not stretch their earnings enough to cover basics like food and housing.

When asked the same question, 40 per cent of single parent families reported facing affordability issues.

Nearly 45 per cent of single parents say they’ve had to skip or reduce meal portions because they had trouble affording groceries. That’s compared to 21 per cent of Canadians who say they face the same struggle.

Thirty-one per cent of those surveyed worry about their financial future, with over 40 per cent saying their finances are causing them to struggle with their mental health.