Extra staff are being brought in to help clear a backlog of more than a million welfare claims that are yet to be processed.

Australians have been waiting months for access to support payments.

Financial Counsellors Association CEO Fiona Guthrie told Gary Adshead on 6PR Mornings there are thousands waiting on payments.

“Those people then turn to emergency relief services, sometimes try to borrow money from friends or family , and sometimes even worse,” Ms Guthrie said.

Press PLAY to hear more about the massive Centrelink backlog