Low income? There are ways to get what you need....legally!
I just got home after spending much of the afternoon getting free and cheap stuff. Sure, I used money for some stuff. But more importantly, I used ways to get free services, too.
Just as you do research to find the right job, you can also do research to see what free services are in your community.
Here's an example from my day!
One terrific freebie I found was through Vision USA Foundation. Because of my very low income, I was approved through a application for a free vision test. To my surprise, I also qualified for new glasses, even progressive bifocals. I was treated with respect and received as good of care as any of the paying patients/customers. While there, I discovered that the local optometrist also does volunteer work with missions in other countries.
From there, I went to Goodwill and bought some cheap picture frames which will be used to frame some of my photos that I sell to make a little extra spending money.
Then I took a trip up to Michael's where I was able to buy $2.99 mats in a rainbow of colors. Later I'll run off some prints from my photos with a HP printer that one of my housemates gave me.
One more stop before I called it a night. I picked up my three month supply of generic hypertension medication, costing me a total of $9.
With these purchases today, along with the savings of a possible $400 worth of optical services, I believe I have spent my wad for the week...a full $41. Food day was yesterday when I was able to secure farm raised produce and dairy products from my daughter, in payment for a couple days of work on her farm. Yes, I spend some money. One would have a very difficult time living on charity, but there are services out there for low income people that need to be used if you need them. In a few weeks I'll get a free hearing test to see if I qualify for a free hearing aid through the North Carolina Department for the Hearing Disabled.
Lastly, if one has dental problems, check out local clinics where such services are available for discounted prices. A few weeks ago, I was provided with a new partial and had two teeth filled at a fraction of the cost I would have had to pay at a regular dental office. And the care I received was superb! The best dentist and assistants I've ever experienced.
There's an old saying that "God helps those who help themselves." Yes, it is preferable that everyone pay their own way. But if you can't, don't go without and suffer. Eat your pride, and seek a little charity. It benefits the giver and the receiver.