OK, I gotta ask: if they earn “less than the basic cost of living” then how are they alive?
In Maryland, if a family qualifies for one “benefit” they can almost automatically get about 8 other ones. Some, like free and reduced-price school lunches are very easy to get. I do not think that any of these “benefits” count as income for them. Thus the ridiculous poverty numbers when the people are living with smart phones, fancy shoes and huge TVs.