We have a similar problem here with welfare cheques. The amount hasn’t gone up with inflation over the years and it’s harder and harder to even live a frugal life with roommates on it now. Without other assistance you’ll probably end up homeless or go hungry.

Happened to a friend who fell on hard times.

And then once you are on it, the moment you do a tiny amount of work that earns a tiny amount of money they start clawing it back substantially. So you get a shitty job when you get back on your feet, but if they don’t give you enough hours you actually lose money, and they’ll often demand more than what your able do before clawbacks, putting you in the decision of can you even work this job as you’ll be homeless and starving if you do anyway.

Not propely increasing these social programs and/or means testing over decades is brutal.