More on my friend who lost her food stamps.

[IdaBriggs]

61. Financially they are getting out what they are supposed to, plus

Some help with medical. Social security was and is not supposed to be all of retirement - it is supposed to supplement it. In theory, she is supposed to have paid off a home at this point (but would still have maintenance costs, etc.). Apparently she made adequate money such that she didn't feel a need to change careers to make more and now, since she didn't put other money away (most likely because she did what most of us do and lived paycheck to paycheck) she is screwed.

Now she has to cope. As I said, in prior generations she would not be living alone. Privacy is expensive. She cannot afford it. She is getting what she was promised, and bluntly, the current administration is not going to help her.

Being old is not going to save her from dealing with the current reality. I wish there were better answers, but if she didn't save money for her old age, I don't know of many people who will give it to her unless they are family.