I grew up on VA and SS survivor's benefits (my dad died in the military). We never considered it government subsistence; my father paid for it with his life. It was a very small income. At the time, I know my mom juggled paying bills (she called it robbing Peter to pay Paul.) Each month she paid every bill but one (mortgage was excluded from this lottery.) But she raised us, got 3 of 5 of us through college and on our own. She was a good woman and I think she did just fine.