As someone who comes from "the lower half" (as opposed to you) I can assure you that times are no where near that bad.
How much money do you recieve? And do you live with your parents?
I don't "recieve" any money. I do not live with my parents.
So how is it you do not perish without any income?
I have attained a certain level of financial independence, but I won't say how, becuase I don't believe it to be any of your business. Before that, I earned my money working and I have still worked through college doing various things.