I don't actually know what the American work environment is like or exactly what social services operate there, so I thought it would be interesting to see others' thoughts on this.
I'm studying fulltime as an undergrad, taking interest-free government loans to pay for my degree (which costs A$5000 per semester or $30,000 for the full run). That degree should lead into an occupation which a google search tells me could pays average of A110,000 p.a., though entry level jobs seem to typically pay about A$60-70,000. Anecdotally I've heard that getting a first job in the industry is hard, but jobs are easier to get with job experience. I have some relevant volunteering and internships under my belt, so I'm not too worried about getting a job with enough effort, especially if I'm willing to move to some random country town.
As I was starting Uni, I didn't really try looking for work. I did randomly apply to one job, and was invited to an interview where I was hired pretty much on the spot.
Now I work in a factory for a medium-sized company. It's an unskilled no-prerequisites job. I work 7:30-4:30 with 45 minutes of break, two days a week normally and fulltime over the early summer. I currently get paid A$27 (US$18) an hour (essentially the lowest they can pay me in the award system), which nets out to about A$400 a week, or about A$1000 (US$700) a week fulltime. $900 after superannuation. This rises yearly with inflation. Though I and coworkers never get promotions, it's a very relaxed work environment and I've never found myself working hard.
Rent is expensive, and I and most of my uni friends still live with parents. If I was living away from home I'd get a few hundred dollars a week welfare. It's Australia so free or subsidised emergency care, therapy, screening, surgery, medicine et cetera. No free ambulance unfortunately.
I have a cousin in North Carolina working hard for something like eight dollars an hour. If I was paid that much, I think I'd just die.