There are different levels of poverty that vary drastically in quality of life, and are highly dependent on what region you live in.

Being poor basically anywhere in Europe is a lot easier than being poor in America. Being poor in a state like California or New York is going to be easier than being poor in Oklahoma or Alabama.

Different regions have different local governments that have a huge impact on the social safety network afforded to the working poor and the disabled.

In my experience, I haven't known very many poor people who weren't disabled that had a lot of extra free time on their hands. Good habits are hard to keep when you work two to three jobs 6-7 days a week to make a wage that barely pays the bills.