Adjust the poverty line in respect to inflation, pay rate, and age.

For a single person the poverty level is $12,000. So if an individual gets $15000 they do not qualify, regardless of it being before or after taxes. Based on recommened ranges for basic living costs, rent/mortgage, food, utlities, insurance, transportation (if they own a car), and basic needs such as clothing, they would have $100 to work with after all those are paid. If they are a college graduate that $100 wouldn't even cover student loan repayments. If they have a medical emergency of any kind it won't be fully covered, even under the most basic of insurances, and that $100 would not cover those costs. Based on their income level they also would not qualify for medical assistance to help pay for those bills. This needs to be adjusted based on current costs of living and inflation.