It is being poor. If you want to define 'poor' or poverty as the UN defines it, then fewer people than you would suppose would be classified 'poor'.
When one loses one's source of income, one loses one's security. One is then eligible for state and federal benefits --for most intents and purposes, one has become poor --though perhaps not a destitute pauper.
When one loses one's source of income, one loses one's security. One is then eligible for state and federal benefits --for most intents and purposes, one has become poor --though perhaps not a destitute pauper.