Many retirees and low-income seniors look to side hustles to stay financially afloat or simply feel productive. Driving for a delivery service, selling handmade goods online, or tutoring part-time all seem like harmless ways to pad your budget. After all, who wouldn’t want a little extra spending money or the satisfaction of earning on your own terms?
But in a financial system riddled with red tape, not all income is created equal. What looks like a modest bump in earnings can sometimes set off a cascade of unintended consequences, especially when it comes to income-based benefits like Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), SNAP, or housing assistance.
