INDIGENCE

a state of extreme poverty or destitution
SYN - need, pauperism, penury
"Their indigence appalled him."

A level of poverty in which real hardship and deprivation are suffered and comforts of life are wholly lacking

"It was during this period of indigence that they had asked for his help, but now that they were once again on their feet and doing fine they wanted him gone from their lives."

"How do you deal with such indigence when you are faced with such an easy option of suicide."

"The criminal acts were condemned by the suburban upper-class folk who had no understanding of what it was like to live in this indigence."