$5.5k annually, even in the US, is still enough money to devote a few hours per week on a paid hobby project. I'm actually working on a side-project app right now, and if it makes >5.5k/year I'd be fairly pleased.
Not enough to survive on, but as a sideline business that isn't terrible money as long as it doesn't consume 40 hours/week.
Are you really surviving on $5,500 annually?