I have to disagree. Substance abuse and hard times are the same thing, because substance abuse is caused by stress. Usually when we give poor people money, they significantly decrease their spending on drugs and alcohol.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/poverty-homelessness-and...

Mental health issues can also be alleviated with money. Regardless of what issues a person is facing, they will function better if they don't have to cope with the stress of poverty.