The article says the kid tried looking into Social Security for the Blind, but "couldn't figure it out". And I guarantee you that plenty of entitlements and government grants of all sorts, especially welfare type ones, go unclaimed, because the would-be beneficiary doesn't even know about it, can't figure it out, or attempted and failed on some paperwork technicality.
I've been on federal entitlements of various types for over 20 years, and let me tell you, the paperwork and reporting requirements are onerous, and they advertise extremely punitive penalties if you don't comply. It's basically a part time job to gather up all the necessary proof of income, assets, employment, medical records, etc. and fill out the necessary forms, and then get it all filed in the right place at the right time before the deadline. And the agencies will do their best to lose all that and mess it up on their end, so you need to constantly be second-guessing them.
I'll tell you, it's far easier to go beg what you need from a charity like the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Technically, they also have income limits and other qualifications, but they're not going to put you through a scene from Brazil just to get your rent paid in an emergency.