It's been so long since I've been in this situation that everything is different now, but 20 years ago the trick to making money morally and legally without having a normal job was to diversify. You won't make $1k selling plasma or scrap, but you can make a few hundred. Busking is great in some areas if you can play an instrument or anything like that. Panhandling can be alright, but I've heard it's harder these days in person.
The moral AND legal part makes this a lot harder btw. Have you considered giving one of them up?