Subsistence level is a term that refers to the minimum amount of sustenance necessary to maintain life. As such, it embodies concepts such as poverty, scarcity, scarcity of resources, deprivation, and minimum wage. Some of the synonyms for subsistence level include bare minimum, basic needs, livelihood, survival level, sustenance, poverty line, and poverty threshold. These concepts are often associated with low income, minimum-standard living, and underdeveloped nations or communities. The term subsistence level is useful in policy making, as it helps to identify the minimum level of social support required for individuals to live decently.