https://www.lawinsider.com/dictionary/person-
in-need
person in need means a person whose 
requirements for basic needs, special needs 
and employment services as prescribed in the 
Regulations exceed the income, assets and 
other resources available to that person as 
determined pursuant to the Regulations;
 (not quite the same but this is anyway less 
ambiguous than "needy person")

I read the kotobank entries a little closer 
and I think this is better. e.g. daijs -自立支
援制度: 経済的に困窮し、_生活保護に至る可能性のある人
_を対象に、i.e. they are not yet at the stage 
of econonic hardship where they qualify for 
economic assistance, as I understand it. so 
"destitute" is maybe going a little too far. 
same here:
https://www.mizuho-
ir.co.jp/publication/report/2018/mhir15_konky
u_01.html
1.生活困窮者とは
生活困窮者―つまり支援対象者―の定義は、法第2条において
「現に経済的に困窮し、最低限度の_生活を維持することが
できなくなるおそれのある者_」（1）と規定されているのみ
で、具体的な要件等は明示されていない。 (my emphasis)

@@ -12,7 +12,3 @@
-<gloss>needy person</gloss>
-<gloss>destitute person</gloss>
-<gloss>person living in poverty</gloss>
-</sense>
-<sense>
-<pos>&n;</pos>
-<gloss>person struggling to lead a normal (healthy) life</gloss>
+<field>&law;</field>
+<gloss>person in need</gloss>
+<gloss>person facing economic hardship</gloss>

I'll make that a second sense.

@@ -14,0 +15,4 @@
+</sense>
+<sense>
+<pos>&n;</pos>
+<gloss>person struggling to lead a normal (healthy) life</gloss>

I saw this uses to describe "self-neglecters,” 
who weren't necessarily poor (many had full-
time employment). it also includes people like 
hikikomori where money often isn't the most 
acute peoblem. "make a living" just means 
"earn money", of course, so it wasn't ideal 
either, come to think of it.
how does something like "person struggling to 
lead a normal (healthy) life" sound?

gg5, reverso examples

"(poor and) needy" looks like an adjective gloss. Could add the definite article but probably best to stick to the singular form.

@@ -12 +12 @@
-<gloss>(poor and) needy</gloss>
+<gloss>needy person</gloss>
@@ -14 +14 @@
-<gloss>person struggling to make a living (due to poverty, etc.)</gloss>
+<gloss>person living in poverty</gloss>