Those are just the tip of the assumption iceberg.
Regarding your contention about debilitating illness, you're correct. The more likely scenario is that you are in an accident that puts you out of work for 6-8 weeks and from which you incur large medical bills. Get behind on payments, lose your credit, etc. same could be said of any dependents you have - premature baby, illness, or accident. When your primary source of income is minimum wage, you're on thin ice.
Like I said, could happen but unlikely.