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Objective: To describe the functional state, socio-economic status, and environmental situation of a very poor elderly (older than 65 years old) population in Argentina, and its relationship with their autonomy. Methods: This was a descriptive and prospective study , the applied instrument was the Spanish Red Cross Scales. The above mentioned evaluation was completed by applying a second instrument for social evaluation described by Marin et al in Chile in 1994. Besides, other general information was collected from the studied population such as: environmental, family, and social conditions. A group of inhabitants of a shanty town was evaluated. Statistical analysis was based on Chi- square test, while Student t test or non parametrics one were applied on the data depending on their distribution. Results: A sample of 219 people, with a mean value age of 69 ± 6 years old, was functionally evaluated using the Spanish Red Cross Scale, being the obtained data classified by age (less or older than 75 years old), education, income, and gender. There was no statistical difference between both age groups in any scale value (p=NS, ANOVA-Bonferroni). Conclusion: No significant difference was found in the functional state, capability for performing daily life activities, cognitive state among the studied people depending on their age, gender, educational level and economic income. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]