Now that I work at the welfare office, this show makes no sense

[TVFactFan]

For example, Gurdy Vincent who had to resort to eating pet food could have went to the welfare office and received emergency food stamps because she was over 65 and income was under the limit. She also would have qualified for ongoing food stamps since she was elderly and struggling to pay utilities.


Unless it wasn't a such thing as emergency food stamps in 1974

[Wawwie]

Good point! There had to be emergency food stamps in 1974.

I've been watching the Good Times marathon tonight too. Right now, it's the "Lunch Money" episode which was pretty good.

When the "Dinner Party" episode was on, my dad laughed so much when J.J. was saying grace... "the lord is my German shepherd..."

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Wawwie

Good point! There had to be emergency food stamps in 1974.

I've been watching the Good Times marathon tonight too. Right now, it's the "Lunch Money" episode which was pretty good.

When the "Dinner Party" episode was on, my dad laughed so much when J.J. was saying grace... "the lord is my German shepherd..."

And why would a elderly who is single be turned away and not given any assistance?

[TVFactFan]

And yes the Evans would have been eligible for cash assistance since James was making minimum wage and didnt have any resources. With the household size being 5

[Wawwie]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

And yes the Evans would have been eligible for cash assistance since James was making minimum wage and didnt have any resources. With the household size being 5

I don't think James wanted any kind of government assistance.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Wawwie

I don't think James wanted any kind of government assistance.

Well his ass shouldnt have been in a bad mood then

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Wawwie

I don't think James wanted any kind of government assistance.

watching the alaska episode and was laughing at the fact that he was about to take everyone out to dinner............with what money??

He was just snapping at the guy who tried to sell him cemetary plots and once he got that call about the alaska job he suddenly had money to treat himself and his family to dinner lol Did he have a credit card or something lol

[PracTz]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

watching the alaska episode and was laughing at the fact that he was about to take everyone out to dinner............with what money??

He was just snapping at the guy who tried to sell him cemetary plots and once he got that call about the alaska job he suddenly had money to treat himself and his family to dinner lol Did he have a credit card or something lol

Perhaps James had worked as a dishwasher/table busser in a swanky restaurant- and thought somehow that fact alone would have made the owner beholden to comp him one free fancy meal for his entire family (and Willona).

One can't say that the Evanses had the best fiscal sense of planning.

[magellan333]

I’ve wondered how SSI even knew Gertie was giving singing lessons. Did she call them up after each one so they knew to deduct $1 from her check?

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by magellan333

I’ve wondered how SSI even knew Gertie was giving singing lessons. Did she call them up after each one so they knew to deduct $1 from her check?

exactly, how would they know about under the table money? And she would instantly qualified for foodstamps since she was elderly and had limited income


episode made no sense

[Chocolate Moose]

this is entertainment, people - not real life!

[magellan333]

Originally Posted by Chocolate Moose

this is entertainment, people - not real life!

As a senior forum member, surely you realize part of the reason these boards exist is so that we can pick apart and analyze shows. It’s like getting more bang for the buck when it comes to the fun and entertainment the shows offer.

[GentlemanJim]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

For example, Gurdy Vincent who had to resort to eating pet food could have went to the welfare office and received emergency food stamps because she was over 65 and income was under the limit. She also would have qualified for ongoing food stamps since she was elderly and struggling to pay utilities.


Unless it wasn't a such thing as emergency food stamps in 1974

I am by no means an expert, but I was a working adult in 1974, and had several friends who were not working, and this is what I recall:

Back in the day if you were a man and did not have a bonafide physical disability, you were not going to get welfare. Further, if you were female, you needed un-emancipated dependent children to get benefits. A "welfare mama" in other words.

As far as your real world job today goes, do you customarily award food stamps to individuals receiving social security retirement benefits? As I recall from about 10 years ago, in order to get $250/month in foodstamps, you had to have like next to no resources of any kind. If you had over $400/month coming in in any form, they started shrinking the amount of food stamps you were eligible for, and the drop off was steep (bear in mind this is for individuals without children)

[GentlemanJim]

Originally Posted by magellan333

As a senior forum member, surely you realize part of the reason these boards exist is so that we can pick apart and analyze shows. It’s like getting more bang for the buck when it comes to the fun and entertainment the shows offer.

Although he/she didn't say it very well, I think what Chocolate Moose was referring to is that we are talking about a "plot device"...a hardship created by the writers solely to feed the story.

Sorta like asking why detective Fish didn't just wear Depends, and avoid all those urgent moments at the restroom door.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by GentlemanJim

I am by no means an expert, but I was a working adult in 1974, and had several friends who were not working, and this is what I recall:

Back in the day if you were a man and did not have a bonafide physical disability, you were not going to get welfare. Further, if you were female, you needed un-emancipated dependent children to get benefits. A "welfare mama" in other words.

As far as your real world job today goes, do you customarily award food stamps to individuals receiving social security retirement benefits? As I recall from about 10 years ago, in order to get $250/month in foodstamps, you had to have like next to no resources of any kind. If you had over $400/month coming in in any form, they started shrinking the amount of food stamps you were eligible for, and the drop off was steep (bear in mind this is for individuals without children)

Gurdy Vincent would be eligible in 2019 because her income was below the limit for one person and she was elderly. She would have ongoing stamps due to having no resources and limited income