GREAT CALL Jill and John., Back in 1943 my Dad supported us with a social security check of $250. Of cource we grew our on veg. and cattle and we had a milk cow and chickens also horses. They went to Baton Rouge Louisiana and once a month and bought $ 20 of grocery and we survived ( that was 5 people ,dad mom me and two sister. WE did not have running water, indoor bathroom or electricity, fans, radio,telephone or tv. Mom cook on a wood stove and we had fireplaces in bedroom for heat in winter. We finally got electricity in 1948. today I get around $2300 retirement and live pay to paycheck. I retired From La, Dept. of Correction in 2007.