The Great Depression negatively affected the majority of the Maycomb community. The dire economic situation has greatly affected the families that belong to Maycomb's lower class. The Ewells were considered one of the poorest families in Maycomb County; they regularly relied on welfare money to survive. While Tom Robinson is on the witness stand, he mentions that he frequently assisted Mayella Ewell with household chores whenever she asked him for help. When Judge Taylor asks if he was ever paid for his services, Tom says that he refused to take money from Mayella because he knew that her family did not have the money. Mayella did not have the convenience of paying another person to assist her, and Tom became her regular volunteer. The Great Depression could have possibly affected Mayella and her father's chances of finding employment. If Mayella had the extra money to pay another person, other than Tom Robinson, to help her with chores, Tom would not be in this precarious situation. Therefore, the Great Depression indirectly influenced the actions of Tom Robinson to assist Mayella Ewell without accepting payment, making him Mayella's premier helper.