$1,000 monthly payments for mothers: can I request it with an extension after the deadline day?

A pilot program in New York City is offering monthly payments worth up to $1,000 per person for first-time mothers in the city. The initiative was introduced by The Bridge Project which is aiming to study the effects of universal basic income on low-income families.

The program began in July 2021 with 100 participants and on 1 April it was announced that another 500 expectant mothers would be added to the scheme. However the deadline to apply was Wednesday, 13 April and the program does not allow for extension requests.

Earlier this week The Bridge Project reported receiving more than 2,500 applications to be admitted as part of the second intake of participants. Those selected have to satisfy certain economic requirements that place them in the ‘low-income’ category of parents in the state.

Successful application for the first intake have an average household income of $14,500, putting them well below the federal poverty line, and 70% have less than $100 in savings. Roughly half of those involved are Black and half are Hispanic.

In related news: Earned income tax credit up to $6,728

What is the purpose of The Bridge Project’s study?

In explaining the program, the organisers describe the cash payments for mothers as “an investment in a woman, a child, and a community.”

Numerous studies have found that direct cash support is often the most effective tool to help people out of poverty. Rather than enforcing a specific parameters for the financial aid, as is the case with food stamps, monthly cash payments will allow recipients to spend it in whatever way suits them best.

This could involve purchasing food, buying school supplies, fixing a broken car, eliminating debts, paying for travel to a job interview, or a whole host of other vital financial needs that may be ignored by more prescriptive forms of financial support.

A statement from The Bridge Project makes clear: “Cash assistance today for mothers with young babies has the potential to allow a whole generation to separate from the toxic stresses of poverty, break intergenerational cycles, and provide the environment for children to grow into happy, healthy adults.”

Recipients will receive a payment every month of either $500 or $1,000 throughout the first three years of their child’s life. Different groups will receive the support in different payment structures to study how the cash assistance is best distributed. There will also be a control group of mothers in a similar socio-economic position to study how much of a difference the cash support has actually made.