Monthly $500 Guaranteed Basic Income checks: Who qualifies and when do they start?
Some US residents will be able to obtain a check for $500 a month thanks to the Guaranteed Basic Income Program. Find out if you qualify for the assistance.
The US has a large number of economic programs dedicated to helping the sector of the population that needs it most; that is, those with limited resources.
Many of these economic relief programs are federal, while others are administered at the state level. Such is the case of the Guaranteed Basic Income Programs, which are available in certain states of the nation. Through these, it is possible to offer monthly payments of $500 to low-income families.
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Monthly $500 Guaranteed Basic Income checks: Who qualifies and when do they start?
California
In the state of California, the deadline to request payments was in April. However, the payments will begin to be issued as of June, on a monthly basis, for one year. According to Univisión, only 125 families were selected. Among the requirements to have been eligible are: to be living within El Monte, be a single woman, head of household or without a partner, as well as having dependents from 0 to 17 years of age and have an income below the federal poverty line.
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Minnesota
Minneapolis residents are also receiving monthly payments of $500 for two years beginning June 2022, which means payments end in 2024.
Unlike the residents of El Monte; California, 200 households were selected here. Among the requirements to be selected in Minneapolis: to be living in certain zip codes of the city, being 18 years old before January 1, 2022, and have an annual income of less than 50 percent of the median income of the city, as well as having been affected by the covid-19 pandemic.
Texas
Harris County, Texas, has been one of the most recent to approve this financial relief. The measure was approved on June 6 and will offer monthly payments of $500 over an 18-month period. Because the program was announced relatively recently, it is expected that the requirements will change and be announced in the coming weeks.
New York
In New York, the city of Rochester recently approved the guaranteed basic income program that will benefit 351 households.
The program will give participants $500 monthly payments for one year, with no strings attached. The American Rescue Plan Act will provide funding for the program.
Applicants must be age 18 or older, a Rochester resident for at least one year, must have a household income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level, and must live in a qualified census tract. Only one person per household can take part in the program.
The application period will begin at 10 a.m. on June 22, and will run until 11:59 p.m. on June 29.