INCOME BOOST: Americans could get monthly $1,000 payments for a year starting next month – can you apply?

A MUCH needed boost will be coming in the form of monthly cash payments. Austin, Texas, is one step closer to becoming the latest city to offer a guaranteed income pilot program. Austin City Council approved the plan in May but this week agreed to expand it to offer monthly money to 135 families. The city is working with UpTogether, an organization aimed at helping the community achieve success. Contracts are being finalized but the city council said 135 families will be chosen to receive $1,000 a month for one year.

Who is eligible?

The Austin City Council sent a memo outlining the eligibility process. Participants will be considered if they meet all of the following criteria:

• Live within the city of Austin and Travis County limits

• Applicant must be at least 18 years old

• Have a household income at or below 60% of the area median family. For example, it would be $66,180 for a household of four.

• Did not receive funding through UpTogether’s previous 12-month pilot from March 2021-March 2022

In addition, participants must meet one of the following:

• Moving from homelessness toward permanent housing

• Have a filed eviction

• Household has been behind on rent for two or more months over the past year; and/or

• Household has received a verbal or written notice of intent to evict or a threat to vacate by landlord or property manager at any time within the past three months due to nonpayment of rent

Organizers plan to identify and onboard participants this month. Households can receive their first payment in September.

Prior success in Austin

The Austin City Council explained that UpTogether led its own pilot program from March 2021 to March 2022. For that program, 173 households received $1,000 a month for one year. UpTogether reported:

• All the participants used the money for basic needs like rent or mortgage payments, utilities, food, clothing, household items and transportation.

• 48% of the participants were able to reduce debt.

• 39% of the participants increased their savings.

• The employment rate among the participants increased from 56% to 67%.

Guaranteed income in the US

There are dozens of cities and states offering guaranteed income. Some programs help a few dozen people, while others help thousands. The common thread throughout all the programs: recurring monthly payments for a set amount of time for eligible individuals.

There are no strings attached. The Sun has a complete list of programs throughout the US. We explain four things you need to know about stimulus payments in 2022 and beyond. Plus, see how families with kids under 13 could get a surprise stimulus payment of $8,000. *Sun