$500 & $12k Five Direct Payments Coming Across the Entire US in 2023
Five states across the country have shared plans to combat inflation and rising costs of living, and have launched programs to help residents. These programs aim to help a wide range of people, including low-income families, parents, artists, youth, and seniors.
To cope with the escalating costs, the city of Alexandria is spending $3 million on a program called “ARISE,” which will provide $500 a month for people experiencing financial hardship. To qualify, residents must enter a lottery to determine if they are eligible.
According to a published post by The US Sun, applicants must also live at or below the city median income, which is $71,150 per year for a family of four. The program will make these funds available to 175 randomly selected beneficiaries who will receive these monthly payments over 24 months.
Direct Payments Begin in January.
Canek Aguirre, a member of the board of directors, told 7News: “As the name implies, ARISE, we are trying to lift people. Residents of Cook County, Illinois will also be able to enter a lottery that will bring them a $500 payout, this time over two years. WTTW attended a town event where Cook County Councilmember Toni Preckwinkle discussed the program.
“This is the largest guaranteed income pilot project in the country, $42 million,” she said. “We will have 3,250 participants over two years in the pilot program.” The program is scheduled to be an ongoing event, with funding coming from county cannabis sales.
The town of Evanston is also launching a guaranteed pilot program this year that offers 150 residents a $500 payment over 12 months. Residents are randomly selected but must meet certain requirements, including at or below 250% of the federal poverty level, and fall into three categories: between the ages of 18 and 24, over 64, or an undocumented member of the community.
