Some residents in one Washington city could see an extra $500 in their bank accounts through a new program, according to KING 5.
If you live in certain areas of Tacoma, Washington, you may be eligible to get $500 monthly checks for a year. Applications opened for this guaranteed income program this week, and residents must live in Eastside, Hilltop, South Tacoma, and South End zip codes.
“We hope to get between 750 and 1,000 applications,” Dona Ponepinto said, the president and CEO for United Way of Pierce County. Reporters said they only have enough funding for 110 qualified people, who will be randomly selected for the money.
You must also be a single parent or guardian with children, and the household must be between 100% and 200% of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, that would be an annual income of $53,000 or less, reporters pointed out. About 40% of Tacoma households meet those income levels, United Way said.
Funding comes from the organization Mayors for Guaranteed Income and local contributions, not taxpayer dollars.
Officials and researchers will also monitor the program to see if it should be expanded or made permanent.
This is part of a long trend since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic last March, where the federal government sent out stimulus checks to Americans. Many counties, cities, and states have issued their own direct payments to residents in need.
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