Stimulus 2023: $500 Monthly Checks Could Be Coming to Low-Income Texas Residents

Harris County, Texas, is considering a guaranteed income program to give low-income residents monthly $500 checks. The program, called Uplift Harris, would cost an estimated $20.5 million if approved.
Recipients of the program would be randomly selected from the lowest-income zip codes in the county. Federal COVID-19 relief funds would fund the program.

Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis and County Judge Lina Hidalgo are proposing the program. They say the program would help to address poverty and inequality in the county.

The Sun quoted Rodney Elis as saying, “This program would provide much-needed financial assistance to some of our most vulnerable residents, it would help them to pay for basic necessities, such as food, housing, and transportation.”

The program has been met with mixed reactions. Some people support the program, saying it would provide much-needed financial assistance to low-income residents. Others oppose the program, saying it is a waste of taxpayer money.

The Harris County Commissioners Court will vote on the program soon.

What is Uplift Harris?

Uplift Harris is a pilot program that will send $500 cash payments each month for 18 months to up to 1,500 participating households. The program is designed to help low-income families meet their basic needs, such as rent, food, utilities, transportation, and care. The program will also evaluate the impact of the cash payments on the recipients’ well-being, employment, education, health, and financial stability.

Who qualifies for Uplift Harris?

There are two ways to be eligible for the program: living in a high-poverty zip code or participating in Harris County Public Health’s ACCESS program. Some neighborhoods in high-poverty areas include Sunnyside, Gulfton, and Galena Park. Among those households, participants will be randomly selected. Families must live below 200 percent of the federal poverty line to qualify, which is about $60,000 for a family of four or $29,000 for an individual. The program could launch as soon as September 2023.

How to apply for Uplift Harris?

The program will be administered by a third-party agency responsible for selecting and enrolling the participants, distributing the cash payments, and collecting data for evaluation. The agency will also provide support services and referrals to other participant resources. The agency will announce the application process and eligibility criteria once it is selected. Interested households can visit https://countiesforaguaranteedincome.org/ or the Uplift Harris website.

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