A number of Texas families will begin receiving direct support payments every month from a newly introduced anti-poverty initiative.
Monthly Cash Payments for Texas Families
Close to 2,000 Texas families will soon receive monthly cash support payments as part of a new anti-poverty initiative being introduced in Harris County.
The Uplift Harris Program
The payments are part of the Uplift Harris guaranteed-income pilot program for certain residents in Harris County.
The Most Populous County
Harris County contains most of the city of Houston and is the most populous county in the state and the third most populous county in the entire United States. Most recipients live in the Houston area.
Direct Cash Payments
Beginning this month, nearly 2000 families will receive monthly direct cash support payments of $500, which will continue every month.
Over 80,000 Applications
According to the Houston Chronicle, 83,000 people applied to the program, and 1,928 families were approved. Cash payments will continue for up to 18 months.
Addressing Economic Inequity
The Uplift Harris program works to “address economic inequity and reduce poverty” in Harris County. It is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, which was passed into law by the federal government in 2021.
Qualifications Needed
Though the eligibility process is unclear, the qualifications needed to apply to the program are more specific.
Below the Poverty Line
Families who want to apply for funding through the Uplift Harris program must have a combined income that is 200% below the federal poverty line, which sits at $31,200 for a family of 4 in 2024.
Specific Zipcode
They must also reside at an address that is in one of these 10 Harris County zip codes: 77050, 77093, 77051, 77060, 77028, 77033, 77026, 77081, 77547, and 77091.
“Should Not Be a Political Debate”
“Reducing poverty and helping families who are struggling to meet basic needs should not be a political debate,” said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo when speaking in support of the initiative.
Higher Poverty Than Most of the Nation
“Our community is experiencing poverty at rates higher than other communities in Texas and around the nation, and we as county leaders have a duty to do everything we can to address it,” Hidalgo continued.
Highest Rates in the Country
This was supported by the Harris County Public Health Website, which shares that Harris County has “among the highest rates of economic inequity in the country.”
16% Below the Poverty Line
According to County statistics, 16.4% of Harris County’s population lives below the poverty line. This new initiative will hopefully be the latest in a line of poverty-reduction programs across the U.S.
Helping Vulnerable Communities
It would also help to address growing disparities amongst minority groups.
“The huge amount of interest in this program shows how great the need is in Harris County for a program like Uplift Harris, especially among vulnerable communities,” Hidalgo said.
A Similar Program in Austin
Similar programs were also established in Austin, Texas, where eligible households affected by poverty were given $1000 in cash support per month for a year, from September 2022 to September 2023.
Pandemic Inspiration
The Uplift Harris program was established following the Covid-19 pandemic, which, according to the Harris County website, “magnified many long-standing health and economic inequities in the community.”
It Makes a Difference
The website defended the program by stating that “a small monthly infusion of unconditional cash can make the difference between stability and deep poverty.”
Delivering “Wide-Ranging” Benefits
“Similar programs across the country have shown that direct cash assistance programs deliver wide-ranging social and financial benefits,” the website continued.
Plans to Broaden the Program
According to Harris County officials like Lina Hidalgo, the program’s heads intend to extend the payment plans and provide support to even more families beyond the first 2000.
Confirmation Received
The 1,928 families received confirmation of their acceptance into the program on March 22 and will not be required to repay any of the payments at any point in the future.
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The post Houstonians Set to Receive $500 Monthly in New Anti-Poverty Initiative first appeared on From Frugal to Free.
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The content of this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute or replace professional financial advice.
