Harris County Launches Income Pilot Program to Provide $500 Cash Payments to Low-Income Households
Harris County, Texas, is taking a significant step towards addressing economic inequity by launching an income pilot program called Uplift Harris. This initiative aims to provide $500 in guaranteed cash payments to nearly 2,000 eligible low-income households for a period of 18 months. The program is designed to assist those who are struggling to make ends meet and face financial challenges on a daily basis.
The county will begin accepting applications for Uplift Harris starting on Monday, with the deadline set for January 26. To be eligible for the program, applicants must live 200% below the federal poverty line, which equates to approximately $60,000 for a household of four. Additionally, applicants must reside in specific high-poverty zip codes, including 77026, 77028, 77033, 77050, 77051, 77060, 77081, 77091, 77093, and 77547.
Another pathway to qualify for Uplift Harris is through participation in the ACCESS (Accessing Coordinated Care and Empowering Self-Sufficiency) Harris County program. ACCESS serves vulnerable populations with diverse needs across various public benefit programs, offering financial support and assistance to those in need.
Commissioner Rodney Ellis highlighted the pressing need for such a program, citing statistics that reveal nearly four in 10 residents in Harris County would struggle to afford a $400 emergency expense. The county currently faces one of the highest rates of economic inequity in the United States, with 16.4 percent of residents living in poverty.
The primary goal of Uplift Harris is to provide struggling families with additional financial support to cover essential needs such as rent, groceries, transportation, housing, utilities, healthcare, and more. While the funds are intended to alleviate financial burdens, recipients have the freedom to utilize the cash payments as they see fit.
A total of 1,928 households will be selected as beneficiaries of Uplift Harris. Given the anticipated high volume of applicants, recipients will be chosen through a lottery process to ensure fairness and equal opportunity for all eligible individuals. Those selected for the program can expect to receive their first monthly cash award as early as March.
The funding for Uplift Harris is made possible by a $20.5 million grant from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The Harris County Commissioners Court approved the allocation of these funds in June, underscoring the county’s commitment to supporting its most vulnerable residents during challenging times.
For more information about Uplift Harris or to apply for the program, interested individuals can visit the official Uplift Harris website. This initiative represents a crucial step towards addressing economic disparities and providing much-needed assistance to low-income households in Harris County.
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