By Kennedy Sessions
See original post here.
Harris County’s guaranteed income program “Uplift Harris,” a pilot program aimed at giving financial relief to low-income families, is set to open its portal for eligible applicants in the upcoming weeks. The program, approved by Harris County Commissioners in June, is being funded through $20.5 million in American Rescue Plan Funds and makes the state’s largest county the first in Texas to launch the program.
Here’s everything you need to know.
What is Uplift Harris?
Uplift Harris is a direct cash assistance program that gives households $500 a month for 18 months to approximately 1,928 residents. According to the county website, The program aims to help families meet their financial needs for items like rent, groceries, transportation, housing and utilities, and health care. Other places in the country that have launched similar programs are Cook County in Chicago and Los Angeles County.
Who’s eligible?
The pilot program will direct those funds to the poorest areas in the county, which fall in the neighborhoods of Forest Acres, Acres Homes, South Park, East Six Jensen, Sunnyside, Northgate, Greater Fifth Ward, Settegast, Gulfton, and Galena Park.
In the summer, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo identified ten key zip codes, 77050, 77093, 77051, 77060, 77028, 77033, 77026, 77081, 77547, and 77091, as the priority areas. Moreover, payments will go toward households that live 200 percent below the federal poverty line.
According to the federal poverty guidelines, 200 percent below the poverty line equals $29,160 per individual. A family of four with a maximum income of $60,000 is also eligible. Applicants must be 18 or older to apply. 2022 Census Bureau data found that 16 percent of Harris County residents live below the poverty line.
Residents in the Accessing Coordinated Care and Empowering Self-Sufficiency Harris County can also apply for the Uplift Harris program.
How do I apply?
The Uplift Harris program portal opens on Jan.8 and closes on Jan.26, 2024, at 11:59. Until January, applicants can submit an online interest form here. The application will ask residents questions about themselves and their life experiences. They must also submit contact information to get updates on their applications. Applicants must also upload a government-issued ID, their date of birth, and other documentation like a selfie to show a person’s face clearly. Only one person per household can apply.
When does the program start?
After applying, residents can expect to be notified in mid-February if they are selected. A notice will be sent to the selected applicant’s email address or phone. The $500 payments will be distributed via direct deposit or a prepaid reloadable debit card, with the first payment expected to start in March or April 2024. County leaders said the Harris County Public Health Department would manage the program in June. GiveDirectly and AidKit will be working to distribute the funds. A third-party administrator will also evaluate how participants’ lives are improving.
What can the money be used for?
Participants in the program can use the money for anything they want to fit their needs, like basic household necessities. There are a few things participants can’t use the money for, including criminal or illegal activities, supporting individuals or entities relating to terrorism, or anything that would harm the safety and security of other community members or face the risk of being removed from the program. Notably, this monthly payment is not taxed and qualifies as a tax-exempt charitable gift under the IRS.
