$500 a month with no strings attached might sound too good to be true. In this case, it isn’t.
To help Chicago residents recover from the pandemic’s economic impact, the City is giving 5,000 families $500 per month for 12 months, with no limitations on how the money can be spent. Chicago families will decide how best to meet their needs and goals with the money, no one else.
This pilot program is now accepting applications, but act now to be considered. The application window closes at 11:59pm on Friday, May 13. Apply now!
Chicago residents who meet all of the following eligibility requirements are eligible to participate:
- You reside in the City of Chicago AND
- You are 18 years of age or older AND
- You have experience economic hardship related to COVID-19 AND
- Your household income level falls at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level
Within days of the application opening, the Chicago Sun-Times reports, more than 100,000 Chicagoans have applied for the program. You can find more details about program qualification on the registration page. The program is run by the City of Chicago, not Stand for Children. We wanted to pass along this information because we believe in policies that break down the barriers that have led to economic insecurity for far too long.
Programs like have been rolled out in areas across California, including the city of Stockton. Results from that city’s program included residents who received the guaranteed income were healthier, showed less depression and anxiety, and went from part-time to full-time employment at more than twice the rate of those who didn’t.
I hope you’ll learn more about this opportunity and, if you qualify, apply today. Share the link with your friends and family who might also be interested in applying.
