Starting Today, Chicagoans Can Apply for $500 Each Month for Two Years Under the Cook County Guaranteed Income Program
THE CITY OF CHICAGO — Toni Preckwinkle, president of the Cook County Board, has called the programme “the greatest publicly sponsored guaranteed income project in American history.”
The county offers $500 monthly financial aid for two years via a new programme for which applications are currently being accepted.
A press release states that applications for the Cook County Promise Guaranteed Income Pilot will be accepted from Thursday, September 28, through Sunday, October 21, 2018.
Applying is Possible for Residents of Cook County
The county estimates that 3,250 people will participate in the programme and receive monthly payments of $500 for two years. It is anticipated that payments will start in the month of December.
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The American Rescue Plan Act, enacted by the Biden administration, provides $42 million to help those in need after the outbreak.
The county claims that the pilot programme is available to all residents, regardless of their immigration status, and that applicants are not required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
At the same time that Chicago is sending out its first $500 checks to 5,000 households chosen for its own financial aid programme, the county of Cook launches its own.
Cook County authorities have said that anybody currently enrolled in any other guaranteed income programme, including Chicago’s, is unable to qualify for the county’s version.
Six Community Groups for How to Apply
The county says that it has teamed up with six community groups to get the word out about the programme and tell people how to apply.
The press release says that the Inclusive Economy Lab and the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice at the University of Chicago will study and evaluate the initiative.
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According to Inclusive Economy Lab director and release author Carmelo Barbaro, “Guaranteed Income schemes have the potential for enhancing economic mobility and fostering racial justice.”
“We need to collect data regarding the most successful methods to distribute resources. It analyses how families use these programmes to accomplish their objectives if we are going to grow these programmes locally and nationally,” the authors write.
Toni Preckwinkle’s Pledge
President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners Toni Preckwinkle has pledged county cash and charitable backing. It enables to continue funding the guaranteed income programme when the trial phase ends.
According to Preckwinkle, “the two-year trial is the greatest publicly financed guaranteed income effort in American history.” It will provide thousands of locals security in their finances. As the saying goes, “many for the first time.”
