FAMILIES struggling to keep up with bills could receive financial relief as a new guaranteed income program is underway.
Residents in California may benefit from the basic income program if they meet the correct qualifications.
Sacramento County launched the Family First Sacramento Pilot Program to assist around 200 low-income families.
It aims to help Native American and African American families and will offer monthly payments of $725 for a year, totaling $8,700.
Black American and American Indian or Alaskan Native families in Sacramento County had the lowest median household income rates in 2023, according to behealthysacramento.org.
The program seeks to combat this disparity and give parents a chance to take charge of their lives and care for their mental health.
ELIGIBILITY
The program received funding from Sacramento County, which partnered with the United Way California Capital Region.
A lottery system will determine the families who benefit from the initiative, and payments are expected to roll out in July.
Candidates must have children five and under to qualify for the program.
They also have to live in one of the following zip codes:
- Valley High and Florin (95823 & 95828)
- North Sacramento (95815)
- Del Paso Heights (95838)
- Arden Arcade (95821)
Michelle Callejas, Sacramento County’s director of Child, Family and Adult Services, said Native American and African American families in the area are disproportionately impacted by child welfare.
“These are families that are living within high rates of poverty across all the zip codes. There is that conflation,” Callejas said.
Investing in children early is the best bet we can make, and it pays off for all of us
Dr. Steve Wirtz
HEALTH WEALTH
Dr. Steve Wirtz, a Developmental Psychologist and First 5 Sacramento Commissioner, said increased income has a ripple effect on families.
A stable income helps families pay bills before their deadlines and reduces the chance of family dysfunction or child neglect.
It also limits the need for a child welfare system.
“It has been shown to work over and over again, there are 150, or more of these programs going on right now,” Wirtz told KXTV, an affiliate of ABC News in Sacramento.
“Investing in children early is the best bet we can make, and it pays off for all of us.”
Wirtz explained how programs like these work to combat issues of crime on the streets and overwhelming homelessness.
More information about the program is available on the United Way California Capital Region website.
MORE PAYMENTS
Select low-income families in Harris County, Texas, could benefit from another pilot program funded by an American Rescue Plan Act grant.
The universal income program intends to help 1,928 households by providing $500 monthly payments for 18 months.
Families will also be selected through a lottery for this program.
The payments are meant to help families afford their expenses as the cost of living soars.
Find out if you qualify for a stimulus check and read live updates on the rollout process.
Also, a $10.5 million settlement offers payments to Macy’s bedsheet customers.
Read our Universal Basic Incomelive blog for the very latest news and updates…