Americans still have weeks to receive monthly payments of $500 in free, no-strings-attached cash, but you must be eligible

A GUARANTEED income program will soon distribute $500 monthly checks to select beneficiaries.

Applications close in a matter of weeks and the money will last 18 months.

A guaranteed income program is distributing checks to eligible families in Pomona, California.

Those who are successful will receive $500 per month for 18 months.

Furthermore, recipients will be entitled to $50 bonus payments for participating in research provided by UCLA.

The money was set aside to help low-income parents or guardians with young children.

There are three criteria to qualify. Candidates must:

• Being a parent or guardian of children three years old or younger
• Live within Pomona city limits
• Have a household income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or 65% of the area median income, which equals $63,830 per year.

If you meet the criteria, applications open on June 17th and close on July 8th.

A total of 250 families will receive monthly payments.

They will also receive “additional resources and support services in Pomona and Los Angeles County.”

The program was organized by the city’s Universal Household Grants Program (HUG).

WHY THE PAYMENTS?

It is being administered by the city and the FORWARD organization, which previously ran similar programs in Long Beach and Los Angeles County.

The city of Pomona has set aside more than $2.4 million for the program.

The funds came from the American Rescue Plan Act, the $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill signed into law by President Joe Biden in March 2021.

Pomona Mayor Tim Sandoval said in a press release, “Through Pomona HUG, we are taking a significant step toward nurturing the future of our community by supporting Pomona families with children under four.

How does Guaranteed Income work?

The Guaranteed Income and Universal Basic Income programs have gained popularity recently.

After the Biden administration’s 2021 American Rescue Plan sent stimulus money to local governments, dozens began testing guaranteed income (GI) systems.

The specifics vary, but GI typically involves payments to people with low incomes. Unlike traditional welfare, there are no work requirements, drug tests, or other restrictions.

Some have advocated for a Universal Basic Income (UBI), which would go to everyone regardless of how much money they earn at work. Alaska has used a similar system since the 1970s.

Proponents say this alleviates poverty while encouraging work, unlike classic welfare, which cuts benefits to people who start earning “too much” money to qualify.

Opponents argue that such a system is too expensive to operate on a large scale and suggest that Americans should avoid becoming dependent on government money.

With some cities touting the success of GI programs, some Republican-led states have taken steps to ban them. States like Texas and Iowa, for example, undermined major spending plans by pushing against GI.

Parenthood often brings unique challenges, and the HUG Program aims to alleviate some of these burdens, investing on the well-being of our families and the future of Pomona.”

Another guaranteed income program in California distributes $500 per month to eligible families.

Residents of two Fresno zip codes are waiting to receive their first checks as applications have closed.

Families with young children (ages 5 and under) in southwest Fresno and Huron were eligible to apply.

Another California city is also sending payments of up to $725 per month.

Or see if you owe $500 for spoiled food.