Time is running out to claim $500 monthly checks for 18 months in free cash — but you must meet four criteria

AMERICANS only have a limited time to get $500 monthly payments.

You can only claim the payments if you are eligible, but you must do so before the time expires.

Pomona, California, launched the Pomona Household Universal Grants (HUG) Pilot Program to provide unconditional financial support to its residents.

This initiative will provide $500 a month to 250 residents for 18 months, targeting families with young children who are facing financial hardship.

“Additional resources and support services in Pomona and Los Angeles County” will be available to those who sign up.

Recipients will also be eligible for $50 bonus payments when participating in research conducted by UCLA.

Those wishing to apply 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

Registration open for those who qualified on July 17th; they close on July 8th.

ABOUT PAYMENTS

The funds are intended to help cover essential expenses such as rent and child care.

Pomona, with a population of about 146,000, is predominantly Latino, with approximately 12% of its residents living below the poverty line.

The program aims to provide much-needed relief as the community continues to recover from the economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We hope this provides some immediate relief to families who are still behind on their rent,” said the city’s interim director of neighborhood services, Beverly Johnson, according to the LA Times.

“While this $500 is intended to relieve them of some of their stressors, it can also be used in any area they need it, so there are no restrictions in terms of how they can use the funding.”

Pomona Mayor Tim Sandoval also commented on the program 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.

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

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.

Meanwhile, another California city is sending $725 to its residents this month.

And a Fresno income program is also helping residents financially with $500 payments.