Prince George’s County launches Guaranteed Income Program, offering $800 monthly to eligible residents
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. - Leaders are getting ready to give out cash to residents with no strings attached.
Applications for the Guaranteed Income Program in Prince George’s County are now live.
"This $800 would be tremendous help for me and my family," said District Heights resident Phyllis Wright.
She just put in her application for the county’s pilot income program.
"We are really struggling," she told FOX 5 Wednesday.
For more info about who is eligible and how to apply, visit THRIVE PRINCE GEORGE’S online.
District 7 Council Member Krystal Oriadha, and county leaders including County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, passed a bill that will give people $800 a month for two years to help them cover basic needs, and improve financial stability throughout Prince George's.
"Have you been to the grocery store lately? $800 can go a long way with food, gas … The gas prices are high," 62-year-old Wright explained.
To qualify, you must be a young adult coming out of the foster care system, a formerly incarcerated person who was recently released, or an adult 60 and older making $50,000 or less.
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Program to provide monthly cash stipends for low-income families adopted in Prince George's County
Prince George's County has approved legislation to create a Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot Program for low-income families to receive monthly cash stipends.
"There are so many seniors I’ve talked to who are struggling to get meals and pay property taxes," Councilmember Oriadha said.
For 24 months, the program will dish out $4 million to 175 county residents, and you don’t have to pay it back or report how you choose to spend the money.
"We trust you, and we trust you to do what you need with these funds," Oriadha added.
For adults 60 and older, to be considered you must live in a specific area in the county.
"So, really a focus inside the beltway cause the goal is to look at communities that have been impacted by lack of access to healthy eating, access to health care, and prioritizing those seniors," Oriadha explained.
Prince George’s Co. proposal would provide basic income assistance to low-income families, elderly
Financial relief could be in the works for people who live at or below the poverty line in Prince George's County following a proposal for a pilot program to help residents take care of their basic needs.
"I pray that I will be one of those seniors that are chosen," Wright said.
Applications close on January 1, 2024.
Click here for a list of qualifying zip codes.
For young adults 18-24 years old who recently phased out of the foster care system and are looking to apply for the guaranteed income program, click here.
For seniors 60 years old and up, click here.