Recipients of a guaranteed income program in California are set to receive their next payment of $500 in 17 days.
A total of 305 families in Sonoma County are receiving $500 every month through December 2024 as part of the Pathway to Income Equity program. The next payment is scheduled for April 19.
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“These payments will help families with young children who are often struggling under the double burden of the high costs of housing and child care — typically the two highest household expenses,” said Chris Coursey, chairman of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. “The information we gain from this pilot program will help shape future efforts to improve the health and welfare of our community.”
Officials will study what effect this additional monthly income has on reducing poverty and promoting economic mobility for families with young children, according to the Sonoma County Administrator’s Office.
Angie Dillon-Shore, director of the nonprofit group First 5 Sonoma County, told the Washington Examiner these payments would go out to recipients on the third Wednesday of every month, and the final payment would be issued in December 2024.
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Applications for the program were open to applicants who met specific criteria, which included being a resident of Sonoma County. Other criteria included being pregnant and/or the parent of a child no older than 5, being affected by COVID-19, and making an income less than 185% of the federal poverty level. The federal poverty level is $42,606 for a family of three.
A total of 6,450 online applications were submitted for review, and 2,383 met the eligibility requirements. Applications for the program opened on Sept. 1 and closed on Oct. 31.
