Last year, St. Louis approved a plan that would use federal COVID money to help out St. Louisans in need.
People interested were able to apply for $500 from the city. Now, months later, St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones said the program has been a success.
At a press conference Wednesday, Jones said 9,000 people got the $500 checks. She said she's heard lots of positive feedback.
KMOX's Kevin Killeen reports that Jones said people have approached her, saying they used their money for things like healthcare costs, groceries, eyeglasses -- one woman said she bought herself a new coat and a new bra.
Mayor Jones said she hopes she can expand the program, creating a type of universal basic income for people in poverty in St. Louis, where they could routinely apply based on need.
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