(WBBM NEWSRADIO) - The city of Chicago has started accepting applications for its guaranteed income program that aims to help residents hit hard by COVID-19.
Five-thousand households will be selected in a lottery to receive monthly cash payments of $500 for a year.
The online applications should take about 15 minutes to fill out. You’ll need to be a Chicago resident, at least 18 years old, have experienced a COVID-related economic loss, like a job or childcare, and earn less than $70,000 a year for a family of four. You do not have to be a citizen.
The group GiveDirectly will verify who’s eligible for the lottery, with priority going to households at the poverty line and communities with pre-existing economic hardships.
The city is partnering with the University of Chicago to research the effect of the assistance but participation is not required. There are very few strings attached to the cash but the city said it can’t be used to support crime, terrorism, corruption or anything that would harm the safety of community members.
For more information about the program and to apply, click here.
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