Harris County in Texas has confirmed the Stimulus Check payment of $500, which will be sent throughout the next 18 months. During this timeframe, the county’s Uplift Harris Pilot will provide eligible families from Texas with this financial aid payment if they meet the requirements.
Under the Uplift Harris guaranteed income pilot, participating households will get $500 a month for 18 months. Direct cash assistance programs provide wide-ranging social and financial advantages for participating families and the larger community, as demonstrated by similar programs across the nation.
Everything you need to know about the Uplift Harris Stimulus Check
Numerous long-standing health and economic disparities in the community were exacerbated by the COVID-19 epidemic. In response, Harris County is addressing economic inequality and reducing poverty by allocating $20.5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The first guaranteed income program in the county, Uplift Harris, will give qualifying households $500 a month for 18 months.
Two cohorts of residents will benefit from the pilot. Those who reside in Harris County’s top ten high-poverty zip codes make up the initial cohort. Priority populations covered by ACCESS, a coordinated and client-centered safety net service delivery approach run by Harris County Public Healthare included in the second cohort.
In addition, a lottery will be used to randomly pick participants from both cohorts. By tackling economic imbalances and providing support to those who are most in need, Harris County is dedicated to bringing about meaningful, long-lasting change in our community through programs like Uplift Harris.
Stimulus check eligibility criteria
To be eligible to apply for the Uplift Harris programa resident had to meet certain requirements, including being at least eighteen years old, having an income that was less than 200% of the federal poverty line for their size of household, and residing in one of the following zip codes:
- 77050
- 77093
- 77051
- 77060
- 77028
- 77033
- 77026
- 77081
- 77547
- 77091
Why is the Uplift Harris Stimulus Check important?
The Stimulus Check provided by Harris County is vital for many Texan families as it will give them direct and unconditional financial assistance to cover essential household expenses such as rent, groceries, transit, housing, utilities, and health care. What is more significant is that for eighteen months, approximately 2,000 participating homes that fall below 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL) will receive $500 per month to help with household expenses.
Uplit Harris Stimulus Check goals
The purpose of delivering this Stimulus Check to thousands of residents in Texas is to:
- Improve self-sufficiency
- Reduce generational poverty
- Reduces income volatility
- Reduce housing instability
- Reduce food insecurity
- Improve physical and mental health
- Create a framework for sustainable, equitable anti-poverty programs within Harris County
What makes this program different?
Despite its richness, Harris County suffers from severe economic disparity, with more than 16% of its citizens living in poverty. Families suffer, the region’s general well-being is weakened, and subsequent crises have made this inequality worse. Furthermore, guaranteed income programs have the potential to be effective instruments that empower communities by giving them the means to sustain their families. Even a modest, consistent income might mean the difference between stability and further poverty for many struggling households.
Other financial aid or Stimulus Checks in Texas
Besides the Uplift Harris Stimulus Check other financial aid programs can help eligible residents in this state. To learn more about them, please read below:
- Texas TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families): This program offers low-income families with children different forms of support services in addition to short-term financial help.
- Texas SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program): Benefits for food assistance are given to low-income individuals and families under this program.
- Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC): Under this government program, developers who construct or renovate affordable housing units are eligible for tax credits.
- Texas Workforce Commission: This helps Texans locate employment and training opportunities by providing a range of organizational services and initiatives.
