More than 1,900 applicants chosen for Harris County’s low-income assistance program

More than 1,900 eligible Harris County households living below 200% of the federal poverty line, or approximately $60,000 for a family of four, were selected from a two-stage lottery system as award recipients for Harris County's guaranteed income pilot program.

Harris County Public Health received more than 82,500 applications in total.

Explained

From March 18-22, all Uplift Harris applicants would have received notification of their selection status for the program based on the preferred communication method they identified in their initial application. The first monthly payment of $500 will be distributed to selected recipients as early as April 24, according to a news release.

Funding for the $20.5 million program was allocated by local and state funds from the American Rescue Plan Act as part of the county’s broader strategy to address the region’s economic inequality.

The bottom line

Qualified families under the guaranteed income program will be given $500 per month for 18 consecutive months, and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said there would be “no strings attached” or restrictions in terms of how recipients can spend their money.