Baltimore residents can apply now through May 9 to be one of the 200 young parents and guardians who will receive $1,000 per month as part of the city’s guaranteed income pilot program.
The Baltimore Young Families Success Fund, the city’s guaranteed income pilot program, will provide a monthly $1,000 “unconditional cash payment” over 24 months to 200 young parents and guardians between 18-24 years old.
Applicants must also have full or partial care-taking responsibilities, and their income must be at or below 300% of the federal poverty level for their household size.
“This program will greatly improve financial stability and economic opportunity for residents by putting money directly in the hands of recipients so they can put funds towards the things they need the most,” Mayor Brandon Scott said in a statement. “I want to encourage all eligible residents to apply before the deadline closes on May 9.”
Several partners across the city are providing assistance to individuals who need help applying to the pilot program. A list of community resources can be found at the bottom of the program’s website at https://www.bmorechildren.com/guaranteed-income.
Baltimoreans have until 11:59 p.m. on May 9 to apply to the pilot program. After May 9, 200 participants will be selected via a randomized lottery from the pool applicants.
Participants will also be part of a “storytelling cohort” and research study, while another 156 individuals will be part of a control group.
The pilot program will be supported with a $4.8 million allocation of the city’s American Rescue Plan Act funds, all of which will be directly distributed to the guaranteed income recipients.
The costs of administering the program will be funded through the Mayor’s Office of Children and Family Success, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Abell Foundation, the France-Merrick Foundation, and The Zanvyl and Isabelle Krieger Fund.
The pilot program is a collaboration between the City of Baltimore, the CASH Campaign of Maryland, Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, and the financial services company Steady.
Prior to the guaranteed income pilot program, Baltimore City partnered with Open Society Institute, Baltimore’s Promise, and a dozen community-based organizations to distribute one-time, $400 prepaid cards to eligible households.
A total of 15,000 prepaid cards were distributed as part of the $6 million COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Program.
“The COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Grant helped my family because before I received it when I went to the store I had to be mindful of what and how much I brought. There were times when I needed things for my home but couldn’t afford to get them. This grant eased my mind some,” Baltimore resident Angela Gibbs said in a statement.
“It helped me and my family get things that we normally cannot afford to get, like more toilet paper, paper towels, and just extra food. It was a blessing for me and my family, we thank you all from the bottoms of our hearts,” said Linda Redd, another Baltimore resident, in a statement.
The guaranteed income pilot program aims to give families similar relief, but with larger payments sustained over a longer period of time.
“Similarly to this cash transfer program implemented last year, the Baltimore Young Families Success Fund will give participants the flexibility to spend money in the way that best provides for their families’ needs and has been proven to make substantial positive impacts on the lives of those that need it most,” city officials said in the release.
