Under the plan, eligible residents of Cook County, Illinois, would receive $500 monthly payments for two years
The only requirement for the program is that applicants must be adults residents of Cook County, and make less than 250% of the federal poverty level – or less than $69,375 for a house of four, Fox News reports.
Applicants will not be asked about citizenship status, according to the website.
“This pilot is open to all residents of Cook County, regardless of your immigration status. This means that if you are undocumented, or your household is a mixed-status household, and you meet the eligibility criteria above, you are eligible to participate,” reads the program website, which specifically notes:
“We will not share information on immigration status with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.“
The program is being funded by the White House’s American Rescue Plan designed to assist those impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“When people in communities are struggling to make ends meet, the most helpful thing we can do is give them cash,” said County Board President Toni Preckwinkle in a video advertising the program.
“Decades of research shows that participants use the cash benefits wisely.”
This is funded by the federal American Rescue Plan Act designed to help out during covid.
Subtitle B–Housing Provisions
This subtitle provides additional FY2021 funding for rental assistance, homelessness assistance, housing counseling, and housing assistance related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
(Sec. 3201) This section provides FY2021 funding for the Department of the Treasury’s Emergency Rental Assistance program, which was established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program provides grants to states, local governments, and territories for financial assistance to households for rent, utilities, and other housing expenses. Low-income households that are at risk of homelessness and are experiencing unemployment or financial hardship are eligible.
The aggregate period of assistance a household may receive under this program may not exceed 18 months.
(Sec. 3202) This section provides FY2021 funding for emergency rental assistance vouchers through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for families and individuals who are (1) experiencing homelessness; (2) at risk of homelessness; (3) fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence and other dangerous situations; or (4) recently homeless.
What could possible go wrong?