Congress and the White House aren’t wanting to give Americans a fourth pandemic stimulus check, so more large cities across the nation are stepping up to provide COVID aid money to people who need it.
And it’s not necessarily a one-time thing: If you’re eligible, you may get recurring cash payments you can spend any way you want.
Here’s where you find these “city stimulus” programs — and how you can dig up extra money on your own if your community isn’t offering relief.
50 local programs offer aid money
The federal government’s stimulus checks have prompted cities and nonprofits to launch around 50 programs to give cash to people who are still struggling from the pandemic.
Local officials “recognize the value of recurring cash payments for communities in acute financial crises and long-term economic instability,” says the National League of Cities.
One group pushing for more cities to provide financial relief is Mayors for a Guaranteed Income (MGI). Its member mayors have started pilot programs in 12 cities, and there are plans for another 20 locations to get on board.
“We look forward to data from our pilots fueling the creation of a guaranteed income at the national level for all who need it,” says Sukhi Samra, the group’s director.
Major metros giving out their own stimulus checks
These are some of the largest cities putting money in the hands of people who need it.
Los Angeles
With a $40 million price tag, the nation’s largest direct payment program is unfolding in Los Angeles.
Hundreds of Angeleno families experiencing hardship due to COVID-19 are about to receive cash windfalls: $1,000 each month for a year. Some 3,200 families will be chosen at random.
To qualify, you must be at least 18, live within the city, have an income not greater than the federal poverty level, be pregnant or have at least one dependent child, and have struggled from economic or medical difficulties due to the pandemic. Applications are being accepted until Nov. 7.
Chicago
Chicago will give 5,000 low-income residents $500 each month for a year, to spend however they want.
The City Council passed a budget on Oct. 27 to fund the $31.5 million program. Full details aren’t available yet. But a spokesperson for the mayor’s office told a local radio station that applicants must have been “economically very hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic” to be eligible.
New York
A plan to give $2,000 a year to New Yorkers living in poverty failed with the defeat of mayoral candidate Andrew Yang. It was a hallmark of his campaign.
But 120 miles north, in Hudson, 75 lower-income residents will receive $500 checks each month — for five years.
To be eligible, applicants must live in Hudson, be over 18 and earn less than $39,364. A lottery decides who gets the cash.
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is focusing on low-income residents, to alleviate poverty.
The city council approved the mayor’s plan to give unrestricted $500 payments every month for two years to those living within five low-income ZIP codes. Half the 200 participants will be Black women. The others will be randomly selected people from any race and gender.
You’ll have to check with the city to learn how you can apply since the program is still being developed.
Seattle
If you meet certain requirements in Seattle, you could receive $1,000 to $3,000, depending on your household size.
The new $16 million Seattle Relief Fund was announced on Oct. 25. to help those impacted by the pandemic.
Regardless of your citizenship or immigration status, you may be eligible if you’re at least 18 and meet the income eligibility requirement for your household size. You also have either be a city resident or an artist who has rented an art studio in Seattle anytime since March 2020. Applications close on Nov. 15.
How to add extra cash to your monthly budget
If you don’t qualify for these new types of stimulus funds, you can still find extra cash and potentially add hundreds to your monthly budget:
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Deal with your debt. Credit cards have helped many households get through the last couple of years, but the expensive interest will only make life harder going forward. Folding your balances into a single debt consolidation loan can cut the cost of your debt and help you pay it off faster.
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Slash your insurance premiums. When was the last time you looked around for a better price on your auto insurance? If it’s been a while, it may be costing you more than $1,000 extra every year. Shop around to ensure you’ve really got the best possible rate.
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Stop overpaying for essentials. Even if you put yourself on a lean budget, you’ll still need to stock up on supplies every now and then. And when that time comes, use this free browser extension to automatically scour the internet for lower prices and coupons.
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Turn pennies into a portfolio. Even if you don’t have much money to spare, you can still earn returns from today’s hot stock market. A popular app can help you invest your “spare change” from everyday purchases into a diversified portfolio.
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
