Source: The News & Observer
Applications are open for a pilot program that provides a basic monthly income for financially burdened Durham families. The nonprofit Durham Children’s Initiative is leading the program which was approved back in 2023 by the Durham County Board of County Commissioners.
The Durham board unanimously approved $1.69 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to run a basic income pilot program that draws from the success of stimulus payments to Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Other guaranteed income programs throughout the US have shown increased positive brain activity in babies, increased likelihood of time spent doing enriching activities with children, decreased stress, and improved employment outcomes,” Durham Children’s Initiative told The News & Observer.
The nonprofit states that the guaranteed income is a recurring payment with no strings attached.
According to The News & Observer, Durham County will randomly select 125 families to receive $750 monthly for a year. In addition, participants will receive $100 a month to complete surveys so researchers can analyze the results.
Another 125 people in the county will also receive $100 a month to provide comparable data, The N&O reported.
Applications opened in January to adult residents of Durham County who parent at least one child under 18 and have a household income at or below 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Durham.
According to The N&O, in Durham and Chapel Hill, that is:
- For two people: $25,400
- For three people: $28,600
- For four people: $31,750
- For five people: $34,300
- For six people: $36,850
- For seven people: $39,400
- For eight people: $41,950
Individuals who are selected will be contacted via email or phone within a month after the application period ends. A representative from the program will be available to answer any questions, and you will have the option to meet with a benefits counselor before deciding whether to enroll in the program or not, the nonprofit’s website states.
Participants can opt out at any time. Sign up at dci-nc.org/dco-thrives to be notified when the application is available.
