Californians are set to receive $500 each month starting this summer as part of the state’s Advancing Fresno County Guaranteed Income program.
This initiative targets 150 Fresno County households, specifically those with young children living in Huron and southwest Fresno. The application window closed on May 15, and the first payments are due this month.
To qualify, residents must reside in specific ZIP codes and earn 80% or less of the local median income, with the ZIP codes being 93706 for southwest Fresno and 93234 for Huron.
To be eligible in Huron, earnings should be below $35,103.
According to finance expert Michael Ryan, over 30% of residents in these areas live below the poverty line.
The selection process for participants was done through a lottery system. Receiving these payments won’t affect eligibility for CalFresh (California food stamps).
Recipients were notified through phone, email, and text by the Fresno EOC navigator. There are no restrictions on how the money should be used once received. The program aims to alleviate poverty and improve health outcomes for residents facing economic challenges.
There are misconceptions surrounding the program, but its success suggests a potential positive impact. These guaranteed income programs are gaining popularity worldwide and may become more prevalent in the future.