Hundreds more moms to get monthly $1,000 payments as child tax credits end – do you qualify?

NEW York City mothers are receiving some help in the form of cash.

In July 2021, 100 pregnant moms with a baby under a year old were chosen.

The guaranteed income program comes with no strings attached - and it's set to be extended.

It comes after Congress failed to extend the federal child tax credits, which have given families up to $300 per child a month since July.

The hope is the money will help the mothers purchase necessities such as formula or diapers, and even take care of rent or childcare.

The Bridge Project found that 60% of New York City's babies and young children up to age three were within 200% of the poverty line.

The families lived in the Washington Heights, Harlem and Inwood neighborhoods.

There are currently 50 mothers who are receiving $500, every two weeks, for three years.

Another 50 mothers are receiving $1,000 a month for three years.

What is the Bridge Project?

The Bridge Project is New York City's first guaranteed income program.

It started in June 2021 by the Monarch Foundation, a private, non-profit, family foundation based in New York City, which provided $16million in funding.

The goal is to support low-income mothers in New York City during the first 1,000 days of their child's life by providing consistent cash on a monthly basis.

Megha Agarwal, executive director at The Bridge Project, told The Sun: "There's extensive research showing how critical the first 1,000 days of a baby's life are to their future personal and professional success.

"So we see The Bridge Project as a common sense solution to the fact the US does not invest in policies that support mothers and infants sufficiently and in a way that is empowering and flexible."

The Bridge Project is working with community partners to provide support for the families.

It's also working with The Center for Guaranteed Income Research (CGIR) at the University of Pennsylvania.

CGIR is working with other programs across the US with guaranteed income programs, such as Stockton, California, New Orleans, Louisiana and Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Who is eligible?

The next phase of the Bridge Project will begin in early 2022.

In April, it will begin recruiting an additional 500 mothers.

It will include first-time, pregnant mothers.

The program will be expanded into the New York City neighborhoods of East Harlem, Central Bronx and the South Bronx.

These moms will receive $1,000 a month for the first 18 months, followed by $500 a month for the last 18 months.

We explain which states have a universal basic income program.

Plus, we explain key dates and deadlines to avoid penalties when filing your taxes this year.