First monthly direct payment worth $800 drops today – see if you’re eligible for 18 months of basic income

A NEW monthly payment of $800 drops today for Americans as they earn 18 months of guaranteed basic income in California.

As Californians face high inflation and economic uncertainty, the state has implemented several universal basic income programs to support residents directly.

One program in Palm Springs was created in collaboration between Coachella Valley non-profits Queer Works and DAP Health in an attempt to supplement the income of those facing racism and gender inequality.

The first payment goes live today on May 15 and they'll continue for the next several months.

THE DETAILS

To qualify for the payments, you had to agree to be a part of a study — this requires periodic surveys to be completed.

Participants also get a range of counseling and social services, including:

• Enrollment in wellness programs
• Food security
• Transportation assistance
• Medical case management
• Medical primary care
• Mental health care
• Mental health case management
• Housing location assistance

After applications opened in March, 30 applicants were randomly selected.

There were specific requirements, however.

For one, household income could be no more than 30 percent of the median income of Riverside County.

For one person, that meant an income of no more than $16,600.

Additionally, applicants had to be clients of DAP Health or Queer Works or be enrolled with one of them by March 14.

You also needed to show proof you lived and worked at least part-time in Palm Springs, or spend most of the day in the area.

In addition, participants had to be considered primary residents in Palm Springs.

MORE AID AVAILABLE

Several cities in California are trying out their own version of a guaranteed income program. 

In El Monte, 125 households were randomly selected to participate in a UBI program offering $500 a month for a full year.

The payments will be delivered via a debit card that will be automatically reloaded every month.

All program recipients are low-income residents who were financially impacted by the pandemic.

You also had to be an El Monte resident, a female head of household as well as have an income below the federal poverty level.

Meanwhile, in Minnesota, the Minneapolis Guaranteed Basic Income pilot program gives residents $500 monthly.

Payments originally began last June and are scheduled every month for two years.

The payments, which continue until June 2024, are meant to be no-strings-attached, and recipients can choose to spend them however they see fit.

To qualify for the guaranteed income pilot, families had to prove their annual income was at or below 50 percent of the area median income for Minneapolis.

For a family of two, that was set at $46,950.

A family of four would see that qualifying income move up to $58,650.

There are three direct payments going out to Americans this month.

Follow along with The U.S. Sun’s stimulus live blog for constant updates.