New Direct Payments of up to $500 per month will be made available to a select group of American citizens.
The payments will continue for two years, but not everyone will qualify. It's a new guaranteed income pilot program accepting applications until Oct. 21.
This program is known as Cook County Promise that will give 3,250 families $500 per month in direct income for the next two years.
As one of many guaranteed income programs that come up since the pandemic placed the economy in jeopardy in 2020. This week is the last week to submit applications.
Only Cook County households making 250 percent or less of the federal poverty level are eligible.
All applicants must be at least 18 years old. Only one person from each household will be permitted to apply for and receive these funds.
County residents who are already in Chicago's guaranteed income pilot cannot participate in this program.
Not eligibles are elected officials and county employees. Cook County households in dire financial need are eligible for this program.
People who qualify will be chosen at random in a lottery. They should be notified if they are chosen by the middle of November.
This notification will be sent to the email address and/or mobile phone number provided by the applicant in their application.
The first payment will be sent no later than January 2023. People must apply online before the deadline of October 21.