Direct payments of between $900 and $2,200 could go to Americans each month as part of a big plan – see who would qualify

THOUSANDS of needy Americans could receive monthly payments worth up to $2,100.

Washington State Representative Liz Berry introduced House Bill 1045, which would establish an evergreen basic income pilot program.

1

The legislation aims to help residents meet basic needs – with a focus on rent.

“Everyone in WA should be able to meet their basic needs and take care of loved ones and that means paying for basic necessities: housing, food, the ability to see a doctor if you are ill,” said Berry in a Facebook post.

The bill would grant eligible Washington residents monthly payments equal to 100 percent of market rent for a two-bedroom unit.

This amount in the state ranges from $892 to $2,199 depending on the area.

WHO WOULD BE ELIGIBLE?

There are some requirements that must be met in order to qualify.

On the one hand, income must not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty line.

For singles, that amount was $27,180 in 2022, while for a family of four, it was $55,500.

In addition, applicants from Washington who are at least 18 years of age must meet at least one of the following requirements:

• experience homelessness
• Currently pregnant
• Immigrant, asylum seeker or refugee
• have a disability or behavioral disorder
• Be a parent with at least one child younger than five years old.
• Exit from foster care, juvenile justice or criminal justice systems
• Leaving a relationship or living situation due to domestic violence

Payments ranging from $892 to $2,199 would go to up to 7,500 participants.

Even if the number of applicants exceeds this number, the applications will be selected at random.

Payments arrive for 24 consecutive months.

However, keep in mind that the bill is not guaranteed to pass as the House of Representatives has yet to take action.

The US Sun contacted Berry for comment.

OTHER INCOME PROGRAMS

The news comes as various states and cities have launched their own guaranteed income programs over the past year or so.

A local program in Washington supported Tacoma residents, with 110 people receiving $500 a month for a year.

The monthly payments were completed in December 2022.

Elsewhere, a group of Ohio residents in Yellow Springs and Miami Township will receive payments totaling $7,200 over 24 months.

Currently, the program is in its first cohort, but the second is scheduled to start in 2023.

Another 15 residents are to be added.

The ARISE program in Alexandria, Virginia, will soon be giving residents their first round of $500 monthly checks.

The city confirmed to The US Sun that it’s on track to send the payments in February – although it couldn’t give an exact date.

“There are still a handful of unknowns,” the city said.

“Participants will be notified of the exact timing of the first payment as soon as we know, and we will publicly release an update shortly thereafter.”

Monthly payments of between $200 and $400 for Chelsea Eats in Massachusetts are due this month.

To qualify, low-income Chelsea residents must apply online no later than 12pm on Friday 6 January.

“I’m expecting the first cash distribution at the end of January,” Chelsea city manager Tom Ambrosino previously told The US Sun.

For more related stories, 12 states are offering direct cash to parents.

And check out three bonus payouts ranging from $50 to $13,500 that will be paid out in 2023.