HOUSTON – Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Harris County Public Health Executive Director Barbie Robinson discussed Uplift Harris a day before eligible households can start applying for the guaranteed income program.
The application opens Jan. 12 at 9 a.m. and closes on Feb. 2 at 11:59 p.m. Over 1,900 eligible households in select ZIP codes can register to receive $500 a month for 18 months starting as early as March. Eligible applicants must be 18 or older, have a household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty line, and live on one of the following zip codes: 77026, 77028, 77033, 77050, 77051, 77060, 77081, 77091, 77093, or 77547.
The program is the fifth largest publicly funded guaranteed income project in the country. Applicants from 10 targeted ZIP codes will be randomly selected for the program. They can use the monthly payments from Uplift Harris to cover essential needs such as rent, groceries, transportation, housing, utilities, health care, and other necessities.
Active members in the ACCESS (Accessing Coordinated Care and Empowering Self Sufficiency) Harris County program will be provided with a separate Uplift Pilot application, the Uplift Harris website said. ACCESS members can contact their case manager with questions about accessing and submitting the application.
Residents without access to a computer, tablet, smartphone, and/or the internet are encouraged to visit an application assistance partner to receive help completing their application.
Undocumented residents can apply if there is someone 18 and older in the household who is documented.
According to a news release, the ARPA-funded Uplift Harris is a $20.5 million program that’s part of Harris County’s broader strategy to address the region’s economic inequality and reduce poverty.
“Uplift Harris Pilot represents a significant step forward in Harris County’s commitment to tackling poverty and building a more equitable future for all residents,” a release said.
For more information, visit Uplift.HarrisCountyTX.gov or call 832-927-6060.