HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Elected officials in Harris County have created a guaranteed income program aimed at helping residents in our community who are in need. However, dozens of people in need of the extra help have been told that they cannot apply because they are ineligible.
According to the requirements, undocumented residents in the county are not eligible for the $500 monthly check being handed out from the Uplift Harris program.
To other residents, the monthly check will come with no strings attached as long as you’re 18 or older, and reside in one of the 10 different high-poverty area codes identified by the pilot program.
Officials said that undocumented residents will not be able to apply because the program is federally funded through the American Rescue Plan.
“For us, it’s unfortunate that people who live in fully undocumented households are not going to be able to receive this money. We would have liked to see that differently,” said executive director of FIEL Houston Cesar Espinosa. “We are hopeful there are ways that people can apply that live in mixed-status households. The problem is that there hasn’t been outreach done, at least in this community.”
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo also added that in the future, she would like to have an all-inclusive program.
Residents in areas like Acres Home, Sunnyside, and Galena Park who are living 200% below the federal poverty line will be able to apply. The application process for will begin on Friday.
If selected, Uplift Harris says you will be notified one month after the application process.