Tacoma’s Guaranteed Income Initiative: Financial Stability for Select Families
$500 Check Monthly for Tacoma Residents: See If You Qualify—No Conditions! (PHOTO: Inc. Magazine)
Eligibility Criteria and Application Process for $500 Check
Tacoma is introducing the Growing Resilience in Tacoma (GRIT) program, a joint venture that brings together the City of Tacoma, the Washington State Economic Services Administration, Pierce County, and the United Way of Pierce County. This collaborative initiative seeks to address poverty by offering a monthly $500 check or allowance for a duration of 12 months to 175 families chosen at random. The objective is to support these families in improving their economic stability, securing housing, and bolstering mental well-being. Notably, the funds come with no restrictions, granting families the autonomy to navigate financial challenges on their terms. This approach is designed to empower households in handling financial crises independently.
To be eligible for participation in the GRIT program, individuals must be sole heads of households with dependent children (aged up to 17 or 21 if there’s a disability). Residency is restricted to specific zip codes (98404, 98405, 98408, 98409, 98418, 98444, or 98445). Additionally, applicants need to satisfy the Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained while Employed criteria set by the United Way, ensuring their incomes fall between 100% and 200% of the Federal Poverty Line based on household size. Those interested can access applications in various languages via https://www.uwpc.org/grit-20-guaranteed-income-project, with the submission deadline set for March 1.
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Empowering Families and Alleviating Inequities:
The assured income initiative is a reaction to the expanding movement that seeks to empower families through the provision of crucial resources, with the goal of alleviating feelings of overwhelm, toxic stress, and overarching poverty. In Pierce County, more than 25% of households grapple with challenges in meeting fundamental needs, a situation further complicated by the impacts of the COVID pandemic and economic inflation. The GRIT program is an extension of the achievements of a comparable initiative introduced in 2021, offering assistance to 110 families in Tacoma. Feedback from participants across the country underscores the favorable outcomes of the monthly financial aid, covering everyday necessities, bills, promoting family bonding, and contributing to future savings.
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