Don't sleep on this opportunity. LA County is set to launch a guaranteed income program, providing $1,000 per month for three years for 1,000 people selected at random. The deadline is Wednesday, April 13.
"The financial uncertainty and varying depths of poverty that millions of our constituents experience day to day cannot be addressed with a one-size-fits-all approach. Now is our opportunity to invest in support that directly reaches our residents,'' Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Holly Mitchell said previously of the program.
Mitchell and Sheila Kuehl introduced the program, and it was approved by the Board of Supervisors May 18, 2021.
In order to be eligible, LA County residents must meet several requirements to apply.
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Here's what you need to know.
How will LA’s guaranteed income program work?
The guaranteed income program will provide 1,000 eligible residents who are selected with a $1,000 per month for three years.
What is a guaranteed income program?
A guaranteed income program is one that is designed to help residents by providing them with a monthly cash payment with no strings attached or rules on how to spend the money.
The guaranteed income is meant to be supplemental, and is not meant to replace any other forms of income into a household.
Who is eligible for Breathe?
Eligible applicants must be 18 years old and have a household income under $56,000 for a single person, or $96,000 for a family of four. Applicants also must have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Applicants must meet all the requirements listed on the program's website in order to be eligible.
- Applicant must be at least 18 years old
- Must live in an LA County neighborhood that falls at or below 100% of the County's Area Median Household Income (AMI)
- Have been negatively affected in a financial way by the COVID-19 pandemic
- Have a household income that falls at or below 100% of the County's AMI for a single person household, or have a household income that falls at or below 120% of the County’s AMI for households with two or more persons
- Not be currently enrolled in another guaranteed income program offered by the county, the city itself or another city, or a public or private entity
How to apply for the LA County income program
The first step is to fill out the online screening tool which checks if someone is eligible by meeting all the requirements.
If you meet all the requirements, the next step is completing the online application survey form.
This application form can be filled out on a computer or a cellphone. If you do not have access to a device to complete the online forms, the website provides resources where you can receive assistance in completing the application.
How do I contact someone to ask questions about this program?
You can call 213-342-1003 for more information.
How will money be dispersed?
Money will be given, no strings attached, via a debit card provided by the county.
When will LA announce who was selected for Breathe?
One thousand applicants will be selected at random for the program.
The time and date someone submits their application will not affect their ability to be selected as long as it is within the application dates.
Have other cities launched programs like Breathe?
Breathe is a program run by the county.
The City of El Monte is also launching a guaranteed income program. In El Monte's program, 125 eligible participants will receive $500 a month for one year. Outreach and enrollment for the program is expected to begin in May.
The City of Long Beach also is aiming to launch a guaranteed income program. Residents living below the poverty line in the 90813 zip code would be eligible to receive $500 per month for a year. Most recently, the city was taking applications for vendors to implement the program.
The City of Los Angeles launched a guaranteed income program in 2021, and applications closed in November.
Why did LA County launch a guaranteed income program?
LA County decided to launch this program after early research found that a program like this would be able to provide residents with financial stability. This would allow them to breathe easier, alleviate stress, and also allow them to fully participate in their communities.
