Prince George’s Co. launches new guaranteed income program. Here’s who’s eligible

A new pilot program in Prince George’s County, Maryland, will provide a financial boost to some families.

“This program is really about supporting people and their personal dignity,” said Tonia Wellons, president and CEO of the Greater Washington Community Foundation.

Wellons said the launch of the ‘Thrive Prince George’s’ guaranteed income pilot program aims to help close the income gap for families.

“If you can barely make ends meet, it’s absolutely impossible to make good decisions,” Wellons said.

The public-private partnership will provide monthly payments of $800 to 50 young adults ages 18 to 24 who are no longer in foster care, as well as more than 125 individuals ages 60 and older.

It is led by the Greater Washington Community Foundation, the Prince George’s County Executive and Council, and the Meyer Foundation.

The pilot program costs a total of $4 million and is funded using public and private resources, with participating partners each contributing $1 million to the program.

“This initiative is an innovative example of how we are finding solutions through public-private partnerships,” said Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. “Through this collaborative pilot program, we are weaving a stronger social fabric and empowering people to pursue their aspirations with dignity and resilience. »

While several guaranteed basic income pilot programs are currently underway in the Washington, D.C. area, including Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax County, D.C., and Montgomery County, this is the first guaranteed basic income program guaranteed to serve Prince George’s County exclusively.

The payments will last two years and will be supported by several local nonprofit organizations.

“It’s not just a matter of handing them cash and leaving them to their own devices. It’s really about money, support and other services,” Wellons said.

Applications are expected to open in December and the first payments are expected to arrive early next year.

“All communities will benefit when people who live in those communities can do so with less difficulty and with the means to honor their self-determination,” said Dr. George Askew, a pediatrician and president and CEO of the Meyer Foundation.

These pilot projects aim to reduce ownership. That’s the hope of the nonprofits gathered Tuesday to launch the pilot program.

“Studies have shown that modest guaranteed basic income pilots can reduce poverty by up to 40 percent,” Wellons said.