Newsbreak: $500 Monthly Payments Offered to Low-Income Families in Iowa through UpLift Program

Starting today, low-income residents of Iowa can apply for the UpLift program, which will provide them with $500 in monthly payments to cover basic needs. The initiative, which is one of the guaranteed income programs across the country, aims to help recipients find better full-time employment, bolster their mental and physical health, and cover unexpected emergencies, based on a report by Virginia Barreda in The Des Moines Register on February 16, 2023.

UpLift is available to certain Iowa residents who must meet specific requirements to qualify. They must live in Dallas, Polk, or Warren Counties and have at least one dependent who is 25 years old or younger. Additionally, applicants must have a household income at or below 60 percent of the area’s median income, which is $59,190 for a family of four.

Interested individuals who meet these requirements can apply online until the Monday, February 27 deadline. A total of 110 people will be selected to participate in the program through a random selection process. Selected participants will be notified, and they will receive $500 per month for two years.

UpLift was launched with the help of nonpartisan research firm The Harkin Institute, according to a report by The US Sun on February 17, 2023. Michael Berger, the programmer of UpLift, noted that many central Iowans are spending a significant portion of their income on housing, leaving little room for other essential expenses. He hopes the program will help low-income residents cover basic needs and improve their quality of life.