Fairfax County will hand out monthly cash payments to struggling families
Fairfax County is launching an Economic Mobility Pilot next month to provide cash payments to 180 eligible households who are struggling economically but earn too much to qualify for federal assistance programs.
Participating families will receive a monthly payment of $750 for 15 months. They could use the money for anything they want.
They could also take advantage of optional financial coaching and supportive services to promote economic stability and social capital.
The pilot is financed through a combination of Fairfax County general fund dollars and Covid relief funds.
To participate, applicants must be employed, have at least one child aged 16 or younger, live in one of 10 zip codes, and meet the program’s income requirements.
The program will be available in zip codes 22003 (Annandale), 22041 (Bailey’s Crossroads, Falls Church, and Lincolnia), 22306 (Hybla Valley), 22309 (Mount Vernon), 20190 (Reston), 20191 (Reston), 20170 (Herndon), 22150 (Springfield), 20120 (Centreville), and 20151 (Chantilly).
Participants must have an income that falls between 150 percent and 250 percent of the 2023 federal poverty level.
That’s between $29,580 and $49,300 for a family of two, $45,000-$75,000 for a family of four, and $75,840-$126,400 for a family of eight.
The application period will run from Sept. 23 to Oct. 3.
Fairfax County says the Economic Mobility Pilot “promotes dignity and self-determination by enabling residents to take ownership of their own life and spending decisions.”
According to the county, research shows direct cash to families experiencing economic hardships has “significant, positive effects on financial stability, health and well-being, quality time with family, and gains in education and employment.”
George Mason University will conduct a research study of the pilot to determine whether unrestricted cash assistance has a positive impact on participants’ lives and whether the program should be expanded. Participants will decide whether they want to be part of the research study or opt out.
If a household’s income exceeds the income guidelines during the pilot, they will remain in the program. Applicants do not have to be U.S. citizens. The cash payments are not taxable.
Households receiving any public assistance benefits at the time of enrollment are not eligible. However, if that changes during the course of the pilot, they will continue to receive cash payments.
Due to the impact of additional income on Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Income, households with an individual receiving SSI or SSDI are not eligible to participate.
Arlington County and the City of Alexandria have similar cash payment programs.
Great. Give our money away to non-US citizens who have kids they can’t afford to support. What kind of message is that sending to irresponsible people? And it’s bad enough that non-citizens are eligible, but our money damn well better not be going to illegal aliens.
If you would like to trade your current lifestyle for $750 a month, I encourage you to do so.
That’s not the point Amy, the point is its not the government’s job to give my money away…your welfare state has now existed since the 60s…how has that worked out after how many trillions???
It is the point because people seem to think that the recipients of this money are living the high life on these funds. They’re not.
Are these payments for legal U.S. residents?
Thank you Bidennomics – great job progressives – now Fairfax is giving my money to low income people? Why aren’t these folks working two jobs like I did to make ends meet?
Because maybe the president doesn’t want people to have to struggle? Sorry you missed it but the current president cares about people not companies.
If it’s true that you worked two jobs to make ends meet, then I’m sorry that you were taken advantage of. At the time when you were working two jobs, perhaps you would have felt it wasn’t fair that some other folks were getting property tax cuts for the big luxurious homes they owned. While you had to work harder, your income taxes were being used to pay for their tax cuts.
Moral of the story: Giving a few poor people money is nothing compared to the massive tax cuts we give to wealthy homeowners.
Mark, Mark, Mark, you are so misguided. Have you had a formal education or do you simply regurgitate the tripe fraud-casted by the Right believing every word they preach.
Why would anybody be troubled by the county proving the trifling amount of $750/month to the deserving poor humans among us? Do you really worry about FC spending $0.00064 per county resident taxes for each of these families?
BTW Bidenomics has been a huge success. Millions of the country’s poor survived during the pandemic because of this government program…
Clarification: The total tax amount per FC resident is $0.007 per year. The $0.00064 amount above is the tax charged per month per citizen (per poor family receiving the $750).
You have won dumbest comment of the week. Congratulations!!
Our new social conscious dictates that all Americans are fully equal and no one is allowed to be smarter, better-looking, earn more money, or be more physically able than anyone else; and if you are, government will take your resources and give to others. Thus “handicapping” you to ensure equity. A version of the short story by Kurt Vaunneugt has come early.
Opinion. While Harrison Bergeron was a comment on government control, you could say the same thing about The Handmaid’s Tale where everyone is distinctly unequal – and look how that works out. But let’s get back to reality. We live in a society. People complain about the “government” while benefiting from their services daily. If I were a wheelchair user, you’d begrudge the funds spent on ramps? I don’t think that “our new social conscious” is all that new. The Declaration of Independence said something quite similar to our “conscious” that “dictates that all American are fully equal”.
Player Piano?
I love this. Research based government actions that will benefit us all. This is a fantastic investment that should pay off for everyone. Thanks for reporting on it.
Wow other rich counties already have plans like these. Cool I’m glad some people will actually getting help since companies get help all time. Finally people not companies. Also money isn’t going to pay for some tank that will cause harm on people.
Being poor does not help anyone. I am blessed with a job because I work hard, but also because I was able to afford a good education in a safe country (relatively speaking) where I was born by chance and luck. Not everyone starts out on equal footing. I knew there would be complaints in the comments, but these payments will benefit us all.
Just when I think that Fa. Co. can’t get any more like California, the BofS surprises me again. So, with our huge increase in property and personal property taxes, they have gone on a spending spree. First pay raises for them, then create a “green bank” to fund some of their special ideas. Now, they plan a “pilot” giveaway to needy families which include non-citizens. Couldn’t that money be put to better use like funding additional pay raises for teachers, police and firemen? For the needy people, how about job training or creating jobs that would serve them long term instead of giving one-time money for nothing? And the “study” criteria is whether it would benefit them? Ha. Give me some of my property taxes back and I am certain it will benefit me. This is a ridiculous way to justify giving away more. And where were the public comment times when citizens could express their views on how their tax money would be used? This board has decided that the Democrats in this county will vote for them no matter what, so they are free to carry out whatever ideas they come up with, and if they need more money, they will just raise taxes. You get what you vote for.
Unbelievable………………….I currently work 2 jobs, my wife typically works overtime at hers. Our income tax rate went up this year as well as our property taxes. Our household income now is @middle-class level. Our discretionary income has gone down to almost nothing.
Back when the financial crisis of 2008 hit, the ‘Great Recession’, we both lost our positions, essentially our careers, investments went down to virtually nothing and eventually lost our home. We ‘couched surfed’ briefly and both worked at multiple jobs that most people wouldn’t do at that time.
We both worked hard; all the way back, having good jobs and careers now. a nice home with substantial equity. It’s our come-back story and we did with God’s grace in less than 10 years. You know how much money that was just ‘given’ to us along the way? ………….”0″
By-the-way………………..where’s this money coming from?, or more specifically; whose money are you giving away?
This should be for legal residents and require financial counseling at least, not just offered. These plans are always short-sighted.
“People not companies”
Cool new saying that means the opposite of what you think it does. Is this the new yard sun that we’re all-in on?
I wonder how our forefathers would have handled news like this. Taxpayer revolt.
Horrible — I never even knew “that my family was poor” until my eldest sister passed and one of her daughters (my niece); came out with “well mom said you’all were poor”. Again both parents worked –in fact I started working at fourteen on tobacco; sewing tobacco — UGH.
Terrible —
How about passing out birth control —
What kind of people have WE put into office–
You have had some of the wokest comments in the past 2 years, and now you’re jumping ship? THIS is too far? L.O.L.
I support helping the needy, and I’d support a Universal Basic Income. But I think all levels of government need to do better at addressing poverty.
The amount of money the government is giving to poor people is miniscule compared to how much they give directly to the richest amount us.
Even this with program, these people aren’t acquiring wealth. This money that the government is giving them, is immediately going to be spent on housing, energy, transportation, and food. So, its not really even a handout to the poor, it’s a handout to the landlords, exxonMobil, Dominion Power, Ford and GM, and Safeway and Giant.
I agree, Joe.
I am unable to go to the store without being harassed by vagrants. This is only the beginning.
Look at San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago for a glimpse into our future. The real art will be timing the market to sell real estate at its peak, before it completely tanks.
Note: A previous comment was made that impersonated me. That comment was not made by me. It has been removed by the blog.
How do we know this is the real Jeffrey Longo? Also, what if there is another Jeffrey Longo? What name is he allowed to post under?
Seriously though, adopting some standard login mechanism would likely elevate the quality of discussion.
Who’s to say that all the comments on one side of an issue aren’t the same poster using different names?
Not sure if it was malfeasance, the past few times I’ve gone to comment your name and email address populated the fields directly below the comment field. Weird, right?
I’ve seen that. I meant to notify the blog about it. I cannot imagine that showing people’s email addresses is desired behavior
I agree with Mark. IT IS NOT THE GOVERNMENT’S JOB TO GIVE AWAY TAXPAYER MONEY, no matter how altruistic anyone may think this purpose.
Government exists to purchase those services and products, common to all, that an individual can not buy him/herself. A warship, a street, a bridge, etc.
People help people not governments. For the most part, people steal from governments – whether rich or poor. These folks should be approaching any number of religious organizations that can help them – Catholic Charities is a good start, Lutheran Services another. There are scores. People help people; governments should stay out of the help thy neighbor business. They are so inefficient and inept.
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So you would rather have Fairfax County families go hungry then have $0.007 per FC resident assist a human family among us?
Margaret Thatcher put it pretty well:
“The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people’s money.”
No Religion – Yes – I would like to see people go hungry – did you read the qualifications – family of two can make pretty good money and still get my money…give them your money -and where is the other parent and why aren’t they being made to pay child support?