Americans to lose $1,000 ‘Big Leap’ support from April – see if you’re affected
Americans are set to lose $1,000 a month in "Big Leap" support starting from April after the scheme was slashed.
The universal basic income program, which is known as BIG: LEAP, will see thousands of Americans in Los Angeles, US, with less cash in their bank accounts each month.
More than $38million (£30 million) was distributed to households to help people pay for their backdated bills, rent and school tuition.
The scheme has provided support for over 3,200 low-income households who relied on the $1,000 (£800) a month.
People entitled to the payment received their last instalment on March 25, according to local authorities.
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The universal basic income program, which is known as BIG: LEAP, will see thousands of Americans with less cash (Getty Images/EyeEm)The scheme was piloted by the City of Los Angeles Community Investment For Families Department (CIFD).
Abigail R. Marquez, general manager of CIFD, said the support was "incredibly impactful" for participants but resources are having to be slashed.
She said: "The program was incredibly impactful for Angelenos, but we know more resources are needed to sufficiently support families long term, and we're committed to finding ways to advance programs and policies that disrupt the cycle of generational poverty."
Who could apply?
Participants had to submit an application between October 29 and November 26, 2021.
If approved by authorities, the city put on appointments which ran from January to April 2022.
Low-income families and individuals who had wages below the federal poverty level could only apply for the $1,000 a month.
People also had to be at 18-years-old to apply and had at least one child - or be pregnant.
In addition, proof of falling behind on bills or experiencing hardship was needed to help support the application.
Can I get further support?
Americans who were in receipt of the payment can get help from FamilySource Centres (FSCs), and community partners.
The city is now focusing on funding a "follow-up Guaranteed Income program" to help those in need.
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Applicants in Palm Springs, California, will be told if they qualify for $500 (£406) monthly payments or not.
In Sacramento, Mayor Darrell Steinberg is aiming to use $750,000 (£609,000) in funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to launch another support for low-income households.
The program was set-up to provide 100 households in the area with $300 (£243) in monthly support but with the first phase set to come to a close in May, 80 new families are eligible to apply until the middle of April.
Meanwhile, creatives in Minnesota are due to get their first payment of $500 (£400) this month after 75 participants who were impacted by the pandemic were randomly chosen to receive support from Springboard’s Coronavirus Personal Emergency Relief Fund.
And in Ohio, a group of participants in Yellow Springs and Miami Township will be getting $7,200 (£5,800) in payments across two years.
The program is in its first phrase with a second round of participants set to apply in the summer - with a further 15 set to be added.
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