In the upcoming installment of the Los Angeles guaranteed income program known as Breathe, participants can anticipate the prompt distribution of a $1,000 payment. The program aims to provide financial assistance to 1,000 individuals every month for approximately three years. These payments are scheduled to be issued by the Strength Based Community Change agency of Los Angeles County on the 15th day of each month.
A group of 1,000 individuals, specifically former foster children aged 21 to 23 from the LA County Department of Children and Family Services, have been designated as recipients in a program aimed at assisting them in attaining financial stability. The program, known as Breathe, facilitates this support by disbursing monthly payments to the recipients through debit cards, eliminating the necessity for a traditional bank account.
“Breathe” Program Expands to Aid Former Foster Children in Los Angeles County
The application period for Breathe commenced on March 31, 2022, and concluded on April 13, 2022. The initial round of payments commenced in June 2022, and the program is slated to conclude in August 2025. Breathe is regarded as a pilot initiative with aspirations to expand in the future, aiming to benefit a larger population within Los Angeles County, as stated on the program’s official website.
To broaden the scope of the program, an expansion is set to include 200 additional recipients, all of whom are former foster children from the DCFS. These individuals will receive monthly payments of $1,000 over a span of two years. The application period for this expansion opened on June 20 and recently closed on Monday.
What are welfare benefits in the United States?
Welfare benefits in the United States are government programs designed to provide financial or material support to individuals and families in need. These programs, collectively referred to as the “social safety net,” are typically funded by taxpayer dollars and administered at the federal, state, and local levels. The benefits aim to reduce poverty, support economic stability, and ensure a basic standard of living for all residents.
Here are some of the key welfare programs in the U.S.:
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Formerly known as “food stamps,” SNAP provides eligible low-income individuals and families with electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards, which can be used to purchase food items.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): This program provides financial assistance to pregnant women and families with one or more dependent children. TANF funds can be used to cover basic needs like food, shelter, utilities, and non-medical home supplies.
Medicaid: Medicaid is a health coverage program for low-income people of all ages. The federal government sets the broad guidelines, but each state administers its own program with some variation in eligibility and covered services.
Medicare: Medicare primarily provides health insurance for individuals aged 65 and older, though it also covers some younger people with specific disabilities.
Housing Assistance: There are various forms of housing assistance, including public housing, rental subsidies, and housing vouchers (like the Section 8 program), that aim to make housing more affordable for low-income households.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI): This program provides cash assistance to elderly, blind, or disabled individuals who have little to no income.
Unemployment Insurance: This is a joint federal-state program that provides temporary financial assistance to eligible workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own. Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): This is a refundable tax credit for low to moderate-income working individuals and couples, particularly those with children.
The eligibility for these programs is determined based on a variety of factors, including income, family size, disability status, and employment status. It’s important to note that welfare programs are means-tested, meaning they are designed to aid those with the greatest need.