Means testing is essential to have the most impact on poverty – Cook County empirically proves
Ban, 2023 – Digital Editor for the National Association of Counties [Charles Feb 13, County News “Changing lives: ARPA funds Cook County guaranteed income pilot program” https://www.naco.org/articles/changing-lives-arpa-funds-cook-county-guaranteed-income-pilot-program Acc 3/21/23 TA]
Applicants had to be 18 years or older, have a household income at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty level and not be participating in another guaranteed income program. Nearly 36 percent of Cook County residents were eligible. It’s not Cook County’s first foray into direct payments, though. Using Coronavirus Relief Fund money, the county allocated $2 million, which soon expanded to $9 million, in one-time allocations of $600 to $1,400. “I think that showed a lot of people inside Cook County government just how valuable this kind of a program could be,” Subkoviak said, noting that program served every person who applied. With the Cook County Promise, the 3,250 families were a compromise between offering families a significant amount and casting a wide net — and a large sample size. “We wanted to help as many people as we could, but at the same time we wanted to have really impacted each of those households’ lives,” Subkoviak said about the amounts. “This kind of assistance can make a difference in people’s lives beyond just being able to purchase things. This could give someone the cushion to be able to take time off work, or not have to take an extra shift and be able to see their kid’s soccer game. So many people are just working and sleeping and this can give them a chance to take a breath.”