This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
El Monte Launches Guaranteed Income Program For Single Mothers
A sign for the city of El Monte.
(
Ringo H.W. Chiu
/
Getty Images
)
The city of El Monte has launched a guaranteed income program that will provide 125 single mothers with $500 per month for one year.
To be eligible, applicants must be female heads of household with no spouse present and dependents under the age of 18, residents of El Monte, and able to verify their income is at or below poverty level.
City Councilmember Alma Puente said the decision to issue the funds was influenced in part by data from 2021, which showed the negative impact of the pandemic on some residents.
"Specifically, seeing how single mothers with no spouse in the household with dependent children were being affected economically," she said, "and in terms of attempting to get back into the workforce if they had been displaced during the pandemic."
The program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, which gives cities the chance to help their residents offset the financial burdens from the pandemic.
“This is one of the most direct ways that we can deploy ARPA funds to the most vulnerable residents in our El Monte community,” said El Monte City Manager Alma Martinez in a statement.
Sponsored message
To administer and evaluate the program, the city partnered with the RAND Corporation.
Applications for the program opened on March 27, and will remain open until April 15. They can be submitted online or in person.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
