By Dianne Anderson

Free doesn’t always mean cheap.

Not too many people would turn up their noses at $500 a month in free money, but if only they knew how fast the clock is ticking on applications.

Of those who apply no later than January 24 at 11:59 p.m., the Guaranteed Income Program in Long Beach will select 200 low-income residents to receive extra monthly income for one year. The application is open for eligible residents at  www.longbeachpledge.org <http://www.longbeachpledge.org/>.

“From the first cohort of this program, we learned more about the extent of the financial and housing insecurities residents face locally,” said Mayor Rex Richardson in a statement. “Through the program’s expansion, we are continuing to provide critical financial support to families most in need. I encourage all eligible residents to apply so they can receive financial support for everyday necessities.”

To qualify, households with dependent children and gross household income, before taxes, must be 100% or less of the federal poverty level. Residents must live in zip codes 90802, 90804, 90805,90806, and 90810.

The application is open for eligible residents through Jan. 24 at 11:59 p.m. at longbeachpledge.org

April Parker said the Guaranteed income program has been tested in many states to impact areas of health, and to determine and track how the extra money is making positive changes in their lives.

Her foundation handles emergency financial relief for residents of Long Beach.

Parker, who has a background in government procurement, said there are great community based programs in the city for those who are familiar with, subscribe to the city’s website, or can stay on top of the latest news.

“But the hardworking folks that just have their heads down doing the work, our foundation is committed to market these types of programs to community members so that they actually get the benefit because they won’t know about it,” said Parker, Executive Director at April Parker Foundation.

In the past, she was involved in getting the guaranteed income program information out to the community. Although she was not selected in the RFP this time around, she is dedicated to getting the word out beyond whatever contracts their foundation receives.

She said her main goal in going door to door, passing out flyers and spreading the information is to affect health, social and economic outcomes in the community.

“Most of the work we do, we’ve been doing it before we even got a dime for it,” she said. “We’re not paid, but it’s our commitment to the community. If there are free funds available for them from the city then it lessens the impact on our resources as a foundation to give more benefits to the people we serve.”

Eloise Parker, no relation, said she briefly saw online information that the Guaranteed Income program was going to roll out, but wasn’t aware of the application process or deadline.

For the people she serves, she said $500 more a month would be life-changing. She plans to spread the information far and wide to families she knows in need.

Over the last year, her nonprofit served over 1,100 low income people, not just the unhoused, but also the very lowest income families and individuals in the city. Over the holidays, she helped hundreds at various locations, including LBCC Carson campus unhoused students.

“A lot of people could use that kind of money,” said Eloise Parker, founder of GP Care Packages and Blankets of Love. “It’s heartwrenching and really disheartening. You can only do what you can do. As long as we’re trying to help others, that’s the most important key for our lives.”

The money comes by way of the California Department of Social Services, which awarded roughly $25 million in grant funding to seven guaranteed income pilot projects across the state. The pilot will serve 1,975 individuals statewide with monthly payments ranging from $600-$1,200 a month for 12 to 18 months. Other pilots will help during pregnancy, or those aging out of extended foster care.

“We are excited to launch these groundbreaking pilot projects throughout California and I want to thank the Governor and Legislature for yet another historic investment in the fight against poverty in California,” said CDSS Director Kim Johnson. “These pilots will serve as an important opportunity to assess the impact of an economic intervention during key life transitions, such as the birth of a child or entry into independence after extended foster care.”

Help with applications is available at the Family Learning Centers at Billy Jean King Main Library, the Michelle Obama Library, and Burnett Neighborhood Library. Also, the Pacific Gateway The Workplace and Future LB. Payments are expected to start in the spring of 2024.

For more information on the state’s other pilot programs, see https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/guaranteed-basic-income-projects

To support GP Care Packages and Blankets of Love, see https://gpcarepackages.org/

For Library locations, see https://longbeach.gov/library/visit/locations/