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Here’s an update from the Breathe Guaranteed Income Project. The County of Los Angeles has activated Breathe: LA County’s Guaranteed Income Program. Only 1,000 participants were randomly selected for this pilot program. According to the City News Service, PATCH recipients were chosen randomly from more than 180,000 people who applied for the program. Monthly payments to participants will be distributed through debit cards.
Breathe is a pilot program which the project hopes will usher in something more expansive in the future that will serve more people in Los Angeles County.
There is a national movement happening to understand and address the real need in our community. This program is just the first step in the County’s determination to address poverty.
Early research suggests that a Guaranteed Income program can provide households with financial stability during sharp economic swings to breathe a little easier, alleviate stress, and broaden recipients’ horizons, allowing them the time to complete deferred education and job training, as well as plans to fully participate in their communities. Importantly, these programs come without the scrutiny and work requirements of certain public benefits.
For Los Angelenos who were not selected for the program, but still need assistance, below are just some of the additional local resources that will hopefully be helpful:
- Community resources, including supports for: utilities, METRO, housing, employment, food, child care, legal aid, mental health and others: https://www.sbcc.community/breathe
- Food assistance/Food bank: https://www.lafoodbank.org/find-food/pantry-locator/
- Job training, job preparation, and job support to maintain employment: https://www.ajcc.lacounty.gov/home
- Cash assistance/public benefits: https://dpss.lacounty.gov/en.html
- Child care recourses: https://www.ccrcca.org/
- Domestic violence resources: https://downtownwomenscenter.org/
- Domestic violence Hotline: 1 (800) 978-3600
- Support for people at imminent risk of, or are already experiencing, homelessness: https://www.lahsa.org/get-help
- Legal assistance for renters facing eviction: https://www.stayhousedla.org/?msclkid=c104d6fcc13711ec977accef36ee52f0 or https://dcba.lacounty.gov/noevictions/
- Foreclosure prevention assistance: https://dcba.lacounty.gov/foreclosure-prevention/
- Mortgage relief: https://www.camortgagerelief.org/ or https://nhslacounty.org/mortgagereliefprogram/
