The Chicago Resilient Communities Pilot is a $31.5 million dollar commitment from Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the City of Chicago’s Department of Family and Support Services as part of her effort to tackle poverty and put residents at the center of the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. 5,000 Chicagoans will be selected through an open application and a citywide lottery to receive $500 per month for twelve months, with no strings attached. That means that there are no limitations on how the money can be spent by recipients. The Mayor believes that people living with poverty simply do not have enough money to make ends meet. Cash assistance changes that circumstance and empowers residents to decide how to best meet their financial needs and goals.
Neighborhood
West Garfield Park
Category
Women, Families, and Kids under 18, Covid impacts and Health
City of Chicago, Department of Family and Support Services, GiveDirectly
Other Affiliations
AidKit, University of Chicago Inclusive Economy Lab, Economic Security Project, Economic Security for Illinois, Harvard Government Performance Lab, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago
IMPLEMENTATION DATA
Implementation Dates
June 2022 - May 2023
Implementation Status
Concluded
Total Number of Participants
5000
Type of Funding
Public
Participants Receiving the Transfer
Individuals
Transfer Amount
$500 USD
Frequency of Payment
Monthly
Duration of Payment
12 months
Other Intervention Components
N/A
Is Use of Funds Available?
No
Is the Pilot a Randomized Control Trial (RCT)?
Yes
Other Intervention Components
N/A
TARGETING INFORMATION
Type of Tagergeting
Individual/household means-testing
Targeting Details
Individuals 18 years and older with income at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level (up to $32,200 for single household) who have experienced economic hardship related to COVID-19
