The Los Angeles Stimulus Check Is to Be Disbursed in the Next Few Days

Supporting Financial Stability for Former Foster Children

The “Breathe” program has specifically targeted a group of 1,000 individuals, aged 21 to 23, who were formerly in the care of the LA County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). These recipients will receive monthly financial assistance through the program, allowing them to attain greater financial stability. Notably, the program’s structure eliminates the need for a traditional bank account, as payments will be delivered via debit cards.

Expansion Plans for the Future

Launched as a pilot initiative, the “Breathe” program aspires to expand its reach in the future, intending to support a larger population within Los Angeles County. To achieve this goal, the program is set to include an additional 200 recipients who are former foster children from the DCFS. These individuals will also receive monthly payments of $1,000 over a two-year period. The application period for this expansion recently closed on Monday after opening on June 20.

Understanding Welfare Benefits in the United States

Welfare benefits in the United States encompass a range of government programs designed to provide financial and material support to individuals and families in need. Often referred to as the “social safety net,” these programs are funded by taxpayer dollars and administered at federal, state, and local levels. The primary aim is to alleviate poverty, promote economic stability, and ensure a basic standard of living for all residents.

Some key welfare programs in the U.S. include:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Providing electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards to eligible low-income individuals and families for purchasing food items.
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): Offering financial assistance to pregnant women and families with dependent children to cover basic needs such as food, shelter, utilities, and non-medical home supplies.
• Medicaid: A health coverage program for low-income individuals of all ages, with each state administering its own program with varying eligibility and covered services.
• Medicare: Providing health insurance primarily for individuals aged 65 and older, as well as some younger people with specific disabilities.

• Housing Assistance: Offering various forms of aid, including public housing, rental subsidies, and housing vouchers (e.g., Section 8), to make housing more affordable for low-income households.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Supplying cash assistance to elderly, blind, or disabled individuals with little to no income.
• Unemployment Insurance: Providing temporary financial aid to eligible workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own.
• Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): A refundable tax credit for low to moderate-income working individuals and couples, particularly those with children.

Eligibility for these programs is determined based on factors such as income, family size, disability status, and employment status. Welfare programs are means-tested, aimed at aiding those with the greatest need.