A fresh round of monthly payments is landing in four U.S. cities, giving Americans a financial breather right when many are struggling to cover the basics.
This time, folks in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, and Sacramento are the lucky ones, with checks of up to $1,500 being distributed through locally run programs that are all about putting money directly in people’s pockets, no hoops, no hassle.
In Los Angeles, the “Breathe” initiative continues full steam ahead, sending out payments of up to $1,500 each month to over a thousand participants. It’s designed to fight poverty and offer financial flexibility for those most in need. Meanwhile, Chicago’s “Resilient Communities” program, first launched in 2022, is expected to open up new rounds soon, with thousands already benefiting from earlier waves.
Atlanta is doing things differently with its “In Her Hands” project, targeting Black women who have long faced disproportionate financial struggles. Over in Sacramento, artists are stepping into the spotlight. Through the Creative Growth Fellowship Program, 200 creatives are getting $850 per month for a year to support their craft. But the city isn’t stopping there, another program is also giving low-income families $725 a month.
What sets these efforts apart is their simplicity. Unlike traditional aid, there’s no complicated eligibility web, no drug testing, and no employment requirements. That freedom, advocates say, allows recipients to truly make decisions based on what’s best for their lives, not just what checks a box on a form.
Opponents worry this could disincentivize work, but cities like Newark have already shown otherwise. An independent study from the University of Pennsylvania revealed that recipients there experienced significant life improvements without giving up employment. That kind of data has reignited interest in even bigger possibilities, like universal basic income.
These city-run efforts have been fueled in part by federal pandemic recovery funds, which gave local governments the power to experiment. As inflation lingers and wages stretch thin, the idea of no-strings-attached payments is gaining momentum, especially as more cities watch their peers roll out successful models.
In the end, the conversation is shifting from whether people deserve direct financial support to how fast more communities can get these programs off the ground. If you’re in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, or Sacramento, it’s worth keeping your eyes peeled. Another round might be coming sooner than you think.
- Americans in Four Cities Are About to Get $1,000 Checks Again - June 27, 2025
- DoorDash Just Copied Walmart’s Drone Move in Bold New Rollout - June 27, 2025
- Costco Membership’s Hidden Perk Saves Shopper $88 - June 27, 2025
