The uplift you need to thrive!

Uplift Harris is a guaranteed income pilot that allows participating households to receive $500 per month for 18 months. Similar programs across the country have shown that direct cash assistance programs deliver wide-ranging social and financial benefits for participating families and the broader community


Program Overview

The COVID-19 pandemic magnified many long-standing health and economic inequities in the community. In response, Harris County is investing $20.5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to address economic inequity and reduce poverty. Uplift Harris, the county’s first guaranteed income program, will distribute $500 per month for 18 months to eligible households.

The pilot will serve residents of two cohorts. The first cohort includes residents who live within the top 10 high-poverty zip codes in Harris County. The second cohort includes priority populations under ACCESS, a coordinated and client-centered safety net service delivery model administered by Harris County Public Health. Participants of both cohorts will be randomly selected through a lottery process. Through initiatives like Uplift Harris, Harris County is committed to creating positive, lasting change in our community by addressing economic disparities and supporting those most in need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Uplift Harris will provide low-income families and households with direct, unconditional financial support to meet their household’s basic needs like rent, groceries, transportation, housing and utilities, and health care.

Nearly 2,000 participating households living below 200% of the federal poverty line (FPL) will receive $500 per month for 18 months to support their household needs.

Households for the pilot program will either be randomly selected from the top 10 high-poverty ZIP codes in Harris County or from their participation in ACCESS Harris County (Accessing Coordinated Care and Empowering Self Sufficiency).

Program Needs

Despite the area’s vast prosperity, Harris County has among the highest rates of economic inequity in the country, with 16.4% of residents living in poverty.

Economic inequity negatively impacts families and undermines our region’s overall well-being and economic health.

Among other issues, the COVID-19 pandemic and economic inflation have magnified these inequities.

A guaranteed income program is an effective tool that can empower communities within Harris County by providing them with the resources they need to support their families.

For many Harris County households, a small monthly infusion of unconditional cash can make the difference between stability and deep poverty.

Program Goals

Improving self-sufficiency

Reducing generational poverty

Reducing income volatility

Reducing housing instability

Reducing food insecurity

Improving physical and mental health

Creating a framework for sustainable, equitable anti-poverty programs within Harris County

Due to a lawsuit filed against Harris County by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Uplift Harris, Harris County has been ordered by the Supreme Court of Texas to pause payments.

Unfortunately, the first payment will not be delivered as originally planned. We regret sharing this news and will update you as soon as we have more information.

Harris County will continue to defend the Uplift Harris program in court and work to bring much-needed resources to Harris County residents.

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