‘Guaranteed Minimum Income’ Coming For Some In Mercer County

An international nonprofit that works to end poverty is launching a guaranteed minimum income program for one county in West Virginia. 

In partnership with local organizations including CASEWV, Inc., Second Chances,  WVSU Healthy Grandfamilies and the Mercer County Schools ICARE program, GiveDirectly is offering $1,500 per month for 16 months – with no strings attached – to 560 households in Mercer County. 

Recipients must be at least 18 years old, residents of Mercer County and living at or below 200% of the federal poverty level – roughly $31,300 for an individual with $11,000 for each additional household member.

For those who qualify, the selection process is random and participants can spend the money however they’d like to, whether it’s starting a small business, buying a car or making home repairs.  

Organizers say the hope is to have a positive impact far beyond the individual recipients.

“We also do see that when we have these kinds of cash programs, we see positive impacts for children in their academic success, attendance, we see increased health outcomes, we see a bunch of positive results that we’re hoping are true for the recipients, but also are able to spread across the entire community,” said program manager Tony Soliz Cruz.

The Rural Income for Self Empowerment guaranteed minimum income – or RISE GMI – program is funded by tech founder and philanthropist Jeff Atwood whose father is from Mercer County.

“So it was really important for him to be able to serve this community, and also to make sure, of course, that we were doing everything we can to make sure that everyone has a fair shot, Soliz Cruz said.

“Today more and more people find their path to the American Dream blocked,” Atwood said in a press release. “When Americans face unaffordable education, lack of accessible healthcare, or lack affordable housing, they aren’t just disadvantaged – they’re trapped. [Guaranteed Minimum Income] is a simpler, more practical, more scalable plan to directly address the root of economic insecurity with minimum bureaucracy.” 

Applications for the program will be open Oct. 14 through 31. Interested residents can learn more here.