Applications for $725 monthly payments to Sacramento County families open

(FOX40.COM) — Applications for some families in Sacramento County to apply for $725 a month guaranteed income opened Monday.

The guaranteed income is a part of the Family First Economic Support Pilot (FFESP) program to help underprivileged families in the area. FFESP helps qualified recipients meet basic needs and promote the safety and well-being of children, according to Sacramento County. Most of all, the program aims to reduce instances of child abuse or neglect and help keep children out of the state’s taxing foster system.

Funding for the pilot program came from the California Department of Social Services which released a state block grant. Sacramento County said implementing FFESP is speaking to the need.

Studies show there is a disproportionate number of Black or African American children in foster care. As compared to White children in Sacramento, Black children are 4.6 times as likely to have a Child Protective Services allegation investigated and 4.5 times as likely to be removed from their families, according to Sacramento County. American Indian and Native Alaskan children are 2.9 times as likely to have a Child Protective Services allegation investigated. For that reason, applicants must be parents or legal guardians caring for Black, American Indian, or Alaska Native (Native American) children ages 0-5​.

Additionally, applicants must have an annual household income, before taxes, of less than 200% of the federal poverty line. They must also live in zip codes 95815, 95821, 95823,95828, 95825, or 95838, according to the program’s website . FFESP applications close Oct. 13 at 11:59 p.m. To apply visit fesp.org .

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