Mayor Lightfoot Announces April 25 Launch of Applications for the Chicago Resilient Communities Pilot

April 13, 2022

Mayor's Press Office    312.744.3334
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CHICAGO – Today, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and Department of Family and Support Services Commissioner Brandie Knazze announced updates on the Chicago Resilient Communities Pilot, a $31.5 million program to benefit Chicago residents and families facing economic hardships caused by COVID-19.  

The Chicago Resilient Communities Pilot will be one of the largest monthly cash assistance programs in the nation and will support 5,000 low-income households with $500 each month for 12 months to provide additional economic stability.  

The City’s nonprofit administrator for the pilot, GiveDirectly, will accept applications between 9:00 a.m. Monday, April 25 and 11:59 p.m. Friday, May 13. Residents can apply at any point during that 3-week window and be considered for the lottery in May. Application assistance will be available in-person, online with chat support, and through a phone hotline in multiple languages starting April 25. To learn more and sign up for application process updates, including future in-person and virtual application assistance events, visit chicago.gov/cashpilot.
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To apply for the lottery to participate, residents must live in the City of Chicago, be 18 years or older, have experienced economic hardship related to COVID-19, and have a household income at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level (ex. $57,575 for a household of 3). Applicants who are confirmed to be eligible will be entered into a lottery. Only one applicant per household can apply and be entered into the lottery. The lottery is designed to prioritize individuals living in poverty (at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level) and communities with preexisting economic hardship to align with the equitable recovery goal of theChicago Recovery Plan.‍‍

"I remain committed to making an equitable recovery from the pandemic to stabilize and ensure the wellbeing of all residents," said Mayor Lightfoot. "The Chicago Resilient Communities pilot is a way for us to efficiently support the communities and households that were hardest hit by the pandemic with dignity as well as build on our work to eradicate poverty. I'm deeply proud to launch the largest cash assistance program of its kind in the country as we continue to provide economic relief to residents and strengthen our city."  

Additionally, the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) also announced the selection of GiveDirectly with AidKit for the role of Pilot Administrator.  

‍GiveDirectly is an international nonprofit with expertise in administering one-time and monthly cash transfer programs internationally and in the U.S. for COVID-19 response. In the past decade, they've delivered $550m to 1.2 million people living in poverty, including over 200,000 low-income Americans. AidKit is a technology platform built to support efficient and secure direct cash and guaranteed income programs at scale. Both organizations are currently working in partnership to administer the “In Her Hands” guaranteed income initiative in Georgia.
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“GiveDirectly is thrilled to be supporting the City of Chicago’s efforts to build an equitable, accessible process that will benefit the most vulnerable and excluded populations. We're bringing over a decade of experience in delivering direct cash aid around the world. Our in goal in Chicago is to assure a best-in-class program design that is easy for enrollees to access, empowering them to use these funds on what they need the most.” – Sarah Moran, GiveDirectly, U.S. County Director  

"AidKit is invested in building technology that provides people with cash support in a scalable yet dignified way that is responsive to diverse needs and backgrounds. We're thrilled that Chicago shares this vision and look forward to setting a new national benchmark for guaranteed income programs." - Ben Newhouse, AidKit co-founder and CTO

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