City of Alexandria Encourages Eligible Residents to Apply for ARISE Guaranteed Income Pilot

Randomly selected participants receive $500 a month for two years, no restrictions on use

For Immediate Release: October 20, 2022  

The City of Alexandria is pleased to announce the upcoming opening of the application period for Alexandria’s Recurring Income for Success and Equity (ARISE), a guaranteed income pilot.  The application will be available online at alexandriava.gov/ARISE on October 31 and will remain open through November 9, 2022. 

Led by the Department of Community and Human Services, ARISE will randomly select 170 eligible applicants and provide them with $500 every month for 24 months to spend any way they choose. Guaranteed income pilots have proven to impact poverty and economic inequity by enabling participants to determine for themselves the budgetary strategies that will most benefit them and their families. ARISE will help the city test a bold, new way to ensure people have what they need to make decisions to support their well-being.

“We are providing financial resources to individuals and families so they are empowered to decide how to best meet the needs in their lives,” said Mayor Justin Wilson. “We are creating this unique program to evolve the ways that we assist our neighbors in need of extra support. That is what ARISE is about.”

There are no citizenship or work requirements to be eligible. To qualify, individuals must be City of Alexandria residents, 18 years or older, and earn less than the income caps shown below, which are at or below 50% of Alexandria’s area median income.

*Household size is defined as people who live together and share meals

Residents can learn more about the ARISE study, check eligibility, see qualifying zip codes, get answers to frequently asked questions, and apply online (Oct 31-Nov 9) at alexandriava.gov/ARISE. Please note that applications can be submitted online only.

The Department of Community and Human Services is partnering with a network of other community-based organizations that are critical to reaching and supporting applicants through the process.

ARISE volunteers will be available to help people apply at locations throughout the city, including some libraries and recreation centers. Visit the website for locations and times. Those interested in volunteering to help residents complete applications or to help with outreach may apply through the website, too.

A community webinar on October 25 from 7-8 p.m. will provide information about the ARISE study and how to apply. Amharic, Arabic and Spanish interpretation will be available. 

All eligible City residents are encouraged to apply for a chance to receive extra income and the ability to make choices that could improve their financial well-being, quality of life and future.

Visit alexandriava.gov/ARISE for more information about the Guaranteed Income Pilot. 

For inquiries from the news media only, contact Julie Mullen, ARISE Coordinator, at julie.mullen@alexandriava.gov or 703.946.1457.

For reasonable disability accommodations, contact maurice.tomdio@alexandriava.gov or call 571.384.5244, Virginia Relay 711. 

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This news release is available at alexandriava.gov/go/4071