Direct Cash Assistance
Program Description
The City of Takoma Park will use State and Local Recovery Funds (SLRF) received under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to assist residents who were economically impacted by the pandemic through the distribution of grant funds in the form of Direct Cash Assistance. A majority of low- to moderate-income households in the City experience a housing cost burden and may have experienced the inability to pay rent, monthly mortgage payments, or lost employment during this unprecedented period.
The City of Takoma Park Direct Cash Assistance Program will provide a one-time, lump-sum payment per eligible household in the amount of $1,000.
About LiveStories (FORWARD)
Following a comprehensive evaluation process and approval by the City Council on July 27, 2022, the City of Takoma Park has selected LiveStories (FORWARD) as the prime contractor for this program. LiveStories (FORWARD) was established in 2015 and is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. The contractor has worked with more than 350 local, state, and federal government agencies as a trusted steward of ARPA, CARES, CDBG, and other funding for programs across the United States. LiveStories (FORWARD) has significant experience administering direct assistance programs. LiveStories (FORWARD) will collaborate with the City and local community partners to run effective outreach campaigns, increase program participation, and provide for safe, in-person pick-up of grant funds.
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The City of Takoma Park has partnered with LiveStories (FORWARD) to administer $2.1 million in COVID relief funds to the community.
This opportunity will provide a one-time $1,000 direct cash assistance to eligible households in the City of Takoma Park to assist those negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is not a loan, these funds will not have to be paid back to the City, and they are not income taxable, per the IRS statement below.
Application
Applications opened on Tuesday, October 25, at 8:30 AM and will remain open until funds have been exhausted. Apply to the Takoma Park Direct Cash Assistance program.
Eligibility Criteria
General eligibility criteria for the Direct Cash Assistance Program include the following:
- Household income must be less than $50,000. The number of members in a household is not factored into the income cap.
- Must be located within the boundaries of Takoma Park, Maryland (address cannot be a PO Box or an address that leads to a shipping center as their physical location).
Tax Information from the IRS
The City of Takoma Park is a local government that uses SLFR Funds to provide a direct cash transfer to individuals to address the negative impact of Covid. According to the IRS, in this case, because the payment is not considered income, no Form 1099-MISC or other information return is required to be filed with the IRS or furnished to the recipient.
Visit the IRS’ website for more information regarding taxability and reporting of payments from Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.
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