Phoenix City Council approved a pilot program last week that will pay $12 million in ARPA funds to 1,000 Phoenix families in need — $12,000 to each family over the course of a year.
To be eligible, families at or below 80% of the Area Median Income, which is $63,200 a year for a family of four. The money will be distributed via debit cards to which the city will add monthly payments. There are a few spending limitations, such as no alcohol, tobacco or lottery tickets.
Vice Mayor Carlos Garcia was happy to see the funds paid in debit cards and not grocery gift cards.
