Uptown Expecting Mothers Can Get $1,000 A Month In Cash: How To Apply

UPPER MANHATTAN, NY — A new guaranteed income pilot program from the Bridge Project is sending out unconditional cash to women who are currently pregnant in Washington Heights, Inwood, and other parts of Upper Manhattan and the Bronx.

The Bridge Project is New York City's first guaranteed income program for new moms, and women living in the following ZIP codes who are currently pregnant and make less than $52,000 are eligible to apply: 10026, 10027, 10029, 10030, 10031, 10032 (Washington Heights), 10033 (Washington Heights), 10034 (Inwood), 10035, 10037, 10039, 10040 (Washington Heights/Inwood), 10451, 10452, 10453, 10454, 10455, 10456, 10457, 10459, 10460, or 10474.

The first phase of the program launched in June 2021, and sent out either $500 or $1,000 to 100 low-income mothers living in Washington Heights, Inwood, and Central Harlem for three years.

The second phase of the program is taking applications now, and still includes Upper Manhattan residents, while also expanding to all of Harlem and the Bronx.

Selected soon-to-be mothers will receive $1,000 a month for the first 18 months of the program and $500 a month for the last 18 months, all on a biweekly basis.

You can apply for the program here. The new applications are open through April 13 at noon.

The Bridge Project is partnering with more than 25 community organizations to help with outreach to local mothers, including NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Harlem Children’s Zone, Association to Benefit Children, Children’s Aid, Nido de Esperanza, Bronx Healthy Start, Power of Two, Montefiore Medical Center, and Ashe Birthing Services.

"Recipients showed significant improvements in their ability to afford childcare and an increase in saving," The Bridge Project said in a news release.

Results from the first phase showed that 46 percent of funds were withdrawn as cash or transferred to other accounts, with recipients reporting the primary use of the funds went to pay for larger expenses like rent.

Of the money that remained on the debit card from cash transfers, most was spent on items such as diapers and wipes, with food as the second-largest category, the Bridge Project said.

You can find out more about the Bridge Project's program on its website.