A quick update post on our last piece highlighting the (frankly outrageous) County-taxpayer sponsored “Guaranteed Income Program” pilot.
We were able to hear back and get answers to some of our direct questions on how the program is being run and what kind of “reporting” taxpayers could expect in the future. The following is lifted verbatim from an exchange with the person or persons at: mocoboost-gi-pilot@montgomerycountymd.gov. We wish we could provide a name or position to go along with the email account, but none was provided.
Still, a true thank you to the people running the “Boost” Income Program for at least being honest and taking the time to answer these relevant questions [All answers provided March 1, 2023].
[Greg / CleanSlateMoco] What are the legal addresses and zip codes of the participants in the program?
Answer: The MoCo BOOST website provides information about the 300 individual participants, aggregated by zip code, gender, race and ethnicity, age, and household composition. Full participant addresses are protected client information that we cannot provide.
[Greg / CleanSlateMoco] What kind of follow-up has been performed after 6 months? Nine months?
Answer: MoCo BOOST participants have a coach who contacts them every 3 months to maintain regular contact with the program. The intent of these touchpoints is to surface any hardships the program participants may face and to identify potential solutions through County or community resources.
[Greg / CleanSlateMoco] What kind of information will be made public about the program’s efficacy?
Answer: An external evaluation of MoCo BOOST is part of the program’s implementation plan. The external evaluation has not yet begun, so there are no additional details to share at this time. However, the evaluation report will be publicly available.
[Greg / CleanSlateMoco] What is the data regarding “coach” contacts every 3 months? Is that strictly required to access more cash from the program? I.e. can you say with 100% certainty all participants are responding and checking in with their coach every 3 months?
Answer: MoCo BOOST does not require participants to respond to their coach’s 3-month check-ins to continue in the program or to receive funds. However, the coaches contact all participants, and 99% of participants have replied.
[Greg / CleanSlateMoco] When is the external evaluation scheduled to begin? This year?
Answer: Evaluation activities are set to begin in 2023.
[Greg / CleanSlateMoco] What are the stats on US citizens vs non-citizens or non-green card holding residents? How many people without either a SSN or ITIN are participating right now?
Answer: MoCo BOOST did not collect information on US citizenship or immigration status. MoCo BOOST did not collect social security numbers (SSN) or individual taxpayer identification numbers (ITIN). Participants were required to bring a photo ID and provide proof of current Montgomery County residency to register at orientation.
[Greg / CleanSlateMoco] How many of the participants are receiving cash / bank deposit vs a pre-loaded card?
Answer: As of the most recent report, 10 participants receive their funds on a pre-loaded card and the rest receive their funds via direct deposit. This number may change over time, as participants can switch between payment methods at any time.
[Greg / CleanSlateMoco] Are participants allowed to spend their pre-loaded card funds, for example, at a medical marijuana dispensary or a county-owned liquor store? Is there no restriction on the card itself — funds can be used anywhere?
Answer: There are no restrictions on where any participant can use their MoCo BOOST funds, regardless of whether they receive them as a cash direct deposit or on a preloaded card. Cards and direct deposits are administered via a third party, UpTogether. Montgomery County Government has no data on how or where participants use their funds.
For such a “test program” to already be advocating for ‘permanent’ funding by the Montgomery County taxpayer and by hard-working, middle-class Montgomery County families is outrageous.
More to come.
