Americans could get $500 monthly payments plus a $1,500 check under new ‘Family’ program

A new program in the US may give parents $500 every month and also a one-time $1,500 payment. The money is meant to help families pay for costs during pregnancy and the first months after a baby is born, when expenses usually rise fast. The program is being started in Jackson city and Blackman Township in Michigan, officials confirmed.

This plan is part of a project called Rx Kids, which focuses on helping mothers and babies with direct cash support, The Sun reported. On February 10, the Jackson City Council voted unanimously to give $15,000 per year for three years to support the program. Under the program, families will get $1,500 during pregnancy. After the baby is born, families will receive $500 per month for the baby’s first six to 12 months.

Money for all families

The money will be given to all families living in the area, even if they earn a high income. Monica Moser, CEO of the Jackson Community Foundation, said having a baby is very stressful and this support will help reduce that stress. The Jackson Community Foundation is the group that presented the program idea to the city council. The Rx Kids program first started in Flint, Michigan, and was created by Dr. Mona Hanna as a unique “cash prescription” program.


In January, the program invited cities, health departments, and nonprofits to apply if they wanted to bring Rx Kids to their areas. To start the program in Jackson and Blackman Township, the nonprofit must raise $313,335 every year for three years, as per the report by The Sun. This funding will help unlock about $2.5 million in state funding each year. The foundation already has support from Henry Ford Jackson Hospital, Consumers Energy Foundation, and Dawn Foods.

Why these areas were chosen

Moser said they hope both the city and Blackman Township will help fill the remaining funding gap, she said. Jackson and Blackman Township were chosen first because both areas have high poverty rates. She also said Black babies in Jackson County are three times more likely to die before their first birthday than white babies, based on local data.

Moser said she plans to ask Blackman Township for support at its next board meeting on February 17. The foundation hopes the program will officially start in April, Moser said. Since launching in 2024, the Rx Kids program has already helped thousands of families across Michigan, Moser added, as noted by The Sun.

FAQs

Q1. Who can get the $500 monthly payment in the new US family program?

Families living in Jackson and Blackman Township in Michigan can get the money, and it is given to everyone no matter their income.

Q2. How much total money can parents receive from the Rx Kids program?

Parents can get a $1,500 payment during pregnancy and $500 every month for up to one year after the baby is born.