Poor New Yorkers in anti-poverty program receive first payments

from USA Today

NEW YORK - The city's experimental program to pay poor New Yorkers for good behavior has handed out its first payments to more than 1,400 families.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Deputy Mayor Linda Gibbs said in a statement Monday that $740,000 had been handed out to families participating in the anti-poverty pilot program.

The average award earned was $524, paid to low-income New Yorkers who made positive choices like going to the doctor for checkups and maintaining good school attendance.

More than 900 enrolled families who were eligible for payments did not meet the targets set by the city for the period of September through October.

The experimental program is being funded with private donations. Bloomberg has said it will only be funded with public money if it shows promise.