Q: I didn’t get a confirmation e-mail or text, was my application received?
A: Successfully completing the application should get you to a final screen that reads: “We thank you for your time spent taking this survey. Your response has been recorded.” As long as you saw that screen, you’ve been entered into the lottery. Since the information you shared in the application is protected and confidential, the United Way and the City of Tacoma are not allowed to know who has applied for the pilot, only the independent research team at the Center for Guaranteed Income Research has access to that information right now.
Q: I finished my application and it was recorded, what happens now?
A: There is a two step process review and select applications
- The applications are processed by independent researchers at the Center for Guaranteed Income Research at the University of Pennsylvania to make sure there are no duplications and that all entries meet the GRIT eligibility criteria.
- Then the applications are randomly sorted into three different groups to ensure no bias:
a. Recipient participants: people who will receive the monthly cash and will be eligible to participate in compensated surveys so we can learn more about guaranteed income;
b. Control participants: people who will not receive the monthly cash, but who will be eligible to earn gift cards by taking research surveys during the pilot so we can learn more about Tacoma and our residents’ needs.
c. Non-participants.
Q: How will I know if I’ve been chosen to participate?
A: Staff from GRIT will start contacting recipient participants to notify them as soon as the random selection process has been completed.
If you have been selected to participate in the control participant group, or “survey” group, you will receive notification from staff who are helping with the research who will have more information for you. We expect notifications to be made in early September.
Q: I haven’t heard from anyone, does this mean I haven’t been chosen?
A: We will be updating this website once all notifications are complete. If you check the website and it says we have finished notifications to participants, but you have not been contacted, then you have not been selected to participate.
Q: Why won’t I get notification if I am NOT selected?
A: The information you shared through the application can only be used for research purposes, so United Way and the City of Tacoma are not allowed to have access to the data for non-selected individuals. This means we can’t contact you to tell you if you haven’t been chosen to participate. Check this website to stay up to date on the notification process.
Q: I was not selected to participate but I still need help, are there any resources available
to me?
A: Yes! There are many programs available throughout the city that we want to make sure you can access.
Visit uwpc.org or call 211 for more resources.
Public Safety
*** In the case of an emergency, please call 911. ***
City of Tacoma Fire Department: general information line: (253) 591-5740
City of Tacoma Police Department: telephone reporting: (253) 798-4721
Benefits
Washington State's Department of Social and Health Services: Customer Service 877-501-2233
Child Care
Comprehensive guide to affordable childcare through Interest.com
Employment / Training
Employment Security Division Information
Goodwill Olympics & Rainier Region
Financial Planning
Sound Outreach
Free Tax Filing Tool
Housing
H.R 6314 Emergency rental assistance
Pierce County Housing Authority
Expenses Support
Assistance With Energy Bill - Pierce County
Tacoma Public Utility Payment Assistance
Financial resources from the State of WA
Goodwill Olympics & Rainier Region compiled this list of resources for grants and funding opportunities around Western Washington Region
Washington Department of Financial Institutions: Homeownership/Mortgage support
Food Distribution
Emergency Food Network: Interactive Maps
Tacoma Public Schools bus meal delivery map/schedule
Operating food banks in Pierce County
Pierce County Food Delivery Program
Most current info from the USDA
Food Backpacks for Kids and on Facebook