$9,000 Stimulus Checks On The Way For SSI, SSDI & Low-Income Groups

In May 2025, Harris County Introduced the Uplift Harris Program. Harris County, Texas, launched the Uplift Harris program in May 2025 to support low-income individuals, including those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

The program offers monthly payments of $500 for 18 months, adding up to $9,000 in total. This financial aid is backed by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

However, legal issues have paused the rollout of these payments for the time being.

Program Overview

Program Name: Uplift Harris
Monthly Payment: $500
Duration: 18 months
Total Amount: $9,000
Funding Source: American Rescue Plan Act ($20.5 million)

Eligibility Criteria:

Residency: Must live in Harris County, Texas
Age: At least 18 years old
Income Level: Household income must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
ZIP Codes: 77026, 77028, 77033, 77050, 77051, 77060, 77081, 77091, 77093, 77547
Legal Status: U.S. citizens or legal non-citizens
Program Participation: Individuals enrolled in the ACCESS Harris County program are eligible, regardless of ZIP code

Current Status: Payments are currently suspended due to legal actions.

Eligibility Details

To be eligible for the Uplift Harris program, applicants must satisfy these conditions:

Residency: Must be a resident of Harris County, Texas
Age: Must be 18 or older
Income: Household income should not exceed 200% of the Federal Poverty Level
ZIP Codes: Must live in one of these qualifying areas:
77026, 77028, 77033, 77050, 77051, 77060, 77081, 77091, 77093, 77547
Legal Status: Must be a U.S. citizen or have a lawful immigration status
ACCESS Program: Participants of the ACCESS Harris County program qualify even if they don’t live in the listed ZIP codes

Legal Challenges

Although the program was designed to help struggling families, it has run into legal trouble:

Initial Lawsuit: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton argued the program violates the state constitution, which bars the gifting of public funds
Temporary Suspension: The Texas Supreme Court temporarily blocked payments to review the case
Program Adjustments: In response, officials created the Community Prosperity Program, which introduced new limits on how the funds could be used
Ongoing Legal Disputes: Despite the changes, lawsuits continued, causing delays in getting the money to those in need

Payment Schedule

Currently, the payments are paused while the legal issues are being sorted out in court.

No definite date has been announced for when the program will restart, but those eligible should follow official updates from Harris County to stay informed.

How to Apply

Once the program resumes, applications can be submitted online through the official Uplift Harris website or through authorized partner organizations.

Applicants will need to upload documents to prove they qualify, such as ID, proof of income, and proof of legal status.

The Uplift Harris program is a major effort to help low-income families in Harris County. Although court challenges have delayed the rollout, those who qualify should monitor official sources for the latest information.

FAQs

Who qualifies for the $9,000 stimulus checks?

You must be at least 18 years old and live in Harris County. You must also either live in one of the listed ZIP codes or be part of the ACCESS Harris County program, and have a household income no greater than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.

When will the payments be distributed?

At this time, the payments are on hold due to ongoing court cases. A specific date for when the program will continue hasn’t been set.

How can I check my application status?

You can check your status by visiting the official Uplift Harris website or by contacting the program’s administrators. It’s best to follow official communication channels to get the most accurate updates.