FAQs — Philly Joy Bank

Frequently Asked Questions

Philadelphia has the highest rate of infant mortality in the first year of life among the top 10 most populous U.S. cities. Black infants in our city are over three times more likely to die before their first birthday than White infants.
The goal of the Philly Joy Bank is to improve birth outcomes by targeting the populations in the city most vulnerable to poor outcomes.

You’re eligible if you:
1. Are 18 years or older.
2. Are currently pregnant in your second trimester (between 12-24 weeks).
3. Earn a total annual household income less than $100,000.
4. Live in Nicetown-Tioga, Strawberry Mansion, or Cobbs Creek (West of 50th Street between Market Street and Baltimore Avenue).
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You will need documents that confirm:
Your identity.
Residency in one of the eligible neighborhoods.
Your pregnancy status.
Click here for the list of accepted documents.
Use the map tool to confirm that your home address qualifies.
These three neighborhoods were selected because they experience the highest percentage of very low birth weight in the city, which is a proxy for infant prematurity. They are disproportionately poor and Black, which are also risk factors for poor birth outcomes.
No. Anyone who meets our eligibility criteria is eligible regardless of immigration status.

1. Applications with required documents will be reviewed for eligibility.
2. If eligible, the applicant will enter a lottery pool.
3. Participants are randomly drawn from the lottery pool of eligible participants every two weeks.
4. If selected from the lottery, the participant will receive an email notification and a phone call from the Philly Joy Bank Navigator to enroll in the program.
5. If not selected, the applicant will receive an email or text notification and offered resources. The applicant will be re-entered into the lottery pool one more time if still eligible (based on gestational age).
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Eligible applicants will be notified by email and phone call. The email will come from PhillyJoyBank@phila.gov. A Philly Joy Bank Navigator will be in touch to discuss enrollment and connect with helpful resources.
Guaranteed income is a cash payment provided on a regular basis to members of a community with no strings attached and no work requirements.

Participants will receive $1,000 every month from pregnancy through their child’s first birthday.
Participants will have different start dates depending on when they enroll. Regardless of start date, all participants will receive 18 payments for a total of $18,000. Once a participant is selected in the lottery, payments will begin shortly after enrollment.
Participants will be instructed on how to set up their preferred payment method when they enroll in the program (direct deposit to their bank account, a prepaid debit card, Venmo, or PayPal).
Yes! Participants can choose how and when to spend their money without any restrictions.
Depending on your current income and the types of benefits you receive, it is possible some of your benefits may be affected.
If you are selected for the program, a Philly Joy Bank Navigator will connect you with benefits counseling. This way, you can decide if participating in the Philly Joy Bank is still right for you based on your existing benefits.