200 Mount Vernon households have received funding through the mayor's guaranteed income pilot program.

The program, also known as Level Up, is a lottery that will provides 200 single or multiple-family households with a guaranteed monthly income of $500 per month for 12 months - totaling $6,000 for the year.

Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard says the monthly assistance is to help address the economic insecurity faced by residents in the city.

"Whether it's rent, food, transportation, utilities or causal family time --we are not giving a prescription-- this is to be used to the best way to suit their families and their household needs."

According to the mayor, a possible testimony will take place in the coming months from households who received the funds on how it has benefited their families.