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Hand Up Economy

Everyone falls on hard times and our community is truly a community when we help each other compassionately and effectively.  The Hand Up Economy, or HUE, was created by Larry Sharpe and helps financially struggling people by gradually walking them to financial independence.  The HUE is a voluntary program where a person gradually eases their way off financial assistance, there is no "benefit cliff" as seen in many welfare programs.  Financial assistance is received through the Graduated Income Boost, or GIB.  Last but not least, HUE is entirely funded with private funds, no government funds are welcome.

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Back to Basics' HUE implementation is different than Larry Sharpe's in that (1) it's entirely ran through the private sector, and (2) we provide assistance based on one's cash flow, rather than income.  Cash flow is your net gain or loss of cash or cash equivalents (coupons, gift cards, discounts, tax credits/deductions, vouchers, etc).

Museum 2

UNEMPLOYED
TO
WORKING POOR

Graduated Income Boost

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The Graduated Income Boost, or GIB, allows you to gradually work your way out of poverty to a livable cash flow, without any "benefit cliff" seen in many welfare programs.  It is a 100% voluntary program available for any US citizen, and is completely funded privately.  As you increase your cash flow, you receive less of the GIB, until you reach an annual cash flow of 36,000 USD.  Check out the calculator below!

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GIB Eligibility

  • US citizen

  • 18-65 years old

  • Annual cash flow less than 36,000 USD

Employment Bounty

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The HUE hosts an Employment Bounty where private companies compete to find HUE participants employment.  Every time a HUE participant is serviced by a participating placement/recruitment company, they receive a stipend, from private funding.  EVERYONE receives incentive for quality service.

 

Red

  • HUE participant will never hold job (due to disability or otherwise)

  • Placement/recruiting company receives flat fee (for informing of new opportunities should circumstances change)

 

Yellow

  • HUE participant is either temporarily working part time or temporarily can’t work at all

  • Placement/recruiting company receives industry standard recruitment fee for part time placement

 

Green

  • HUE participant can work full time

  • Placement/recruiting company receives industry standard recruitment fee for full time placement

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Making Posters

WORKING POOR
TO
MIDDLE CLASS

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GIB Graduation Bounty

 

The GIB Graduation Bounty helps the working poor move to the middle class by allowing private vendors to compete in helping individuals achieve an annual cash flow of 36,000 USD or more, making them ineligible for the GIB, thus "graduating" from the GIB.  Any vendor that helps someone earn 36,000 USD or more of cash flow will receive a stipend, privately funded.

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"Graduation" from the GIB program does not exclude you from other HUE services.  It also does not prevent you from receiving the GIB in the future, if you qualify (see above).

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