WASHINGTON, July 22 (UPI) -- A Senate panel has voted to set up a marriage bonus of up to $9,000 for low-income Washington residents.
Analysts said it would mark the first such use of federal funds in the country.
The idea to help low-income working families and reduce welfare rolls has been promoted before but the concept has never been linked to marriage, the Washington Post said Friday.
Under the proposal by Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., chairman of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on the District, District of Columbia couples who set up savings accounts to buy a home, send a child to college or start a business would receive a matching federal contribution of $3 for every $1 invested, up to a maximum lifetime payment of $9,000.
The program also would be open for up to four years to certain single, childless D.C. residents ages 16 to 22, but the payment limit would be $4,500.
