# Summary
The HOPE Act of 2024 establishes a federal grant program to help low-income Americans access government benefits and financial services more easily. The legislation funds competitive grants to states, local governments, and tribal nations to operate two types of pilot projects from fiscal years 2025 through 2030. HOPE Accounts Pilot Projects would give low-income individuals a centralized digital account accessible through smartphones or computers to apply for multiple benefits simultaneously, receive matched savings accounts, and access financial planning tools, with free or subsidized devices and internet access provided to those who need them. HOPE Action Plans Pilot Projects would create voluntary partnerships between low-income individuals and government or nonprofit organizations to develop personalized long-term plans for earning income, education, and savings. The bill authorizes $35 million annually across three federal departments (Health and Human Services, Agriculture, and Housing and Urban Development) and additional funding for technology contracts to develop the digital applications underlying these projects. At least 10 percent of funding must support projects in persistently poor counties. The legislation requires annual congressional reports tracking whether the pilots reduce wait times, lower costs for benefit access, maintain program integrity, and increase banking access for low-income households.
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