Monthly cash payments, no strings attached: Why cities are piloting guaranteed income programs
“The idea is simple but controversial.
People receive a set amount of money periodically with no strings attached. Advocates believe that this gives recipients, often in the most marginalized groups, freedom to spend it in ways that are most beneficial for their families. Critics call it an irresponsible handout, which does little to address systemic inequality.
We first reported on the concept when Stockton, California’s then-Mayor Michael Tubbs helped create the Stockton Economic Empowerment Demonstration, or SEED, the first citywide guaranteed income program in the country. Launched in February 2019, 125 randomly selected citizens received $500 a month for two years. Later, researchers found that in its first year, full time employment among SEED recipients went up by 12%.”