In the days before the pandemic, guaranteeing someone a basic income through check payments over a long period of time was not a mainstream policy idea.
BGR reported that these basic income experiments have now been undertaken by governments across the US, offering what amounts to free money to large swaths of their populations.
Unlike last year’s stimulus payments, these are not payments in advance like the six monthly payments for the child tax credit last year.
In recent days a new initiative was announced in Washington, DC, which aims to do much more.
It boils down to giving a regular stream of money to a certain number of people.
Tough Families, Sustainable Futures
132 new and expectant mothers in some cities in Washington will receive $900 a month through the DC program.
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The program will be focused on three targeted city wards.
For this program, the city’s direct cash transfer pilot program, worth $1.5 million, is being implemented by Martha’s Table.
“Having a newborn is a big life change, and we also know how critical those first months and years are to a baby’s life,” Bowser said when announcing the initiative.
“This program is about supporting new and expectant moms with cash so that they can have the autonomy and flexibility to make the best choices for them and their baby.
“The Strong Families, Strong Future DC pilot builds on the work we’ve done to address disparities in maternal health outcomes, make high-quality child care more affordable and accessible, and ensure women are at the heart of our equitable economic recovery strategy.”
Free Money Every Month Worth 900 Dollars
The pilot and its participants will be tracked using “qualitative and quantitative methods” by Martha’s Table to evaluate how direct cash assistance impacts the health, mental, and physical well-being of mothers and their children.
It costs almost $29,000 to raise a newborn child, according to data from LendingTree.
These costs include housing, food, clothing, and other expenses.
Parents can also expect to spend between $300 and $500 per month just on diapers, wipes, and formula.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles, as well as Columbia, South Carolina, have tried similar efforts around the country as well.
Rochester officials recently approved payments of $500 monthly checks to 175 low-income families in the city. Over 12 months, the payments will total $6,000 (which will be spread out over 12 months).
How about next year? There will be 175 Rochester families receiving $500 in payments.
There was also an expansion of a basic income program in Newark, New Jersey, which reached 400 residents recently.
Over two years, each participant will get a total of $12,000 in free money.
Participants must demonstrate hardship related to the Covid pandemic and be low-income.
