SACRAMENTO COUNTY, Calif. — On Thursday, July 15, the California state legislature approved a state-wide funded universal basic income program that would prioritize foster youth aging out of the system and pregnant people. Income inequality continues to grow and according to the Pew Research Center, “Economic inequality, whether measured through the gaps in income or wealth between richer and poorer households, continues to widen.
For California residents experiencing financial disruptions, this pilot program could help provide financial relief, giving them autonomy over how to spend their money.
The no strings attached approach came strictly from curiosity about how poor people would spend money.
This approach is proven to work given the recent success seen in Stockton. Former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs helped steer Stockton's income program that saw a decrease in depression and an increase in financial stability.
So, how do you sign up? You can’t sign up. In fact, there isn’t much you can do right now on your own to access the funds because the state department of social services will decide who gets funding. Each city and county must apply for the funds to run their own universal basic income pilot program.
Currently, at least seven areas of California have or are planning a form of guaranteed income program:
- Stockton
- Los Angeles County
- Oakland
- Santa Clara County
- Long Beach
- Compton
- Marin County
And how would this program be funded? Details of how the program will be funded haven't been released. What we know so far about funding based on past pilots, is cities like Stockton and Los Angeles have used a combination of public funds and money from private donors.
The amount of money people receive is still undecided, but other programs' amounts have ranged from $500 - $1,000 a month.
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Stockton's guaranteed income initiative resulted in full-time jobs and less depression