The first major U.S. government-supported guaranteed income program providing $500 per month was launched at the local level to help households facing financial insecurity. This program was designed as an unconditional cash assistance initiative, meaning recipients were not required to work, report spending, or meet ongoing conditions after selection.
Below are the key eligibility requirements that applied to the program.
Eligibility Requirements
1. Age Requirement
Applicants had to be 18 years or older at the time of application.
2. Residency Requirement
Participants were required to be legal residents of the county or city administering the program. Only people living within the designated local area were eligible.
3. Income Limits
Household income had to be at or below 250 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. This allowed low- and moderate-income individuals and families to qualify, not just those in extreme poverty.
4. Household Status
Both single individuals and families could apply, provided they met the income and residency criteria.
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5. Immigration Status
Immigration status did not affect eligibility. Undocumented residents were allowed to apply as long as other requirements were met.
6. Participation Limits
Applicants could not be enrolled in another guaranteed income program at the same time.
7. Conflict-of-Interest Rules
Government officials, employees involved in the program, and their immediate family members were excluded from participation.
Selection Process
Because demand exceeded available funding, eligible applicants were placed into a random lottery system. Only a limited number of households were selected to receive the $500 monthly payments.
Payment Details
- Amount: $500 per month
- Payment type: Unconditional cash
- Use of funds: No restrictions
- Delivery method: Direct deposit or prepaid debit card
- Impact on other benefits: Generally did not affect federal benefit eligibility, though individual cases could vary
Important Note
This program was not a nationwide guaranteed income plan. It was a local pilot initiative, and eligibility rules applied only to residents of the participating area. Similar programs may expand in other regions, but each has its own criteria.
