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Guaranteed Income: A Policy Landscape Review of 105 Programs in the United States

Author

Listed:
  • Rodriguez Sarina

    (8789 University of California Davis , Davis, CA, USA)

  • Kagawa Rose

    (Department of Emergency Medicine, 8789 University of California Davis , Davis, CA, USA)

  • Koundinya Vikram

    (Center for Regional Change, 8789 University of California Davis , Davis, CA, USA)

  • Choe Daniel

    (Department of Human Ecology, 8789 University of California Davis , Davis, CA, USA)

  • Vaitla Bapu

    (TH Chan School of Public Health, University of Harvard, Cambridge, USA)

  • Volzer Alyx

    (8789 University of California Davis , Davis, CA, USA)

  • Brinkley Catherine

    (8789 University of California Davis , 2333 Hart Hall, 1 Shields Avenue, 95616-5270, Davis, CA, USA)

Abstract

Cash assistance programs have been piloted as Basic or Guaranteed Income across the United States. This research asks how programs are being designed and evaluated, with implications for how collective program impacts are understood. To answer this question, we assemble and review 105 programs based in the United States, covering over 40,000 beneficiaries. We compare eligibility criteria, funding sources, distribution amounts, program administration, pilot duration, and evaluation measures. We find that just over half of the programs use income-based qualifications and most (84 %) have some form of place-based eligibility criteria defined by residence. The plurality of programs (28) are based in California (CA) and 16 operate at the county level. We also find that while the development of pilots often uses community development framing, funding and evaluation measures tend to be more aligned with either economic or public health intervention assessments. As multiple fields of study engage with poverty alleviation, our findings add nuance to the complex and continuously developing landscape of interventions and evaluations.

Suggested Citation

  • Rodriguez Sarina & Kagawa Rose & Koundinya Vikram & Choe Daniel & Vaitla Bapu & Volzer Alyx & Brinkley Catherine, 2025. "Guaranteed Income: A Policy Landscape Review of 105 Programs in the United States," Basic Income Studies, De Gruyter, vol. 20(1), pages 93-123.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:bistud:v:20:y:2025:i:1:p:93-123:n:1003
    DOI: 10.1515/bis-2023-0030
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