Guaranteed Income Pilot Projects
In response to growing interest, local entities are creating Guaranteed Income (GI) projects through both governmental and private funding. These programs study the effect of unconditional funds on low-income individuals and whether such funds benefit their long-term economic stability, employment prospects, reduced food insecurity, and improved health.
The Department of Human Services (DHS) is not responsible for the design or administration of these programs.
What is a GI program?
GI or Universal Basic Income (UBI) pilot projects provide eligible individuals with regular cash payments for a specific and limited time period. These payments are meant to help recipients reach a standard of living above the poverty line, and the money can be spent in any way that best supports the recipient and/or their family.
Will receiving GI program payments affect my other benefits?
Some GI cash payments may affect eligibility and benefit levels for public assistance programs such as:
The way that these programs are affected depends on each program's rules for considering the GI payments. The Department of Human Services (DHS) evaluates each GI pilot project to determine what impact(s) it has on assistance programs.
Who do I contact about a GI pilot program?
The local agencies overseeing each GI project decide the criteria, design, and funding for their particular project. If you have questions and/or need details about a pilot project, contact the agency overseeing the project. Some pilots do not accept direct enrollment from the general public.
Below is a list of active GI pilots known to DHS. This information is current as of October 2023.
PHL Housing+
|
Main Contact:
Rachel Mulbry
Housing Programs Manager
Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation
rachel.mulbry@phdc.phila.gov
Alternative Contact:
Miranda Fortenberry Program Analyst Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation
| 300 households on the Philadelphia Housing Authority Housing Choice Voucher and the Public Housing Waitlist.
| Philadelphia
Sept. 1, 2022
Enrollment period has ended
|
A Pilot Study of Cash Transfers to Improve Outcomes in Low-Income Preterm Neonates and Their Families
| Zoe Bouchelle
PolicyLabChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia | 24 low-income mothers with infants born between 22- and 36-weeks gestational age at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
| Philadelphia
June 1, 2023
Rolling enrollment;
June 1, 2023-Oct. 1, 2024
Enrollment is closed to outside applicants.
|
Guaranteed Income for Victims of Violence
| Ruth Abaya
Injury Prevention Program Manager
Philadephia Dept. of Health
ruth.abaya@phila.gov
Alternative Contact: Pilar Ocampo Injury Prevention Program Manager Philadelphia Department of Public Health | 50 victims of firearm violence in the first six months after injury who are eligible for Medicaid and were a patient of any of the Level One trauma centers in Philadelphia.
| Philadelphia
February 1, 2023
Rolling enrollment until threshold is met.
|
One Family Philadelphia Guaranteed Income Financial Treatment (GIFTT)
| Jennifer Kellett
jennifer@humanityforwardfoundation.org
| 250 cancer patients receiving treatment at Philadelphia partner hospitals.
Patients must meet certain medical and financial criteria. This pilot does not accept referrals or enrollment from the general public.
| Berks, Bucks, Delaware, Chester, Lancaster, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia
March 2023.
Rolling enrollment until threshold is met. This pilot is not accepting open applications. Eligible patients will be invited to apply by their provider
|
Guaranteed Resources Optimize Wellbeing (GROW)
|
Main Contact
William Hall
Director of Financial Inclusion
Office of Community Empowerment &
Opportunity for the City of Philadelphia
215-685-3614
william.hall@phila.gov
| 50 extended TANF recipients
| Philadelphia
March 15, 2023
Enrollment period has ended.
|
Allegheny County Transition Age Youth Assistance
| Molly Morrill
molly.morrill@alleghenycounty.us
| 1,200 young adults ages 18-22 who met at least oneof the following criteria: 1) Have been in Children, Youth, and Families (CYF) placement in Allegheny County and dependent at age 14 or older; 2) Are receiving Allegheny County Independent Living Services; 3) Are currently involved in the homeless system in Allegheny County; or 4) Are a parent who has an open care with CYF in Allegheny County.
| Allegheny
April 3, 2023
Enrollment period has ended.
|
What role does DHS play?
DHS collaborates with GI pilot project coordinators before the pilot project starts to inform them of impacts on public assistance benefits. DHS also ensures that GI coordinators know to encourage GI program recipients who are also receive public assistance benefits to report the GI payments to their county assistance office. Agencies can contact DHS
OIM to initiate collaboration. DHS also informs CAOs about GI pilot programs serving individuals in their county and the impacts on program eligibility so that they are aware of how to accurately process benefits for people receiving GI payments.