What is Guaranteed Income?
- No work requirements
- No surveillance
- No restrictions on how it’s spent
- Just trust in people to know what’s best for themselves and their families
Why is it Important?
Life is unpredictable—and our economy doesn’t work for everyone. Many people are just one emergency away from a crisis. Others have been excluded from wealth-building opportunities for generations.
Guaranteed income helps by:
- Providing breathing room during hard times
- Reducing stress and financial instability
- Opening doors to education, rest, healing, and choice
People use guaranteed income to pay bills, buy groceries, cover rent, leave unsafe jobs, and take care of loved ones. It restores autonomy and affirms the inherent worth of each person.
GI vs. UBI 
Unlike universal basic income (UBI), which gives money to everyone regardless of income, guaranteed income is targeted— reaching those who have been locked out of safety, opportunity, and support by design. That includes Black and Brown families, caregivers, immigrants, people with disabilities, and others who’ve been harmed by systems like welfare surveillance, family policing, and mass incarceration.
What is a GI Pilot?
A pilot is a program that offers guaranteed income to a specific group of residents. These pilots:
- Provide monthly cash payments
- Listen to recipients’ experiences
- Share what we learn with policymakers and the public
They help us answer key questions like:
- Does regular cash reduce stress?
- How do parents and kids thrive with extra support?
- What changes when people don’t have to scramble to survive?
📍 What’s Happening in the DMV?
DC is a leader in guaranteed income. Since 2020, thousands of residents have received recurring cash through local pilots.
| Program | Who | Amount |
|---|---|---|
|
THRIVE East of the River |
600+ households in Wards 7 & 8 |
$1,100/mo |
|
Strong Families, Strong Futures |
New & expecting mothers (Wards 5, 7, 8) |
$900/mo or $10,800 lump sum |
|
MotherUp |
Black mothers involved with child welfare |
$500/mo for 3 years |
|
Let’s GO DMV! |
Displaced hospitality workers |
$1,000/mo |
|
My Sister’s Place |
Survivors of domestic violence |
$500/mo |
Join the Cause
We need your energy, your voice, and your passion. This movement is powered by people like you—folks who believe everyone deserves the freedom to thrive. Whether you’re organizing, sharing stories, or showing up in community, you’re helping build a DC with economic justice for all.
