$2,000,000 in Free Money To Be Handed Out in US County’s New Guaranteed Income Pilot

A US county is preparing to hand out $2 million with no strings attached in a new basic income pilot.

A total of 180 families will receive $750 per month over the course of 15 months in Fairfax County, Virginia.

The sign up process for the Fairfax County Economic Mobility Pilot (FCEMP) runs from September 23rd to October 3rd.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a child who’s 16 years or younger, and maintain a household income that falls between 150% and 250% of the 2023 Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

The pilot is designed to determine whether cash handouts can improve people’s physical and mental health, boost performance at school, increase housing and food security and help people achieve full-time employment.

“Like other basic income programs, the FCEMP promotes dignity and self-determination by enabling residents to take ownership of their own life and spending decisions. Nevertheless, establishing a baseline understanding of families participating in the FCEMP is needed to inform a fully realized program over time…

Fairfax County will use the research findings to understand how the cash assistance impact participants’ lives and whether to continue and/or expand the program.”

The trial is one of dozens across the US that are set to give away more than $200 million to gauge just how effective basic income programs may be for people who are struggling to make ends meet.

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