A guaranteed income program has been introduced in one of America’s states, and it offers about $750 per month to eligible families to provide some financial relief to low-income households. All thanks to the Families First Economic Support Pilot Program (FFESP), families in this state won’t receive another one-time handout, but a form of financial aid that can support residents considerably. Guaranteed income could be provided to citizens who are eligible in this state due to the broader effort across several U.S. states to support vulnerable residents.
Guaranteed income in some states
California has taken the lead role in terms of delving deeper into the idea of universal basic income (UBI) and similar programs specifically meant to alleviate poverty.
As per these initiatives, California has made strides by offering:
- The Long Beach Pledge: $500 per month for 12 months to 200 families.
- Breathe (Los Angeles County): $1,000 a month for three years to 1,000 households.
- Elevate MV (Mountain View): $500 a month for 24 months.
- Pomona Household Grants: $500 a month for 18 months to families with children under four.
All of California’s efforts are shown through an eclectic mix of local budgets, government budgets, and state grants. Every program offered by the state of California is focused on offering financial support and improving children’s well-being.
All the impacts of such programs are being studied rather closely. This is to ensure fruitful outcomes and to guide policymaking. A new program will be offering $725 a month for a year to certain families in the heart of California.
The Sacramento families benefitting from $725 per month for a year
In its latest initiative, Sacramento County families through the FFESP will receive $725 monthly payments from June 15, 2025, provided that they qualify. This program will continue through June 2026. Money from this program is non-taxable, has no repayment policy, and won’t prevent citizens from receiving other benefits like CalWORKs, CalFresh, or Medi-Cal.
Families deemed most at risk of economic instability are targeted by this program according to certain eligibility criteria:
- Families must reside in Sacramento County
- They can live in one of these six ZIP codes: 95815, 95821, 95823, 95825, 95828, or 95838
- Families must have at least one child aged 0 to 5
- Families must earn less than 200% of the federal poverty level
- For a family of two, that’s under $40,880 annually
- For a family of four, that limit rises to $62,400
While the application window for this program closed on April 27, 200 families were selected at random to understand if this program would result in real benefits. A few delays resulted in the postponement of payments that were originally set for December 2024 and then March 2025.
All funds will be distributed via prepaid debit card or through a direct deposit through SAFE Credit Union. Along with this financial aid of $8,700 yearly, families selected will have access to financial counseling and various other community support services.
Other states offering guaranteed income
California is doing quite a bit to assist low-income citizens, as well as help all citizens to keep up with inflation. Other programs are popping up throughout the country, such as:
- New Orleans, Louisiana: $50/week for high school students over the academic year
- Atlanta, Georgia: $850/month on average for low-income Black women
- Somerville, Massachusetts: $750/month to 200 low-income families
- Cook County, Illinois: $500/month for 24 months to 3,250 families
- Flint, Michigan: New mothers receive $1,500 upfront and $500/month during a baby’s first year
- Somerville, Massachusetts: $750/month to 200 low-income families
Ohio is looking at a new initiative of sending $500 checks to 32 mothers as per the Ohio Mothers Trust, a non-profit organization providing long-term financial security.
Support for families is offered in many states with no strings attached as per certain initiatives to empower citizens. While programs like CalFresh are beneficial, the FFESP sounds as if it will be a highly beneficial program, too. With the cost-of-living pressures escalating, having the Sacramento Family First Program offering a financial safety net helps considerably. While just 200 families in Sacramento will receive this $725 monthly benefit, it is a much-needed relief beginning from June 15, 2025.
