Applications open for Los Angeles guaranteed income pilot program
The city of Los Angeles began accepting applications for its pilot cash assistance program Friday.
The Basic Income Guaranteed: Los Angeles Economic Assistance Pilot will give around 3,000 households $1,000 cash payments monthly for one year, without any restrictions on how the money can be spent.
In order to be eligible, individuals must live in the city of LA, be at least 18 years old, have a dependent child or be pregnant, have income at or below the federal poverty level and have experienced economic or medical hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the BIG:LEAP website. Eligible applicants may apply until the window closes Sunday at 11:59 p.m.
The program will study the potential impact of a universal basic income program in conjunction with existing social safety net programs like CalFresh and Medicare, according to the website.
The BIG:LEAP program’s unrestricted funding – cash payments can be used at the recipient’s sole discretion – is unique, said Martin Gilens, a public policy, political science and social welfare professor. Other government assistance programs have carefully constructed restrictions to prevent misuse of funds, Gilens said, adding that people often criticize social programs because they do not trust recipients with aid.
By providing unrestricted funds, individuals can use the payments to cover the expenses most relevant to their specific needs, such as rent, medical bills or groceries, Gilens said.
“The fact that a basic income program provides unrestricted funds has a sort of symbolic message that we trust the people who are getting this money to decide how to use it,” Gilens said.
Furkan Yalcin, the president of the North Westwood Neighborhood Council, said he thinks the program will help many individuals who are most in need.
Yalcin said that despite West LA’s reputation of being a wealthy neighborhood, many students experience financial difficulties and could benefit from a cash assistance program.
Lisa Chapman, the president of the Westwood Neighborhood Council, said she supports the basic income program because similar programs have had positive outcomes for participants.
It’s important for these programs to provide unrestricted money because families will know how best to use their money to help themselves, Chapman said.
“People aren’t in poverty because they’re lazy,” Chapman said. “It’s not because of their bad decisions. It’s because they haven’t had enough money to make better decisions.”
