by Peter Knight

 

They’re out! MGI, CGI, and LGI have released data from 25 guaranteed income pilot programs from across the country. One thing is crystal clear: guaranteed income works.

Here are the top lines:

1. Improved financial resilience: Over and over again, researchers found a temporary or sustained increase in recipients’ financial stability. Many recipients reported that they were able to pay down debt, save for emergencies, and increase their earning power.
2. Increased employment: Not a single pilot has shown decreased employment among recipients of guaranteed income. In fact, the vast majority of pilots have shown increased rates of full-time employment.
3. Greater housing & food security: The vast majority of pilots have improved either housing security, food security, or both. Given sharp increases in housing and food costs, while wages have remained stagnant, guaranteed income helped recipients weather tough economic conditions.
4. Better physical & mental health: In many studies, recipients demonstrated reduced stress, less chaotic home environments, and better mental health. An increased sense of agency and hopefulness was a common finding. In several cities, the recurring cash payments helped recipients seek needed medical care for themselves and engage in other health-promoting behaviors, and some showed improved physical health.
5. Supports parenting & caretaking: Increased parent-child time is another common finding, and several cities have demonstrated better outcomes for children, including better grades and fewer absences from school.

To see all the reports, click here.