These five county-run pilots offer money with no strings attached, up to $1,200 per month, to selected residents. Residents of Howard, Alameda, Franklin, and Santa Clara Counties should check whether they qualify and how to apply.
Howard County, Maryland: The guaranteed basic income pilot
Howard County’s first GBI pilot, funded through a nonprofit grant of $750,000 managed by the Community Action Council, began in August 2025. Twenty families were chosen by lottery from 292 applicants to receive $1,000 monthly cash for 12 months.
Criteria for eligibility:
- Living in Howard County (Columbia, Laurel, Elkridge, Savage)
- Having at least one child under the age of 18
- Having a household income level between 150-300% of federal poverty level
- Not receiving housing vouchers or subsidies
Participants can choose to participate in “wrap-around” services, such as financial coaching or early childhood education, but are not mandated to do so. The CAC will survey participants quarterly and at the end of the year on impacts on financial stability, stress, and parental engagement.
Alameda County, California: Rise Up Alameda
Alameda will utilize $4.6 million from the American Rescue Plan Act for a 24-month direct cash assistance pilot, providing $1,000 per month for 150 low-income households. The selection process was randomized from among applicants with incomes at or below 50% of area median income (AMI).
Highlights:
- For residents ages 18 and older with household income at or below 50% of AMI (e.g., ≤$73,950 for a family of four);
- Duration shall be 2 years, payment shall not be counted for CalWORKs or CalFresh eligibility.
- Objectives: Reduce economic instability, shift narratives of poverty, inform anti-poverty policy
Participants are free to use the funds for any basic need, and benefit counseling will be offered at the start and end of the program.
Franklin County, Georgia: DFCS Cash Assistance
While the GI pilot is Franklin County Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) administering TANF, low-income families may be eligible for monthly cash assistance up to around $615 and other support services.
Program highlights:
- TANF provides income and medical assistance to families with dependent children under age 18
- Work requirements: participate in employment, education, or training activities
- A program providing cash assistance to grandparents raising grandchildren
This cash assistance supports basic needs, so it is restricted, and there is an income limit based on the Federal Poverty Level.
Santa Clara County, California: Multiple targeted pilots
GI Factory in Santa Clara County: Four active pilots are presently attempting to bring GIs to certain politically sensitive target groups:
- Former Foster Youth: $1,000/month for two years (first cohort of 72 aged 21–24)
- Formerly Incarcerated Individuals: $1,200/month for 24 months to ~100 participants
- Young Mothers: Launching summer 2025, details forthcoming
Unhoused high-school seniors: scheduled summer 2025
Eligibility will vary from one cohort to another, with referrals coming from child welfare, parole offices, and housing assistance agencies. Every pilot gives an unconditional monthly stipend alongside optional caseworker support, with a rigorous program evaluation done in quarterly surveys.
How to check if you qualify
Although programs differ, there are some common eligibility aspects.
- Residency: Usually within the county or city for 1–2 years
- Income eligibility: Varies between 50% and 300% of the poverty line or AMI
- Target groups: Families with children, ex-foster youth, people who have been in conflict with the law or those that are insecure in terms of accommodation
- Application procedures: Either open calls or selective enrollment through referrals, generally on the websites of the respective counties or through nonprofit partners
Next steps
- To see if you qualify, go to your county’s or city’s website (e.g., www.howardcountymd.gov; riseupalameda.org; sccgov.org).
- Examine the program’s frequently asked questions and eligibility checklists.
- Prepare and send the required documentation-proofs of residence, income verification and household demographics-to submit during the deadlines set forth.
- Obtain your spot in the program by completing all necessary lottery or referral processes.
These pilots are quietly emerging, yet their impact is growing. Early data from Howard and Alameda counties show that participants report reduced financial instability, enhanced mental well-being, and improved opportunities for investing in their children’s education. By finalizing the evaluations, more jurisdictions may soon join Howard and Alameda in with no-strings cash stipends, thereby reshaping local efforts to combat poverty.
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