Applications are now being accepted for the city of Los Angeles’ “Guaranteed Basic Income” Pilot that would provide $1,000 to individuals, monthly.

Until Sunday, November 7, The “Big Leap” program will take applications and consider 3,000 Angelenos 18 and over, who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and whose income falls within the Federal Poverty Level.

The Federal Poverty Level

  • One individual making less than $12,880
  • Family of two making less than $17,420
  • Family of three making less than $21,960
  • Family of four making less than $26,500
  • Family of five making less than $31,040
  • Family of six making less than $35,580
  • Family of seven making less than $40,120
  • Family of eight making less than $44,660
  • Plus $4,540 for every additional family member above eight

Once the approximate 3,000 individuals are chosen, the monthly $1,000 checks will be distributed for a total of 12 months, through already established welfare programs.

There will be no regulations on how the money spent and it will not need to be repaid.

“GBI programs are founded upon the belief that the people enduring financial instability or poverty are best positioned to make informed financial decisions that efficiently address their household’s needs— whether that means paying for rent, a new tire, or an unexpected trip to urgent care,” the program’s site reads. “These participants are granted the freedom to meet their most pressing needs without delay.”

While proposing the city’s budget in April, Garcetti mentioned that universal basic income plan would be written in to aid those in the poverty level during the pandemic.

“We have budgeted $24 million to provide $1,000 a month to 2,000 households, no questions asked,” Garcetti said in his State of the City address in April. “We’re betting that one small but steady investment for Angeleno households will pay large dividends for health and stability across our city and light a fire across our nation.”

The program’s pilot will serve as research and its efficacy may decide if a guaranteed basic income program can be assessed at a larger scale.

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