dailyloe.com – Harper, a single mother, received a $20,400 basic income as part of Atlanta’s program aimed at low-income Black women. She was one of 650 participants in this initiative between 2022 and 2024. After the program ended two years ago, she resumed multiple jobs to stay financially afloat.
The extra income helped Harper build savings and obtain a new teaching certification. However, paying monthly bills remains a challenge. Business Insider first spoke with her in the summer of 2024, when she had begun teaching full-time and felt stable enough to leave her part-time retail jobs.
Currently, she has returned to juggling multiple jobs but states that life feels more stable now. Harper said, “Before basic income, I was pretty much homeless.” The program allowed her to secure housing and provided financial relief.
Harper noted, “I was able to get a new apartment, substitute teach, and pay my rent because I had that extra income.” This support also enabled her to move into a larger apartment and find a better job opportunity.
Across the United States, numerous cities have conducted basic income pilot programs over the past decade. Advocates view these payments as a potential solution to poverty or as a supplement to existing social safety nets like SNAP and Section 8.
Some tech leaders have proposed no-strings-attached cash as a way to support the workforce amid AI advancements. Participants in various programs reported using funds for childcare, household bills, education, and debt repayment.
Most studies on cash aid focus on participants’ lives before, during, and immediately after receiving income. Data on long-term impacts is less prevalent. Harper qualified for the In Her Hands program due to her household income being below 200% of the federal poverty line.
The threshold is approximately $64,000 annually for a family of four. Harper stated that the monthly payments of $850 allowed her to move out of a relative’s home and afford necessities like groceries and children’s activities.
Prior to the program, Harper worked multiple retail jobs, which strained her family life. She expressed, “I’ve never had it where I could just go home to my own kids, pick them up from practice.” Her children are involved in sports, and she struggled to attend their games while working.
Business Insider has collected insights from numerous participants who benefited from cash payments. Many emphasize the positive impact on their financial stability and family life.
