California’s Guaranteed Income Experiments
California continues to lead with guaranteed income programs, which work like small, regular stimulus checks for specific groups.
One example? The Abundant Birth Project, offering monthly stipends to expecting mothers in San Francisco to ease the financial strain of pregnancy. Across the state, dozens of pilot projects are running, covering low-income families, young adults leaving foster care, and more.
Other states—including Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Mississippi—are also experimenting with local guaranteed-income pilots. These aren’t blanket programs for everyone, but if you live in one of these areas, it’s worth seeing if your city or county has opened applications.
