Critical life transitions can exacerbate the risk of adverse outcomes for populations with low incomes, including pregnant people and young people aging out of foster care. To support these groups at this critical time of their lives, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) implemented seven pilot programs providing guaranteed income to 1,928 people. Another 1,436 applicants were randomized to a control group. GI recipients received $600 to $1,200 monthly for 12 or 18 months, with no conditions or requirements.

Pilot program participants reflect important subgroups prioritized by the state and selected pilots. About 40 percent of the sample was Black, 39 percent was Hispanic, 12 percent was white, and 9 percent was another race. A total of 120 participants self-identified as American Indian or Alaska Native (4 percent of the sample). The McKinleyville site served a higher proportion of participants who identified as American Indian or Alaska Native (21 percent of the site’s total sample). One-third of the total study sample was from Los Angeles, 8 percent was from rural counties, and 59 percent was from other counties. 

The programs also offered optional benefits counseling to help participants understand how certain public benefits could be impacted if they accept the guaranteed income, and the state secured benefits waivers to ensure that many means-tested benefits were not affected.

Urban Institute researchers are evaluating the pilot programs’ implementation and effectiveness. The implementation study analyzes program operations—focusing on eligibility processes, program structure, and site variation—to help CDSS improve future program guidelines. The impact study measures outcomes across multiple domains, including health, financial well-being, and employment, and, for pregnant participants, perinatal and birth outcomes.