This summary focuses on participants’ social networks during the Austin Guaranteed Income Pilot. It combines data from our baseline, 6-month, and 12-month surveys with data from participant interviews to present a snapshot of how Austin residents with low incomes use the cash from the pilot program to connect with people who could offer them access to resources, jobs, and emotional support to advance their social and economic prospects by the completion of the program.

We found the following:

• Participants we surveyed reported feeling more connected to the people in their community over the pilot period.
• The cash enabled some participants to invest in job training and to deepen their networks of job contacts, building the skills and relationships they needed to move into more secure jobs and earn higher wages.
• Participants shared that as a result of the cash payments, they were able to spend more time engaging with community organizations, both to receive the help they need and to help others.