Opinion: New York families deserve more than survival. A guaranteed income will help.

In recent years, New York state has been a national leader in passing policies that put money back in the pockets of hardworking residents and spur the economic mobility of low- and middle-income residents. But as the U.S. faces an affordability crisis spiraling from tariffs, a slashed safety net and other catastrophic economic policies at the federal level, it’s essential that we continue pushing forward to make sure New York families are able to thrive in our state. Guaranteed income, which has been piloted in each of our respective cities, is one of the solutions that we hope our state leaders will consider.

Guaranteed income is recurring cash support that comes without strings, given to people who are economically vulnerable, so that they can have their basic needs met. Across the state, pilots have provided one year of guaranteed monthly payments. In Ithaca, 110 unpaid caregivers and their families received $450 per month. In Rochester, 351 local residents whose income was below $27,000 per year received $500 per month. Mount Vernon’s pilot provided $500 per month to 200 residents with incomes below 80% of the Community Development Block Grant Program annual income limit.

All of our cities’ pilots were evaluated by independent researchers, and the results show that guaranteed income works. Recipients were able to afford food and rent, increase their savings, pay down debt and find more work. Key determinants of social health were positively impacted: recipients were able to better care for the physical and mental health of themselves and their families, they spent more quality time with their children and they were able to participate in their communities in meaningful ways.

Sarah, a mom in Ithaca, used the guaranteed income to afford child care so she could pick up extra work. Randall in Mount Vernon described how the cushion created by guaranteed income relieved his mental stress and helped him be more present with his children. Across pilots, New Yorkers of all different backgrounds described using the payments to meet basic needs, increase the financial stability of their households and invest in their children.

New York State leaders know that the cost of raising a family is too high in our state. That’s why the state Legislature passed and Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the increased Child Tax Credit, which will provide families with up to $1,000 per child under the age of four and up to $500 for school-aged children, starting this year. Hochul also sent out one-time Inflation Rebate checks last year to help residents with the rising cost of living. 

Other states are taking steps towards guaranteed income as policy. Michigan made headlines with the statewide expansion of Flint’s Rx Kids, which offers mothers $1,500 in cash assistance mid-pregnancy, followed by $500 per month for up to a year of the baby's life. Tens of thousands of infants will benefit in the next few years. And Cook County, Illinois, garnered national attention when it expanded its PROMISE guaranteed income pilot into a permanent program. 

We hope that our state leaders will take notice of the guaranteed income pilots happening here in New York. Boosting the financial stability of New York families is smart economic policy, ensuring that our residents are able to not only survive but thrive as parents, workers and community members. It reduces the social and financial consequences to our state when people slip into crisis and need emergency services. We reap benefits to our local and state economy when people are able to afford goods and services, and benefits to our communities when they are able to participate meaningfully, whether it’s going to PTA meetings, volunteering at the food bank or helping keep family and friends out of crisis. 

In the richest country in the world, we have a moral obligation to ensure that all people have their basic needs met. Guaranteed income increases opportunity, improves resilience and gives people the flexibility to decide what’s best for their families. It makes our families and our communities stronger. New York state leaders should take a serious look at the results from our pilots and consider how unconditional, recurring cash policies can benefit our great state.