According to News Week, A new guaranteed income program in California opened for applications this Monday, but eligibility is restricted by certain racial requirements. The program, which is now live in Sacramento County, offers a $725 monthly check to selected families who meet specific criteria.
Supporting Low-Income Families and Reducing Child Abuse
Approved under the Family First Economic Support Pilot, the program aims to help low-income families while addressing deeper social issues. Sacramento County officials hope the initiative will help lower rates of child abuse and prevent children from entering the state foster care system.
Disproportionate Impact on Black and Native Families
Statistics show a disproportionate number of Black and American Indian/Alaska Native children in foster care. According to Sacramento County, Black children are 4.6 times more likely to have a Child Protective Services (CPS) report investigated and 4.5 times more likely to be removed from their families. Similarly, American Indian and Native Alaskan children face 2.9 times the likelihood of having a CPS report filed.
Due to these disparities, Sacramento County’s Board of Supervisors approved the guaranteed income program specifically for parents of Black or American Indian/Alaska Native children aged 0 to 5. The goal is to address systemic inequalities while supporting these vulnerable groups.
Eligibility and Application Requirements
In addition to the racial requirement, the program also imposes income restrictions. Applicants must earn less than 200 percent of the federal poverty line, and the program is limited to families residing in certain Sacramento zip codes: 95815, 95821, 95823, 95828, 95825, and 95838.
The program, funded by the California Department of Social Services, is open for applications until October 13 at 11:59 p.m. Applications can be submitted online at ffesp.org, and 200 families will be randomly selected from the pool of eligible applicants to receive the no-strings-attached payments.
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Support and Criticism of the Program
While many see the program as a necessary step toward addressing racial and economic disparities, it has faced some criticism, particularly over its racial requirements. Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor at the University of Tennessee at Martin, noted that this program is similar to other guaranteed income pilots across the country, though it has a more specific target audience.
“When programs like this are announced, some will wrongfully assume this means funding for anyone under a certain economic threshold,” Beene told Newsweek. “The reality is this program is very selective, targeting those who are under 200 percent of the federal poverty level, and will only be distributed to 200 randomly selected individuals.”
Despite the program’s intentions, it has drawn criticism from social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter). One user commented, “That is overtly racist and sounds illegal,” while another wrote, “California’s new motto: Equality for all… except if you’re white, then you’re just funding it!”
Success of Guaranteed Income Programs in Other Areas
Many other cities and states have implemented guaranteed income programs with notable success, though most do not have race-specific requirements. These programs have been linked to higher rates of employment, better financial stability, and improved housing and food security.
For example, Minnesota’s Guaranteed Income Pilot for Artists has expanded by five years, offering $500 monthly payments to rural artists. The initiative is seen as a model for how guaranteed income can benefit both individuals and local economies.
“Our program is emerging as a national model, demonstrating how guaranteed income can transform artists’ lives, build community resilience, and strengthen local economies,” said Laura Zabel, executive director of Springboard for the Arts.
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