The St. Louis Guaranteed Basic Income pilot, launched in late 2023, provided $500 per month for 18 months to more than 500 low-income families with school-age children. The city was one of 39 cities and counties that used American Rescue Plan Act dollars to start similar programs. The pilot was evaluated independently by the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis — specifically its Center for Social Development and Evaluation Center — with collaborators at Appalachian State University.
The researchers used a mixed-methods design: surveys and interviews, household spending data and anonymized monthly credit records. Across the study period, families reported fewer missed rent and utility payments, reduced food insecurity, greater ability to manage unexpected expenses, and early emergency savings. Parents also described improved support for children’s education, extracurricular activities and health needs.
Administrative credit data showed participants’ credit scores rose by an average of 12 points compared with similar local residents who did not receive payments; the improvement was mainly tied to fewer missed bill payments. A temporary, lawsuit-driven pause in payments in 2024 coincided with short-term declines in participants’ credit health, underscoring the value of consistent, predictable income. Researchers noted that guaranteed basic income is not meant to replace public benefits but can complement them. They recommended reducing administrative barriers in traditional programs, ensuring steady payment delivery, and offering optional financial capability services. Funding came from the American Rescue Plan Act, the Jack Dorsey #StartSmall Initiative, and local philanthropic partners including the James S. McDonnell Foundation; evaluation funding came from St. Louis city and the Deaconess Foundation.
Difficult words
- guaranteed basic income — regular cash payments to people to support income
- pilot — small-scale initial program to test an idea
- mixed-methods — research using both numbers and personal accounts
- anonymize — remove personal identifiers from dataanonymized
- food insecurity — lack of reliable access to enough food
- administrative barrier — rules or procedures that make access difficultadministrative barriers
- credit score — number showing a person's borrowing historycredit scores
- predictable — likely to continue without surprise
- complement — add to something to improve it
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Discussion questions
- How might steady, predictable cash payments change a family's ability to handle unexpected expenses? Give reasons or examples.
- What are the possible benefits and limits of guaranteed basic income when it is offered alongside existing public benefits?
- Which administrative barriers in traditional programs could be reduced to help families apply more easily, and why would that matter?
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