Recommendations for a Proposed Hennepin County Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot Program

Abstract

This paper provides foundational information and background research on guaranteed basic income (GBI) programs to inform Hennepin County on their proposed pilot GBI program. Guaranteed income follows a targeted approach to address income inequality through providing cash payments directly to individuals (Newark Movement for Economic Equity, 2022). The payment is unconditional, meaning there are no strings attached and there are no work requirements. Before launching a pilot program, Hennepin County has prioritized advancing racial equity and minimizing benefit cliffs. Benefit cliffs are especially important to Hennepin County because additional monthly income could impact enrollment and benefit amounts that households may currently receive from social benefit programs.