Cash increases possibility.

Research provides the foundation 

Our motivation

Our goal is to learn from participants’ experiences and better understand both the potential and the limitations of unconditional cash transfers. 

The comprehensiveness of this study allowed us to gather data on unconditional cash to more rigorously measure and understand its impact. 

How would you spend an extra $1,000 a month?

Slide the interactive bars to put $1,000 in context. This list is not exhaustive and many people have financial responsibilities specific to their needs outside of the highlighted categories.

Category

$0

$200

$400

$600

$800

$1,000

You

 

Housing

$0

$0

Food

$0

$0

Childcare

$0

$0

Healthcare

$0

$0

Education

$0

$0

Energy

$0

$0

Commute

$0

$0

Cash is one important piece of the puzzle. The impact may be limited without other resources like health care and child care. 

Meet Basic Needs

The greatest impact on spending per month was on basic needs, specifically food, rent, and transportation. 

Plan for the Future

Cash had an impact on planning to pursue further education, desire to plan for the future, and self-reported willingness to delay instant gratification for future benefit. We also find an effect on having a budget, planning for large expenses, and time spent on finances. 

Moving

Recipients were more likely to move housing units, move neighborhoods, and pay for housing. Recipients reported greater interest in moving and took actions to search for new housing, especially in the final year of the transfers.