Advocates Push for Permanent U.S. Cash Assistance Programs as Federal COVID-19 Relief Funds Expire
Advocates for guaranteed income are working to transition pandemic-era cash assistance programs into permanent government policy as federal COVID-19 relief funds, specifically from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), are nearing their spending deadlines. A report titled “Right on Time: How Cash Helps Families Move Through Life’s Transitions,” published by Economic Security Project (ESP) researchers Shafeka Hashash, Maya Tellman, and Rayan Semery-Palumbo, argues for institutionalizing “no-strings-attached” cash assistance. Many U.S. municipalities, including Evanston, Illinois, have launched universal basic income-style pilot programs since 2018, often relying on a mix of private philanthropy and emergency federal stimulus. With these funds diminishing, local officials are seeking alternative ways to sustain these cash handouts, including repurposing existing taxpayer budgets. The report suggests integrating direct payments into existing social safety net programs, particularly during life transitions such... 
