Washington is known for its abundant resources, and the people of our state are known for a strong commitment to equity. However, while some of the richest people in the country live here, a quarter of Washingtonians are experiencing poverty.

Historic and persistent policies steeped in racism, sexism, and other forms of oppression have continuously excluded women and Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and other People of Color from financial stability and access to public benefits programs. This has resulted in stark race- and gender-based economic disparities.

Guaranteed basic income (GBI) is a policy tool that can help address these disparities and reduce poverty by providing targeted cash support to the people who experience the most systemic barriers to economic security. GBI operates on the principle that every person has intrinsic value and deserves to meet their basic needs regardless of their ability, employment, or family status. Our new report, “Washington state needs a guaranteed basic income program,” highlights why legislators should prioritize a statewide GBI program this legislative session.

GBI is characterized by recurring, unconditional, and unrestricted cash transfers.

• Recurring means more than once and at regular intervals. Many GBI pilots provide cash transfers monthly, but they can be biweekly, bimonthly, or another regular interval. This differs from a one-time lump sum payment, like some tax refunds provide.
• Unconditional means that participants do not need to meet certain conditions common in public benefits programs, such as work, job training, or minimum earned income requirements.
• Unrestricted means that there are no restrictions on how the cash can be used. Participants can decide for themselves how to spend the cash. GBI is designed with trust that participants know best how to care for themselves and their loved ones.

Over 130 local pilots have emerged across the United States in recent years, including five in Washington state. Pilot projects have shown improvements across many measures of individual and community well-being and demonstrated the programs’ potential to yield cost savings to governments. Some specific results include:

• Direct cash recipients in Vancouver, Canada, who had been experiencing homelessness, spent more days in stable housing and fewer days in shelters and programs, generating cost savings of $8,500 per person.
• Babies whose mothers received GBI payments through the Baby’s First Years pilot program showed more brain activity – which is linked to cognitive development – compared to babies whose mothers did not receive GBI payments.
• Data from pilots across the country representing over 7,500 participants show that 86% of the GBI money goes toward paying for clothing, food and groceries, transportation, housing, and utilities.

Overall, researchers estimate that every dollar spent to reduce childhood poverty yields a $7 savings on future economic costs associated with poverty.

The robust evidence from these pilots makes a compelling case for implementing a similar program at the state level. Washington state lawmakers should pass legislation to establish a statewide GBI pilot and set up a model for cash assistance that is more accessible and equitable than the current piecemeal approach of our public benefits system. The results from the statewide pilot can provide the foundation to establish a permanent statewide GBI program that will benefit all Washingtonians who are struggling to make ends meet.