More Than 80 Cities, Counties Using Federal Pandemic Aid to Fund Guaranteed Income Pilot Programs

Newly redesigned $100 notes are printed at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington, D.C., on May 20, 2013. Mark Wilson/Getty Images

There are at least 82 U.S. municipalities across 29 states now engaged in guaranteed income experiments, including more than 70 with pilot programs created within the past year, according to a coalition of more than 100 mayors promoting the concept.

Mayors for a Guaranteed Income and proponents among municipal officials nationwide are encouraging local governments to seed pilot programs with federal pandemic assistance from a $350 billion fund for state and local governments within the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), adopted in March 2021.