Cash handout programs funded by state and local governments are cropping up in cities across the United States, handing out at least $125 million according to a recent analysis.
The no-strings-attached welfare checks, going by the name of “guaranteed income,” are being sent out in the name of combatting poverty in America, but the Washington Post found that a Washington, DC mother of three splurged half of her $10,800 handout on a luxury vacation to Miami, as well as a “glow up” for herself.
The recipient, Canethia Miller, was one of the first to receive money through these flagship programs, which are unique in that they come in the form of a lump sum rather than monthly deposits. She told the Washington Post that she took her kids on a boat to tour the city’s waterfront mansions, took them to museums, on a swamp wildlife boat ride, and out to dinner. She said she wanted her kids to have experiences they otherwise would not have had. Meanwhile, she spent $4,000 on bills and plans to keep at least $50 in a newly opened bank account.
Another recipient of DC’s “Strong Families, Strong Futures” program, Erika James, chose instead to receive a monthly $900 payment which she is putting into a savings account for her oldest child. While the programs apparently offer financial literacy courses, the government did not make attendance necessary.
🇺🇸STRUGGLING MOM BLEW TAXPAYER HANDOUT ON TRIP TO MIAMI
Canethia Miller received $10,800 from the 'Strong Families, Stronger Futures' program to help impoverished families.
She spent $6,000 on a luxury trip to Miami because " I wanted to blow it. I wanted to have fun."
Source:… pic.twitter.com/nfrttWxqW6
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) February 23, 2024
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The programs vary from state to state, but typically someone is eligible to receive money when they are below the poverty line, kicking in for adults when they have a salary lower than $15,060 or for families of four when they make around $31,200 or less. Defenders of the programs claim they have lifted some people out of homelessness.
The largest of the programs is the “Big Leap” initiative in Los Angeles, which set out to provide some 3,200 residents with $1,000 per month for one year. Costing $36 million, the program was announced in October 2021 and is described as a “pilot” program to study the “effects” of what happens when people receive no-strings-attached payments.
The second largest program of its kind is also in Los Angeles, paying 1,000 residents $1,000 per month. The third is in New York City, which is paying 600 residents $500-$1,000 per month for three years.
Shane Devine is a writer covering politics, economics, and culture for Valuetainment. Follow Shane on X (Twitter).
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