In the fall of 2023, Shaunice King was on bed rest with a complicated pregnancy, unable to work or pay rent. Her third child was on the way, and money was running out.

“A lot of things were falling apart financially, from financial bills to rent,” King said.

Then she saw headlines about a new St. Louis pilot program that would give 540 qualified families $500 a month for 18 months, known as a guaranteed basic income (GBI) program.

To qualify, applicants had to live in the city of St. Louis with a child enrolled in St. Louis Public Schools or a public charter school, have proof of financial hardship from the COVID-19 pandemic and a household income that fell within poverty-level guidelines.

King met the requirements and applied. By the new year, she was getting $500 a month, deposited o

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