Q: What is the idea behind a guaranteed income?

A: Research from projects across the country has shown that guaranteed income is an effective way to combat several factors that are stifling economic mobility – the coronavirus pandemic and its immediate and long-term economic fallout -- and longstanding systemic racism. Over the last five years, the median income in the City of Alexandria has increased, yet the poverty rate stayed the same. This is why the City is pursuing a guaranteed income pilot. Known as Alexandria Recurring Income for Success and Equity (ARISE), Alexandria’s guaranteed income pilot gives participants, more freedom, dignity, and self-determination to make choices for their financial well-being. The research shows that when given unrestricted payments, participants can create economic stability for themselves and their families. Direct financial supports have also been found to improve health, education, and child welfare outcomes. The pilot will be run by the City’s Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS).

Q: Why Alexandria and why now?

A: Data from the United Way shows that for a family of four to cover basic costs in Alexandria, (basic costs for this calculation include: housing, childcare, food, transportation, health care, smart phone, miscellaneous and taxes) a family must make at least $101,076 annually. Adjusted for various family sizes and associated cost of basic needs, the United Way calculates that thirty-seven percent of households in Alexandria live below the threshold necessary to meet their basic needs. The United Way terms this population ALICE – Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. We know that ALICE is comprised of our caregivers, healthcare providers, educators, service industry workers, entrepreneurs, Uber drivers and more. They are also disproportionately people of color and have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. With racial equity a key priority for the City, the Guaranteed Income Pilot gives us an important opportunity to learn how financial security, education, employment, mental and physical health and general quality of life outcomes may improve when people are given the opportunity to cover their basic costs while making their own decisions about how an additional $500 each month can improve the wellness of their family.

Q: How will Alexandria’s GIP work?

 A: Alexandria Recurring Income for Success and Equity (ARISE), Alexandria’s GIP, will provide monthly recurring cash payments of $500 for 24 months to 170 randomly selected residents, living at or below 50 percent of the City’s Area Median Income (AMI). The cash payment is unconditional, with no work requirement and no restrictions on how it is to be spent. This “no strings attached” approach is important because it allows participants to make the best decision for themself and their family about how to increase their own family economic stability and wellbeing. The pilot will be evaluated by external researchers, and 210 residents will be randomly selected to participate in a control group. The research will help us understand the impact of the program and inform future policy options and local program implantation efforts.

Q: Who will be eligible to participate in the pilot program?

A:  Alexandrians making at or below 50 percent of the City’s Area Median Income (AMI) are potentially eligible for selection into the pilot.

Q: How will participants be selected?

A: Faith-based and community nonprofit organizations will help reach out to eligible populations. Through these groups, and a range of communications methods, residents who meet the eligibility criteria will be invited to complete the online application to be entered into the selection pool. The research partner will randomly select from the application pool, who will receive the monthly cash payment and who will participate in the control group.

Q: Which zip codes can participate in the program?

A: Residents of all zip codes within the city limits of Alexandria, Virginia are eligible to apply. However, as encouraged by the rules and procedures outlined in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the focus is on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) “qualified census tracts” (QCTs) within four Alexandria zip codes - 22312, 22311, 22304 and 22305.  Targeted outreach to these QCTs may also include mailers and application sites.

Q: What criteria will be used to evaluate the program's effectiveness?

A: Working with a qualified research partner, one such mechanism to evaluate the program’s effectiveness is utilizing a Randomized Control Trial (RCT). An RCT includes both a treatment group and a control group. The latter will comprise 120% of the treatment group, or approximately 210 individuals relative to the size of the treatment group. Since the control group does not receive the cash payment, outcomes will be compared across both groups to ascertain whether members of the treatment group report better physical, mental, social, and economic situations at the conclusion of the pilot.  Additionally, the city is exploring incorporating an ethnographic component to the research design, which will help the City gain a better insight on how participants are actually doing throughout the duration of the program and after its conclusion.

Q: What is the purpose of the control group, and the benefits for participants in the group?

A: The control group will be made of households who do not receive the monthly cash payment, but closely resemble the participants who are receiving payments. This allows researchers to determine the impact of the additional income on those who received it and those who did not. Participation incentives are being developed for control group members. Both the control and pilot participants will have access to supportive resources offered by the City.

Q: Will participation in the program affect a participant’s existing public benefits?

A: The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) has given DCHS Procedural Authority to consider the GIP cash payment as a gift in the eligibility determination process for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and Child Care Subsidy. Therefore, those three benefits will not be impacted.

On the other hand, the cash payment will be counted as income in the eligibility determination for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Social Security Insurance, and therefore will impact those benefits.  A decision by VDSS and Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) on Medicaid is pending. Moreover, the GIP cash payment will not affect unemployment insurance.

Prospective participants will receive counseling regarding the impact the cash payments will have on all benefits. The prospective participants will sign an Informed Consent stating that they understand the risk at the time of selection and enrollment into the program.

Q: How will GIP cash payment affect federal “cash” benefits such as SSI, Veterans Pensions, and the Child Tax Credit?

A: According to the Social Security Administration (SSA) the cash payment will impact social security benefits. At this time, we are not aware of any impact on the Child Tax Credit nor veteran pensions.

Q: How will payments to program participants be disbursed?

A: Alexandria DCHS is in discussions with potential disbursement partners to determine the mechanism to disperse payments to participants. We anticipate that payments will be disbursed electronically and/or via pre-paid card.  

Q: What happens if a household’s income becomes stable or exceeds income guidelines at any point during the pilot enrollment?

A: It is anticipated that such a scenario would not impact an individual or household’s enrollment in the pilot over the course of the 24-month program period.

How is the program being funded?

A: On July 6, 2021, the Alexandria City Council approved the use of $3 million of the City’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation for the Department of Community and Human Services to design and pilot a Guaranteed Income Program. ARPA, enacted by Congress and signed into law by President Biden on March 10, 2021, provides funding for many programs and services nationwide. Through the passage of ARPA, the City has received a $59.6 million allocation that will be disbursed in two equal tranches through December 30, 2024.

Q: What are the expected results of Alexandria’s GIP?

A: It is expected that the Alexandria’s GIP will improve program participants’ financial, social and/or physical or mental health throughout the pilot. Alexandria GI research partners will conduct a rigorous qualitative and quantitative analysis to learn how participants’ lives changed.

Q: When will participants be notified if they are selected or not? When will the GIP begin?

A: These dates are still to be determined. The goal is to launch the pilot by summer 2022. Information about dates will be posted here and communicated to potential participants and stakeholders as information becomes available.

Q: Who are the partners supporting the initial planning and development of this pilot?

A: ACT for Alexandria, Bruhn-Morris Family Foundation, City of Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services, Ideas42 and Mayors for Guaranteed Income are the planning partners. There is interest in expanding this group to include a cross section of private organizations who are stakeholders in building economic mobility in the city.

Q: How can I learn more about the pilot?

A: The City of Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) and ACT for Alexandria will keep the community informed on any future community partner meetings and general community information sessions.

Q: What is the Alexandria GIP and how is it funded?

A: The Alexandria GIP, also known as Alexandria Recurring Income for Success and Equity (ARISE), provides a $500.00 monthly payment to 170 participants who are residents of the city. Funding for the GIP comes from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) passed by Congress and signed into law by the President in March 2021.

Q: What is guaranteed income?

A: Guaranteed Income is a cash payment, provided to participants monthly with “no strings attached” – meaning participants have the freedom to choose how to spend the money as you see fit.

Q: Am I eligible to apply to be selected for the guaranteed income pilot in the City of Alexandria?

A: The design of the pilot program is still being developed and will include an income eligibility requirement. Participants will need to be at or below 50% of Area Median Income (AMI). For the City of Alexandria, this would mean household income would be at or below the following levels, dependent on how many people are in the household:

Q: How much money do participants receive?

A: Residents selected for the pilot will receive $500.00 monthly for 24 months.

Q: How can I apply?

A: An online application will be released as soon as possible with a target of summer 2022. Further details on the application process, and the specific dates for application window, will be forthcoming.

Q: How many participants will be selected?

A:  170 will be selected to receive the cash payment.

Q: When will participants be notified if they are selected or not? When will the GIP begin?

A: These dates are still to be determined. The goal is to launch the pilot by summer 2022. Information about dates will be posted here and communicated to participants and program stakeholders as information becomes available.

Q: Will participation in the program affect a participant’s existing public benefits?

A: The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) has given the Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services permission not to count the $500.00 cash payment as earned income and therefore will not affect Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and Child Care Subsidy.

On the other hand, the cash payment will be counted as income in the eligibility determination for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Social Security Insurance, and therefore will impact those benefits.  A decision by VDSS and Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) on Medicaid is pending. Moreover, the GIP cash payment will not affect unemployment insurance.

Prospective participants will receive counseling regarding the impact the cash payments will have on all benefits. The prospective participants will sign an Informed Consent stating that they understand the risk at the time of selection and enrollment into the program.

Q: How will GIP benefits affect federal "cash" benefits such as SSI, Veterans Pensions and the Child Tax Credit?

A: At this time, it is our understanding that GIP payment will not impact participants’ enrollment in other federal cash programs.

Q: Will participants need to claim this money on their taxes as income?

A: No; we are currently working with our federal partners to structure the guaranteed income cash payment as a “gift;” which will ensure program participants will not be required to claim payments as income on their taxes. As a result, participants will not be required to pay taxes on this money.

Q: Will this be available to any Alexandria resident regardless of immigration status?

A: Yes, those who otherwise do not qualify for enrollment in federal benefit programs are eligible to apply and participate in the guaranteed income pilot.

Q: Do you have information whether this would impact (or has impacted in other programs) the public charge determination for immigration status?

A: The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) is no longer applying the August 2019 Public Charge Final Rule which was introduced during the Trump Administration and expanded the range of benefits and other factors immigration officials could consider under the rule. Instead, USCIS has returned to applying the rule based on the 1999 public charge interim field guidance. This means that receiving Medicaid, SNAP, or federally subsidized housing no longer impacts applications for lawful permanent resident (green card) status. Therefore, cash payments made through ARISE also would not impact applications for lawful permanent resident status.

Q:  Can a family apply if only one of the members of the household is receiving income?

A: Yes.

Q: If you are a tax filer, can you still apply?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you have to be 18 years of age or older to apply?

A:  Yes, you must be 18 years of age or older to apply.

Q: Is there a limit of how many people per household can apply?

A: Yes, only one application per household will be allowed.

Q: Would someone with 100% disability be able to apply for this program?

A: Yes.

Q: Is there a paper option or other opportunity to apply for those with limited internet access?

A: Applications will be electronic only. However, there will be several sites/locations around the City for people to get online to complete and submit  application. Those sites will be publicized well in advance of the application process on this website and through community partners.

Q: What is the City hoping to achieve through this pilot?

A: The City is hoping to learn how money without any specific spending requirements impacts the economic stability and wellbeing of residents. Any improvement in participants’ financial, physical and/or mental health and other quality of life indicators is the primary goal of the pilot.  

Main page for information about ARISE.