Chicago Resilient Communities Pilot
The Chicago Resilient Communities Pilot was a $31.5 million guaranteed income program run by the City of Chicago's Department of Family and Support Services, providing $500 per month for 12 months, with no restrictions on spending, to 5,000 low-income Chicago households disproportionately affected by COVID-19. It was funded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act and administered by the nonprofit GiveDirectly. Recipients were chosen by lottery from over 176,000 applicants, with priority for households in deep poverty and communities hit hardest by the pandemic. The University of Chicago's Inclusive Economy Lab ran an accompanying research study. Payments ran from mid-2022 through mid-2023, and the effort was later succeeded by an expanded program called the Chicago Empowerment Fund.
Guaranteed Income, COVID-19 Recovery, Lottery Selection, GiveDirectly-Administered, American Rescue Plan Act, Largest US Public Guaranteed Income Investment
Headquarters
- Organization Name
- City of Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS)
- City
- Chicago
- State / Province
- Illinois
- Country
- United States
Contact
- Phone
- +1 312 743 0300
- Social media links
Status & Funding
- Organization status
- Active
- Program status
- Inactive
- Application status
- Timed
- Number of recipients
- 5,000
- Funding type
- Government
Benefits
- Currency Type
- Fiat
- Currency
- USD
- Total Amount
- 6,000 USD
- Avg. Per Month
- 500 USD
- Payment frequency
- Monthly
- How long the program lasts
- 12 months
- Distribution Type
- Direct Deposit, Prepaid Debit Card
- Benefit details
Participants received $500/month for 12 months via direct deposit or a prepaid debit card, with no restrictions on spending. GiveDirectly administered enrollment/payments and offered benefits counseling. Funds were treated as qualified disaster relief and generally did not count as taxable income; most public benefits (SNAP, TANF, SSI, housing vouchers) exempted the payments, though WIC eligibility could be affected. All 5,000 recipients received their first payment by August 2022.
Eligibility
Overview
- Eligibility details
Eligible applicants had to reside in Chicago, be 18+, have experienced COVID-19-related economic hardship, and have household income at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level. Only one application per household. The lottery weighted selection toward households at/below 100% FPL and in communities with preexisting economic hardship. Final participants were disproportionately women, Black, and living in deep poverty.
Demographics
- Minimum age
- 18
Financial
- Income limit (annual household)
- $70,000
- Income as % of Federal Poverty Level
- 250 %
- Banked status
- Banked, Unbanked
Geography
- US states covered
- Illinois
- Countries covered
- United States
- Cities covered
- Chicago
- Residency of Target Geography
- Yes
Participation
- Research / data sharing
- Optional
- Research / participation requirements
The University of Chicago's Inclusive Economy Lab ran a mixed-methods research study using surveys, interviews, and administrative-data linkages. Both funded recipients and a comparison group were invited to participate optionally, with a small stipend. Published outputs include the Feb 2023 'First Look' report and Feb 2024 'Big Shoulders: Implementing the Chicago Resilient Communities Pilot' implementation report; a comprehensive final impact evaluation was anticipated but not confirmed published.
Application Process
- How to apply
Applicants applied online during a three-week window in spring 2022 at chicagocashpilot.org. Only one application per household accepted; applicants attested to Chicago residency, age 18+, COVID-19-related hardship, and income at/below 250% FPL. The City received more than 176,000 applications.
- Selection process
Eligible applicants were entered into a randomized, computer-generated citywide lottery administered by GiveDirectly, weighted to prioritize households at/below 100% FPL and in communities with preexisting economic hardship. 5,000 households were selected.
