Inland SoCal United Way Guaranteed Income Pilot
Inland Southern California United Way (ISCUW), a Riverside, CA nonprofit, runs a guaranteed income pilot for Riverside and San Bernardino counties as one of California's seven state-funded GI Pilot Program sites administered by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). The pilot provides unconditional monthly cash payments to pregnant individuals in Riverside County and to former foster youth aging out of care in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, using a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design with a control group. Funding combines a $5 million CDSS grant with support from Riverside County's Children & Families Commission, the Guaranteed Income Pooled Fund, the James Irvine Foundation, US Bank, and private donors, totaling roughly $10 million. AidKit serves as the digital application and payment platform.
California GI Pilot Program, CDSS-funded, Randomized Controlled Trial, Foster Youth, Pregnant Individuals, Dual-Track Eligibility, Statewide Pilot
Headquarters
- Organization Name
- Inland Southern California United Way (ISCUW)
- City
- Riverside
- State / Province
- California
- Country
- United States
Contact
- Website
- https://inlandsocaluw.org/
- Phone
- +1 951 289 3328
- Social media links
Status & Funding
- Organization status
- Active
- Program status
- Inactive
- Application status
- Timed
- Number of recipients
- 444
- Funding type
- Government, Philanthropic, Corporate
Benefits
- Currency Type
- Fiat
- Currency
- USD
- Total Amount
- 13,500 USD
- Avg. Per Month
- 750 USD
- Payment frequency
- Monthly
- How long the program lasts
- 18 months
- Distribution Type
- Direct Deposit, Physical Debit Card, Virtual Debit Card
- Benefit details
The pilot has two distinct benefit tracks: pregnant individuals (first or second trimester, Riverside County) receive $600/month, and former foster youth turning 21 (Riverside and San Bernardino counties) receive $750/month. ISCUW's own materials state both tracks run 18 months, though CDSS's program page separately (and inconsistently) lists a 12-month duration for the pregnant-individuals track; this discrepancy could not be resolved with certainty. Payments are unconditional and disbursed via direct deposit, physical debit card, or virtual debit card through AidKit, and are structured (via state benefits waivers) so as not to jeopardize participants' CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Medi-Cal eligibility. A control group received $20/month plus $25 per completed research survey instead of the full benefit.
Eligibility
Overview
- Eligibility details
Eligibility runs along two tracks: (1) pregnant individuals in their first or second trimester who reside in Riverside County and meet low-income criteria, and (2) former foster youth within about 30 days of turning 21 who had an active foster care case in Riverside or San Bernardino County (county residency itself not required for this track). Applicants could not be enrolled in another guaranteed income program at the same time. Eligible applicants were randomized via lottery into a treatment group (full payments) or a control group. ISCUW's 2024 launch announcement cited planned capacity of 500 pregnant individuals and 120 former foster youth (620 total treatment slots), while CDSS's current program page cites final enrollment of 409 pregnant individuals and 35 former foster youth (444 total) - closely matching the 444 treatment/157 control figures reflected in program records.
Family
- Family Status
- Expecting, Foster Youth
Health
- Health conditions
- Pregnancy (first or second trimester, for the pregnant-individuals track only)
Geography
- US states covered
- California
- Countries covered
- United States
- Counties covered
- Riverside, San Bernardino
- Residency of Target Geography
- Yes
Participation
- Research / data sharing
- Required
- Research / participation requirements
The program is evaluated at the state level by the Urban Institute and UC Berkeley (statewide findings expected by summer 2028) and additionally referenced as having a 'local evaluation' by ISCUW; the seed-listed evaluator (Claremont McKenna College) could not be independently verified in available sources. Participants complete periodic evaluation surveys and focus groups for compensation ($25-$50 gift cards). Control group participants receive $20/month plus $25 per completed survey to encourage continued research participation.
Application Process
- How to apply
Applications were submitted online through an AidKit-hosted platform. Applications for former foster youth (Riverside and San Bernardino counties) opened in January 2024; applications for pregnant individuals (Riverside County residents only) opened February 8, 2024. Prospective applicants could also call 2-1-1 or the program line at (951) 289-3328. As of 2025, applications are closed - all openings were filled under available funding in 2024.
- Selection process
Eligible applicants were randomly selected via a lottery/randomized controlled trial design into either the treatment group (receiving full monthly cash payments) or a control group (receiving a smaller monthly incentive plus survey compensation). Former foster youth status was verified through CDSS administrative data; pregnancy verification requirements varied and were largely self-attested to reduce applicant burden.
