Strong Families, Strong Futures DC
Strong Families, Strong Futures DC (SFSF) is an unconditional direct cash assistance pilot for new and expectant mothers in Washington DC's Wards 5, 7, and 8, launched in February 2022 by the DC Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) and administered by the nonprofit Martha's Table. The initial $1.5 million cohort provided 132 mothers a total of $10,800 each, paid either as 12 monthly installments of $900 or as a single lump sum, per each participant's own choice (about 75% chose the lump sum). The program also connected participants to wraparound supports such as free groceries and clothing, financial empowerment workshops, and early childhood education enrollment help. DC funded additional cohorts in FY2024/FY2025 (e.g., 118 mothers beginning April 2024), but as of 2025-2026 advocacy groups are pushing DC to "restore" the program, indicating a funding lapse/pause.
Guaranteed Income, Unconditional Cash Transfer, Maternal Health, New/Expectant Mothers, Wards 5/7/8, Washington DC, Lump Sum Option, Public-Private Pilot
Headquarters
- Organization Name
- Martha's Table
- City
- Washington
- State / Province
- District of Columbia
- Country
- United States
Contact
- Phone
- +1 202 328 6608
- Social media links
Status & Funding
- Organization status
- Active
- Program status
- Inactive
- Application status
- Timed
- Number of recipients
- 132
- Funding type
- Government, Philanthropic
Benefits
- Currency Type
- Fiat
- Currency
- USD
- Total Amount
- 10,800 USD
- Avg. Per Month
- 900 USD
- Payment frequency
- Lump Sum
- How long the program lasts
- 12 months
- Benefit details
Each of the 132 participants received a total of $10,800 in unconditional cash, distributed per the participant's choice: either $900/month for 12 months or a single lump-sum payment of $10,800 (roughly 75% chose the lump sum, a feature the Washington Post called unique among US guaranteed income pilots). Beyond cash, participants received weekly access to free groceries and children's/professional clothing, financial empowerment workshops (via DC's Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking and Capital Area Asset Builders), and help enrolling children in accredited early education programs. A subsequent cohort (118 mothers, mostly in Ward 8) began receiving monthly payments in April 2024, funded via DC's FY2024-FY2025 budgets.
Eligibility
Overview
- Eligibility details
Eligible participants were new or expectant mothers residing in DC Wards 5, 7, or 8 with household income at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level for their family/household size. No additional public eligibility criteria (e.g., age floor, immigration status, marital status) were specified in official sources beyond ward residency, income, and pregnancy/new-motherhood status.
Demographics
- Sex
- Female
- Gender
- Female
Family
- Family Status
- Expecting, Parent
Financial
- Income as % of Federal Poverty Level
- 250 %
Geography
- US states covered
- District of Columbia
- Countries covered
- United States
- Cities covered
- Washington DC
- Residency of Target Geography
- Yes
Participation
- Research / data sharing
- Optional
- Complementary program enrollment required
- Financial empowerment workshops (DISB, CAAB) and early childhood education enrollment support were offered alongside cash payments, but were not confirmed as mandatory conditions of receiving cash benefits.
- Research / participation requirements
Martha's Table used qualitative and quantitative methods (participant surveys) to evaluate the pilot's impact on maternal/child health, spending, and savings behavior, publishing a Technical Brief (November 2023) with findings such as 75% of funds spent on food/housing/transportation, 47% of participants building savings, and 'excellent health' self-reports rising from 20% to 28%.
