The California Abundant Birth Project
The California Abundant Birth Project (CA ABP) is a guaranteed income program giving pregnant individuals at highest risk of preterm birth unconditional monthly cash gifts, starting in the 1st or 2nd trimester for 12-18 months. Operated by Expecting Justice (fiscally sponsored by Heluna Health), it expanded the original San Francisco pilot into Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, and Riverside counties beginning 2024. Monthly amounts range $616-$1,000 by county, delivered via reloadable debit card. Enrolled 850 participants across four counties as of May 2025; funded by CA Dept of Social Services, SF/LA county governments, and philanthropic foundations. Eligibility based on income limits and preterm-birth risk factors (Black race, sickle cell anemia, hypertension, diabetes, prior preterm birth).
Guaranteed income, Pregnancy, Maternal health, Birth equity, Black mothers, Preterm birth, California, Multi-county
Headquarters
- Organization Name
- Expecting Justice
- City
- City of Industry
- State / Province
- California
- Country
- United States
Contact
Status & Funding
- Organization status
- Active
- Program status
- Active
- Application status
- Timed
- Number of recipients
- 850
- Funding type
- Government, Philanthropic, Corporate
Benefits
- Currency Type
- Fiat
- Currency
- USD
- Total Amount
- 18,000 USD
- Avg. Per Month
- 1,000 USD
- Payment frequency
- Monthly
- How long the program lasts
- 18 months
- Distribution Type
- Debit Card
- Benefit details
Monthly unconditional cash gift for 12-18 months starting 1st/2nd trimester, loaded on debit card monthly. County amounts: Alameda $967, Contra Costa $1,000, Los Angeles $807, Riverside $616. No requirement to report use, no bank account needed. Benefits counseling offered; optional Storytelling and Policy pools.
Eligibility
Overview
- Eligibility details
Live in Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, or Riverside County; 8-27 weeks pregnant at random selection ('Abundance Drawing'). Household income under county-specific limit ($81,581 Riverside to $132,360 Contra Costa). Must have at least one preterm-birth risk factor: Black/African American identity, previous preterm birth, pre-existing hypertension, pre-existing diabetes, or sickle cell anemia. Cannot be simultaneously enrolled in another guaranteed income program.
Demographics
- Sex
- Female
- Gender
- Female, Nonbinary
- Race / ethnicity targets
- Black or African American
Family
- Family Status
- Expecting
Health
- Health conditions
- Sickle cell anemia, Pre-existing hypertension (including preeclampsia), Pre-existing diabetes, Previous preterm birth
Financial
- Income limit (annual household)
- $132,360
Geography
- US states covered
- California
- Countries covered
- United States
- Counties covered
- Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Riverside
- Residency of Target Geography
- Yes
Participation
- Research / data sharing
- Optional
- Research / participation requirements
Evaluation conducted by UC Berkeley, UC Davis, and Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University with local community researchers; some participants also invited into a second State of California/Urban Institute evaluation. Up to four surveys during pregnancy/postpartum, some invited to two interviews. Entirely voluntary, does not affect cash benefit eligibility.
Application Process
- How to apply
Applied online through a dedicated AidKit portal linked from abundantbirthproject.org, confirming county residency, pregnancy stage, income, and risk-factor eligibility. Confirmed eligible applicants entered a recurring random drawing. Applications for the four-county expansion now closed, all 850 slots filled as of May 2025.
- Selection process
Eligible applicants entered the 'Abundance Drawing,' an automated system randomly selecting participants from the confirmed-eligible pool twice per month. Selected applicants invited to enroll and receive their debit card and monthly payments.
