Three states handing out ‘unrestricted’ $500 monthly checks in days – and no strings are attached
THREE states are handing out monthly checks for Americans worth $500 within days - and there's no strings attached.
The cash is being given out to those who are less fortunate and need the support the most.
These programs take place in different parts of the country, but all share the same mission.
Nonprofits all over the US are banding together amidst rising economic pressures.
All of the checks are going out this month as the programs continue, and will span far into the future.
SUPPORT FOR ARTISTS
Springboard for the Arts is a little-known initiative offering basic income support for artists in Minnesota.
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It offers $500 checks every month for five years - meaning someone can earn up to $30,000 for nothing.
Springboard is one of the first programs of its kind, as reported by The US Sun.
Others like it do exist, but they are very hard to come by.
The organization also founded one of the very first pilot programs to provide a basic income for artists - the Guaranteed Income for Artists pilot.
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Founded in 2021, it originally supported 75 artists in the Frogtown and Rondo neighborhoods of Saint Paul and Otter Tail County.
It offered those involved $500 checks monthly for 18 months, but has now been extended to the five year mark.
Funding for the program has come from private foundations, including the Bush, Kresge, Ford, and McKnight foundations.
From January, 100 artists in Minnesota have received the no-strings-attached payments.
Laura Zabel, Springboard's executive director, said: "Our program is emerging as a national model, demonstrating how guaranteed income can transform artists’ lives, build community resilience, and strengthen local economies.
"We're not just defying political headwinds - we're changing the narrative with data, artwork, and meaningful stories of impact.
"When artists can focus more on their work, families, art, and their community instead of worrying about basic needs, everyone benefits."
FAMILY MATTERS
Another scheme, UpTogether, targets families in Michigan and Illinois, The US Sun reported recently.
The system is a basic income program aimed at supporting those who make less than 80% of their area median income.
People involved in the scheme can receive up to $500 every month.
It started in September 2024 and will run until September 2025, with the amount being paid depending on a person's individual circumstances.
How does Guaranteed Income work?
Guaranteed Income and Universal Basic Income programs have taken off in popularity recently.
After the Biden administration's American Rescue Plan of 2021 sent stimulus money to local governments, dozens began testing guaranteed income (GI) systems.
The specifics vary, but GI typically involves payouts to people with low incomes. Unlike traditional welfare, there are no job requirements, drug tests, or other strings attached.
Some have pushed for a Universal Basic Income (UBI), which would go to everyone regardless of how much money they make at work. Alaska has used a similar system since the 1970s.
Proponents say this alleviates poverty while incentivizing work, unlike classic welfare, which cuts benefits from people who begin earning "too much" money to qualify.
Opponents argue such a system is too expensive to function on a large scale and suggest Americans should avoid becoming reliant on government money.
With some cities heralding the success of GI programs, some Republican-led states have moved to ban them. States like Texas and Iowa, for example, have undermined major spending plans by pushing against GI.
In an exclusive statement to The US Sun, UpTogether said: "These initiatives aim to demonstrate the power of direct cash investments in helping families achieve financial security and economic mobility.
A recipient of the cash added: "It’s not just about the money. It’s about the confidence it gives you.
"I can walk into a store, look people in the eye, and know I can buy what I need.
"It’s given me breathing room to start over and focus on healing."
The scheme has also been praised for the freedom it gives families to spend the cash how they want to.
Astar Herndon, Midwest Partnership Director at UpTogether, said in a statement: "We believe families know best how to meet their own needs when given the resources and trust to do so.
"These initiatives show that families across Illinois and Michigan can benefit from direct cash investments, and their stories are critical in advocating for broader policies and practices that promote trust and economic mobility."
Currently, 103 families are supported by UpTogether.
MOTHERLY LOVE
The Ohio Mothers Trust is a guaranteed income program that is backed by nonprofit groups such as UpTogether and the RISE Together Innovation Institute
The $500 monthly checks last for a year and the next one goes out in April, as covered by The US Sun.
Qualifying candidates were selected ahead of the first distribution in December.
They must've been single mothers residing in the Columbus area with annual income levels at or below the 80% median for the area.
Currently, there are 32 mothers based in Columbus, Ohio, getting financial assistance.
What is an EIP card?
THE Economic Impact Payment card is a pre-paid credit card that the government used to distribute some stimulus payments.
It was one of three ways used to pay out cash. The other options were via electronic money transfer or paper checks.
The cards were paid to 4million US residents who the government didn't have banking information for.
The cards can be used to make purchases or you could withdraw the money from an ATM, without paying a fee.
You can also transfer cash to your bank account.
If you're sent one you need to head to the EIP card website to activate it.
In a press release, Danielle Sydnor, CEO of RISE Together, said that the Ohio Mothers Trust wad created to "show that providing unconditional cash support to mothers can significantly boost the financial stability and overall well-being of families."
She added: "Childhood poverty was estimated to cost Franklin County $5.2 billion in lost economic activity in 2021.
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"Providing families with the resources they need is an investment in their future and the future health of our community."
After the payment this month, a total of around $80,000 would've gone out so far as part of the program.
