The program will choose residents who will be able to spend the payments however they decide. However, each recipient will be evaluated by two Salem State University faculty members, according to a statement from the program. Applications will open on October 28 and residents will have two weeks to apply or until eligible applications have been received - whichever comes first. To submit a form, be sure to check out the Uplift Salem website.
Participants must reside in Salem, Massachusetts - this included unhoused residents who spend the majority of their time in Salem. Guaranteed Income and Universal Basic Income programs have taken off in popularity recently. After the Biden administration's American Rescue Plan of 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 s. 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.
