FAQ - Long Beach Pledge

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Single headed families (families with dependents and a single income earner)
Families with incomes at or below the federal poverty level in the 90813 zip-code.
Only one member of each household will be eligible to receive the benefit.
Eligibility for this program is a gross household income (before taxes) of 100% or less of the federal poverty level. This number depends on how many individuals are in your household/family unit.

WHAT IS THE LONG BEACH PLEDGE?

The Long Beach Pledge is an initiative of the City of Long Beach that will provide up to 250 families the opportunity to receive $500 a month for 12 months.
This program is made possible by the Long Beach Recovery Act, a plan to fund economic and public health initiatives for Long Beach residents, workers and businesses critically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of $51 million has been allocated to support Economic Recovery which includes $2 million for a Guaranteed Income program and its evaluation. Additional information about the Long Beach Recovery Act is available at longbeach.gov/recovery.

WHAT IS A GUARANTEED INCOME?

A guaranteed income is a type of cash transfer program that provides continuous, unconditional cash payments to individuals or households. A guaranteed income differs from other social safety net policies by providing steady, predictable cash to spend however the recipient sees fit, without limitations.

Our vision of a guaranteed income is to supplement, not replace, the existing social safety net as a tool for protecting livelihoods and enabling economic and racial justice.

Each household enrolled will receive monthly payments of $500 for 12 months.
Each household will have access to expert financial benefits counseling to ensure that zero impact will be had on any participant’s local, county, State or federal public benefits.
Participants will also be referred to additional supportive resources available.

A social security number (SSN) or ITIN is not required to receive a cash payment through the Long Beach Pledge.
Selected applications will receive an email and text message at the contact information provided during the application forms describing any additional documentation needed.

WHY THE 90813 ZIP CODE?

The 90813 zip code was identified by a Community Working Group that reviewed economic research and best practices from other municipalities and determined that the 90813 zip code had the highest need in terms of COVID-19 impact and poverty rates. Focusing direct payments in the area of the city with the highest concentration of poverty will allow for the greatest potential for community impact and will provide data that will contribute to guaranteed income research currently underway throughout the United States.
The 90813 zip code is racially diverse; according to recent analysis based on available U.S. Census data there are 58,380 residents in the 90813 zip code with 65% identifying as Latinx, 11.5% Black or African-American, 12.5% as Asian, 0.4% as Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and 0.2% as American Indian/ Alaska Native.
According to the California Hard-to-Count Index, 72% of all 90813 residents live within a multi-unit structure, 87.8% live in housing units that are renter-occupied, 46.5% have income below 150 percent of the poverty level, and 41.9% of those aged 25 and older are not high school graduates.

There are two categories of success in this pilot. The first is that the pilot makes a positive difference in the lives of the hundreds of individual participants. The research study conducted by an independent evaluation team will track the impact of the program on livelihoods.
The second category of success is that this pilot produces insights which helps to inform the design of future guaranteed income policies at local, state, and federal levels. Through the pilot, we can make progress towards understanding the efficacy of specific cash transfer mechanisms, the best means for identifying and enrolling historically excluded populations, and the impact that cash transfer magnitude has on outcomes—all of which will be critical in informing pilots and government-backed policies launched over the coming years across the country.

At the end of 1 year, the payments will come to an end. Participants will receive alerts six (6) months and one (1) month before the end of the program. Program end reminders will include information about any additional resources and next steps to access any additional supportive resources available.
Data collected during the pilot will be analyzed and results shared with the community through a program report and presentations to City Council and local partners.
The results from this pilot may contribute to discussions regarding broader implementation of guaranteed income at the state and national levels. This pilot is one of many currently being implemented across the country. Successful programs can provide real life evidence on the impact guaranteed income programs can have in different contexts and communities.

Giving people money can address a wide cross-section of issues related to cyclical poverty. It is the most direct way to abolish poverty, and it has been proven to do so while also addressing related issues of health, education, housing stability, and crime. This is not a band-aid solution, but rather a plan to invest in the dignity and agency of Long Beach residents experiencing poverty.
As research has shown, the welfare impacts of a guaranteed income are widespread, including positive health outcomes, higher educational achievement, lower crime rates, and, in some cases, even lower spending on temptation goods like drugs and alcohol. A guaranteed income therefore invests in the dignity and future economic security of Long Beach residents.

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?

We are looking for funders and partners. If you or your organization would like to join as a donor or partner, please reach out to [email protected] or make a direct donation.
To learn more about our partnerships, sign up for future updates, which will keep you informed as these public engagements are announced. As we share stories from this pilot and the impact it has on individual families, we hope you will read and share them widely as we promote guaranteed income as a tool for racial and economic justice.