09/22/2026
On Atlanta’s Westside, 275 women are receiving $36,000 over 36 months through In Her Hands, one of the largest guaranteed income programs in the country. It is also one of the first to give participants full choice in how they receive their money: as a single lump sum upfront or through steady monthly payments.
One year in, three findings stand out, consistent with research from many other guaranteed income pilot programs:
✔️ Paying bills got easier. Women receiving guaranteed income were significantly less likely to say it was very difficult to cover their monthly bills.
✔️ Participants are beginning to save. For many, flexible cash made it possible to build emergency savings for the first time.
✔️ Participants are planning for the future. Having a meaningful, predictable income floor gave women the breathing room to focus on long-term goals.
Together, these findings reflect a broader pattern across the research on direct cash transfers: when people have a meaningful and reliable income floor, they are better positioned to reduce hardship, build savings, and plan for the future.
Direct cash can create the breathing room families need to build greater stability. But lasting financial security also depends on the policies and systems that shape people’s economic opportunities. At a time when rising costs are squeezing families across the country, understanding what helps people stay afloat is more important than ever.
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