City of Rochester Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) Pilot Program 

In 2023, the City of Rochester is piloting a year-long program that will provide a Guaranteed Basic Income, or GBI, to selected Rochester residents who live at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. The program is founded upon dignity and the belief that the people in poverty are best positioned to make informed financial decisions that address their household’s needs.

The guaranteed income pilot will provide a monthly stipend of $500 to 350 households for 12 months. It is unconditional, which means there are no strings attached: no work requirements, and no restrictions on how the money can be spent.

Guaranteed income pilot programs are popping up across the country, and Rochester’s program will add to other communities’ information to help determine the impacts of a guaranteed income, as well as influence future policy decisions around broader poverty reduction programs.