New York basic income plan pays $500 per month for 5 years

• Lila Campbell has been receiving $500 a month for five years from New York’s basic income program, Hudson UP.
• She was chosen to be a basic income pilot after learning that her husband had cancer.
• She said the free money gave her a break.

This is a candid essay based on a conversation with Lila Campbell, a 62-year-old widow living in Hudson, New York. She has received $500 a month for five years from the town’s basic income program. Edited for length and clarity.

Before Hudson’s basic income program, I was like most Americans, living paycheck to paycheck as best I could. I had a little bit left over, but not enough to save or do anything with. I’m a retired educator and my husband is also retired so it was okay.

Then, in August 2020, my husband came home and was told that he had been diagnosed with cancer. We know that the journey for someone to receive such a diagnosis is long and takes a lot of time. It requires a lot of emotion. It’s quite mentally taxing. That would take a lot out of you as a human being. And I said, “Oh my god, here’s the bill.”

Then I saw an announcement: “$500 per month for 5 years.” I thought it must be a scam. Even if it were true, they would probably ask him 20 questions. ain’t nobody got time for that. So I paid without worrying.

A few days later, I learned that today was the last day to apply and asked myself if I should apply. My mind said, “Why not? Just take a look.” There were only 3-4 questions, nothing too personal.

So when I got the call that I had been accepted into the program, my first thought was, “Thank you, God.” I was very grateful. And it gave me peace of mind knowing that financially that was an area I didn’t have to focus on. And I was able to channel that energy into my husband. I think I can sleep at night. I felt this kind of peace knowing I didn’t have to worry about his medical bills and not have enough money to pay for other things.

The journey started from there, so I was just grateful. It came at a time of great need. Sometimes we don’t realize we need help until we need it. That was my case. I had no idea I needed this help until I received it. What a blessing! You don’t need to ask anyone anything. You don’t have to play the pathetic person to get what you need. I was a strong black woman dealing with a terminally ill spouse.

We have to put everyone on a level playing field. Everyone should be able to go to bed at night knowing that they can pay their rent, they can put food on the table, they can put gas in their car, they can pay any bill, and they still have some money left over. is. If they want to go to the movies.

One of the amazing things to me about this program is that there is no money constraint. Because in this country, when the government gives you something, you want to know where it’s going to go and how it’s going to be used. I’ll do whatever I want. It supports me. It helps me keep food on the table and pay the rent. We didn’t do anything big or flashy. If I want to invest or save, I have options and choices and it’s free. Everyone should have it.