Contra Costa County Looks to Approve Guaranteed Basic Income Program

On Tuesday, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors will look to approve $3.5 million for a THRIVES Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot Program.

According to the agenda, the $3.5 million program would serve just 170 people over an 18 month time period. The program would be administered by the Employment and Human Services Department for an estimated payment issuance period of January 2026 through December 2027.

This program will be funded by $3,250,000 in Measure X funds, $1,000,000 in AB 109 funds, and $16,200 Voluntary & Emergency Services Team in Action (VESTIA) funds for a total funding amount not to exceed $4,266,200.

According to the presentation:

Goals and Populations

Provide consistent, unconditional cash payments to reduce financial volatility and improve participant’s ability to meet basic needs.
Assist youth transitioning from foster care, families with young children, and individuals reentering the community post-incarceration in navigating major life transitions with financial stability as a foundation.
Help housing-insecure older adults remain stably housed and/or maintain their homes by assisting with repairs.
Leverage existing county programs by selecting participants enrolled in services, increasing engagement with case managers, and reducing barriers to successful outcomes

General Eligibility Criteria

Active participant in one of the following County-sponsored programs
- CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work or Cal-Learn
- Independent Living Skills Program
- Adult Protective Services
- Probation

Cannot be enrolled in another Guaranteed Income program
Must not have participated in a prior Guaranteed Income program
Has legal control of finances

Referral Process

County caseworkers identify all eligible candidates
County caseworkers submit all eligible candidates to Manager for review and approval
Manager refers all eligible candidates to EHSD GI Program Manager
EHSD GI Manager invites all eligible candidates to mandatory orientation
EHSD GI Manager refers all consenting candidates to UC Davis for random assignment to participant or control group

Back in October of 2024, the Board of Supervisors directed staff to create a plan that could launch a Guaranteed Income Program.

Staff is proposing an allocation of $5.7 million in Measure X funding (one-time money) to launch guaranteed income pilots countywide. The item did not come without debate as it was more than a 4-hour discussion as the Board of Supervisors received a report along with hearing other programs which included residents in the City of Concord and City of Antioch which aimed to provide a safety net. There were also many public comments. At the time of that presentation, 13 cities, 15 counties, and 7 states were offering guaranteed income pilots.

At the meeting, Supervisor Candace Andersen stated her goal was to break the cycle of poverty and was not questioning helping those in need.

“I do not see guaranteed income as being the best vehicle for us to do this,” said Andersen. “This program will serve 250 people… I would much prefer us to leverage those same dollars and put them into the programs Marla has described where if we can bolster Calworks, 6,000 people would benefit. Or 12,000 people if we were focusing on Calworks and CalFresh.”

Andersen stated when asked what the pilot would achieve, they were getting, “well, it shows others that we care, it would show that we like pilots for guaranteed income, it would bolster maybe the state would come up with one. She also added for guaranteed income to continue, it would require the Federal Government and State to increase funding for these programs.

“Other concerns I have with guaranteed income is there is a cliff after 18-months, the people fall off,” said Andersen who called most of the benefits anecdotal but was not showing her what they need to justify spending $5.5 million on 250 people to demonstrate what seemed logical that someone will be happier and have a better quality of life when getting more money for a short period of time. “The other concern was there was no strings attached and guaranteed income does not require you to do some pretty basic things.”

Meanwhile, Supervisor Ken Carlson admitted he had struggled with Guaranteed Income but was on board with the AB 109 monies being used because its sitting there.

Supervisor Diane Burgis highlighted her concerns over helping a limited amount of people. She also said her constituents, many have stopped her to say they “don’t like it”.

“I’ve said over and over, I really want to leverage these dollars to help the most people. And I do recognize that a $1,000 can help 250 households, it really could. But I am not sure it’s the best use of our money. I do like the idea of engaging with those who are getting services and trying to lift them up and keep those services for them,” stated Burgis.

Three motions made:

Gioia made the motion: Provide $1 million in Guaranteed Income for AB 109 monies. Staff would create program and bring it back to the board. Supervisors approved 5-0.
Glover made the motion: Provide $2.5 million in Guaranteed Income (tied to CalWorks/CalFresh): Supervisors approved in 5-0 vote.
Carlson made the motion: remainder of $5.7 million be allocated to a Guaranteed Income program w/hope to approach $3 million in direct payments. Supervisors voted 4-1 with Andersen dissenting.

If You Go
Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Meeting
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
9:00 am
Administration Building 1025 Escobar Street, Martinez