Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI2) Pilot Program

About the GBI2 Pilot Program

In partnership with Howard County Government, the Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC) has been selected to lead the Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI2) Pilot Program. GBI2 builds on the success of last year’s pilot, continuing a transformative approach to guaranteed basic income.

The GBI2 Pilot Program provides eligible families with $500 per month for 12 months. An additional $500 per month will be placed into a savings account at a local bank. These savings will be released in July 2027 after the participant completes a financial literacy program through a designated CAC partner.

The goal of this program is to support economic mobility and self-sufficiency. Families can use the funds to meet their most urgent needs, such as housing, food, education, transportation, or healthcare.

What makes this program different from the other assistance programs?

Unlike traditional assistance programs that limit how funds can be used, GBI2 provides unrestricted financial support. This allows families to make the best decisions for their own needs.

This approach is supported by national data. Studies show that guaranteed income programs help families experience greater financial stability, less stress, and better outcomes in housing, education, and health. See Guaranteed Income Works.

Program Criteria

To be eligible for the GBI2 Pilot Program, families must meet all of the following requirements:

Must live in Howard County for the full duration of the program
Must have at least one child age 17 or younger living in the household(must be either the biological or adoptive parent(s), or guardian(s), and have full or partial care-taking responsibilities for the child)
Must not receive income-based housing assistance (such as Housing Choice Voucher, Baltimore Regional Housing Partnership (BRHP), Moderate Income Housing Unit (MIHU) property, or tax credit housing)
Must have a household income between 150% and 300% of the Federal Poverty Level>>> Click here to view 2026 Poverty Guidelines
Must be willing to meet with a CAC staff member monthly (in person or virtually)
Must be willing to complete a financial literacy program by June 2027

Selection Process

You must complete an application and meet all eligibility requirements to be considered. If we receive more applications than we have slots available in the program, a lottery will be conducted to randomly select applicant households in early June. The selected applicants will be required to submit proof of the answers provided in this application before proceeding with the program, including (but not limited to):

Copy of fully signed (and active) lease or latest mortgage statement
Copy of a government issued ID for each person listed on the lease or mortgage
Proof of income for the month of April 2026 for anyone 18 years and older living in the home (e.g. paystubs, social security award letter, or unemployment benefits)
Birth certificate or court document that verifies legal guardianship for all children age 17 and younger living in the household

If you do not submit all required documents within 14 days, you will lose your spot in the program. Your place will be offered to the next household on the waitlist.

Ready to Apply?

Click the button below to complete the application.

Application Period:

Opens: Friday, April 24, 2026

Closes: Friday, May 22, 2026 at 4 PM

Important: Only ONE application entry per household is allowed. Any attempt to fill out multiple forms using different names or different email addresses will disqualify the household from the random selection process.

Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI2) Pilot Program

About the GBI2 Pilot Program

What makes this program different from the other assistance programs?

Program Criteria

Selection Process

Ready to Apply?

Please answer the following questions to see if you are eligible for the GBI2 Pilot Program.

This GBI2 Pilot requires participating households to have a total combined income between 150% and 300% of Federal Poverty Levels to qualify.

Your combined household income must be between $23,940.00 and $47,880.00

Your combined household income must be between $32,460.00 and $64,920.00

Your combined household income must be between $40,980.00 and $81,960.00

Your combined household income must be between $49,500.00 and $99,000.00

Your combined household income must be between $58,020.00 and $116,040.00

Your combined household income must be between $66,540.00 and $133,080.00

Your combined household income must be between $75,060.00 and $150,120.00

Your combined household income must be between $83,580.00 and $167,160.00

Your combined household income must be between $92,100.00 and $184,200.00

Your combined household income must be between $100,620.00 and $201,240.00

Your combined household income must be between $109,140.00 and $218,280.00

Your combined household income must be between $117,660.00 and $235,320.00

Your combined household income must be between $126,180.00 and $252,360.00

Your combined household income must be between $134,700.00 and $269,400.00

To determine your combined household income, you must include both earned and unearned income for all household members.

I certify that the information I have provided is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that providing misinformation or refusal to disclose accurate information, which is essential for the determination of my eligibility in this program, may disqualify my application.

I further understand that submission of this application does not confirm or guarantee my selection, eligibility, or participation in the GBI2 pilot program.