Mayors Guaranteed Income Initiative

flyermgi

Thank you for participating in the Level Up MGI Pilot Program!


If you need additional resources, call Financial Navigators at 211 or fill out the intake form and allow Financial Navigators staff to provide you with information on various programs and services—including public benefits programs, utility assistance, emergency financial assistance, and more. 

For additional resources, signup for the Mayor’s weekly report for updated information.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is LEvel UP- Mount Vernon Guaranteed Income Program?

Level Up is a guaranteed income project that will provide 200 eligible Mount Vernon residents with $500 per month for one year. While the benefits of guaranteed income programs have been documented, this is an independent research project that will be used to study the effects of this type of program so that the city and other jurisdictions can learn about the project’s impact on the economic stability of participants, as well as its impact on participants’ overall health and well-being.

 Guaranteed income is a monthly cash payment given directly to individuals. It is unconditional, with no strings attached on how to spend it and no work requirements. It is meant to supplement, not replace, the existing social safety net.


  1. How will participants be selected?
  1. Timeline of Level Up MGI Program
  1. What is the “control group?” Is there a benefit for participating?
  1. How will the research study work? How will success be measured?
  1. If selected, how will I receive my monthly Guaranteed Income distribution? Do I need to have a bank account?
  1. Who will I be engaging with if I’m selected to participate?
  1. How will I know if I’ve been selected as a participant?
  1. Will i hear from someone if I wasn't chosen?
  1. I was not selected to participate but I still need help. Are there any resources available to me?
  1. If I become incarcerated, will I continue to receive MGI funding?
  1. If illness or death, will my next of kin continue to receive MGI funding?
  1. Will my public benefits be affected by participating?
  1. Who do I contact if my Guaranteed Income distribution is not received?
  1. What should I do if my contact information changes?
  1. Will I have to verify my information?
  1. Why should we provide people with guaranteed income?
  1. Why not just guarantee jobs or housing?
  1. How do local communities benefit from guaranteed income?
  1. I didn’t get a confirmation email or text. Did you receive my application?
  1. Funding of the Level Up MGI Pilot Program

Glossary of Terms

  1. Participants

People who have been selected to receive the Guaranteed Income payment of $500 per month for 12 months.

  1. Treatment Group
  1. Control Group
  1. Non-Participants
  1. Screening Tool
  1. Application Survey
  1. Cash Distribution