Cash for Resettlement
We’re partnering with community-based organizations serving immigrants and refugees to provide individuals and families building new lives with recurring, direct cash transfers. The aim of these programs is to gain an understanding of the impact of cash in helping individuals meet their basic needs and improve immigration outcomes.
Upon arriving in the United States, immigrants and refugees often face a period of time where they have pressing needs/expenses, but no way of meeting them. Work authorization can take weeks or even months, but food, housing, transportation and health screening/care costs are immediate. Some temporary public benefit programs are available to “qualified” immigrant populations providing a bridge to work authorization and self-sufficiency, however, eligibility criteria varies. For example, some programs are available only after a five year waiting period.
UnLocal Community Mural, a collaboration with artist Angel Garcia (2020)
Asylum Seekers
May - Oct 2026
Twenty-five asylum seekers in New York City are receiving $1,000/month for 6 months.
The pilot, developed in partnership with the NYU Law Basic Income Lab and Unlocal, Inc, is aimed at understanding the impact of cash on the outcomes of asylum seekers.
-
Number of participants: 25
Population focus: Asylum seekers in New York City
-
Participants are selected by Unlocal, Inc.
-
Understand the lived experience of asylum seekers and impact of a guaranteed income on outcomes.
Improve systems for delivering support to immigrants and refugees.
-
Each participant receives $1,000 of unconditional cash assistance each month for 6 months.
-
4-CT provides the cash assistance, which is funded entirely through philanthropy.
-
Through interviews and surveys, 4-CT and the NYU Basic Income Lab are evaluating the impact of the cash assistance on the immigration and financial status as well as the social connectedness and wellbeing of participants.