Christopher Santiago recalls being skeptical the first time he heard about basic income — giving people cash with no conditions on how to spend it.

These days, some tech entrepreneurs argue that cash aid will be needed as gig work, automation and AI threaten jobs.

Philanthropic donations are another major funding source, including from groups that have long organized direct cash payments to combat poverty in developing nations.

For the poorest families, that lack of cash can make it hard to pay for things like utilities, transportation to a job, enough food for a full month or school supplies for children.

“Ultimately, if we want this person to become self-sufficient, if we want the outcome of our safety net to not merely be subsistence, work is a key aspect of flourishing long term,” Ford says.

Castro, West and others are racing to find answers, as more and more places turn to direct cash payments to help struggling Americans.

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