Breathe: Los Angeles County's Guaranteed Income Program, was launched in 2022 by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors: Hilda L. Solis, Holly J. Mitchell, Sheila Kuehl, Janice Hahn, and Kathryn Barger.
1,198
participants
$1,000
monthly payment
3 Years
duration
$3,400,000
invested in community
| Program Features | |
|---|---|
| Number of Participants | 1,198 individuals |
| Amount | $1,000 |
| Frequency | monthly |
| Program Dates | June 2022-August 2025 |
| Eligibility | Initial cohort of 1,000 participants, receiving payments for 3 years: Over the age of 18; resident in a neighborhood identified as being at or below LA County’s Area Median Income (AMI); in a single person household that falls at or below AMI or in a household with two or more persons that falls at or below 120% AMI; have been financially negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic; and not concurrently participating in another guaranteed income program. Second cohort of 200 participants, receiving payments for 2 years: Former Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) foster youth. The total of continuing participants is now 1,198. |
Los Angeles County launched Breathe to provide its residents the chance to “breathe” easier knowing they are more financially secure. Breathe is a guaranteed income pilot project initially providing 1,000 eligible residents with $1,000 per month for three years. A second cohort of 200 participants, all former Los Angeles County DCFS foster youth, was subsequently added, receiving payments for two years. The total of continuing participants is now 1,198. (Demographic and spending data shown here reflect all participants combined.) While the benefits of guaranteed income programs have been documented, this independent research project will study the effects of this type of program so the County and other jurisdictions can learn about the project’s impact on participants’ economic stability, as well as their overall health and well-being.
Data last updated October 1, 2024.
$44,797
$38,000
21.2%
20%
37.3%
31%
31.2%
40%
8.5%
8%
STOCKTON
STATE MEDIAN
Breathe
$10,875
Los Angeles County, CA
$82,516
Annual Household Income (Mean)
$14,353
Sample Size
1200
Avg. Age of Respondent
39
Avg. Children in Household
1
Avg. Household Size
3
Male
32%
Female
66%
Other
2%
Married
18%
Single
70%
Partnered/In-Relationship
11%
Yes
50%
No
50%
White
28%
African American
27%
American Indian/Alaska Native
2%
Asian
6%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
1%
Latino
13%
Other/Mixed
23%
Hispanic
57%
Non-Hispanic
43%
English
70%
Spanish
23%
Other
7%
The guaranteed income pilot launched during a period of dynamic change and economic challenges for pilot participants. The chart below situates this pilot in the context of unemployment and inflation.
The data in this pie chart shows aggregate spending for guaranteed income participants in Los Angeles County, CA. This includes all non-cash expenditures from the participants' pre-paid debit card that is loaded with guaranteed income payments monthly.
Spending breakdown
Food and groceries accounted for the largest share of spending, at 35.32%, followed by Retail sales and services (31.06%) and Transport related expenses (10.09%).
