Level Up Guaranteed Income Pilot Program, Mount Vernon, NY

Level Up was launched in 2023 by Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard.

200

participants

$500

monthly payment

1 Year

duration

$1,200,000

invested in community

logo
Program Features  
Number of Participants200 individuals
Amount$500
Frequencymonthly
Program DatesApril 2023-March 2024
EligibilityA resident of Mount Vernon, at least 18 years of age, with a minimum income of $15,000 and no more than 80% of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program annual income limit.

About the Level Up Guaranteed Income Pilot Program, Mount Vernon, NY

Level Up is a guaranteed income project that provides 200 eligible Mount Vernon residents with $500 per month for one year. This independent study will add to the guaranteed income evidence, helping the city and other jurisdictions understand the project’s impact on the economic stability of participants and their overall health and well-being. This guaranteed income program is 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.

Data last updated October 1, 2024.

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Demographic Data for Study Participants

Median Annual Household income

Level Up

$26,400

Mount Vernon, NY

$68,075

Annual Household Income (Mean)

$58,775

Sample Size

197

Avg. Age of Respondent

43

Avg. Children in Household

2

Avg. Household Size

3

gender

Male

23%

Female

77%

Other

0%

marital status

Married

9%

Single

72%

Partnered/In-Relationship

19%

children in household

Yes

54%

No

46%

race

White

9%

African American

76%

American Indian/Alaska Native

1%

Asian

0%

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0%

Latino

5%

Other/Mixed

7%

ethnicity

Hispanic

33%

Non-Hispanic

77%

primary language at home

English

86%

Spanish

12%

Other

2%

Economic Context for Pilot Participants

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.

Start of Covid-19 PandemicJan 2019MarMayJulSepNovJan 2020MarMayJulSepNovJan 2021MarMayJulSepNovJan 2022MarMayJulSepNovJan 2023MarMayJulSepNovJan 2024MarMayJulSepNovJan 2025MarMayJulSepNovJan 202602468101214161820Unemployment02468101214161820Inflation
Unemployment  
Inflation  
Pilot Timeline
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Spending Breakdown

The data in this pie chart shows aggregate spending for guaranteed income participants in Mount Vernon, NY. This includes all non-cash expenditures from the participants' pre-paid debit card that is loaded with guaranteed income payments monthly.

Spending breakdown

Retail sales and services accounted for the largest share of spending, at 35.02%, followed by Food and groceries (33.47%) and Housing & Utilities (11.09%).

M.B.

I was able to make Christmas ‘The best one yet’ for my children and grandson and I was able to have two wonderful holiday meals (Thanksgiving & Christmas) with my family. The program was able to relieve some stress when it came to paying for last-minute expenses as well.

M.B.

Level Up Guaranteed Income Pilot Program, Mount Vernon, NY

Mount Vernon, NY

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