Guaranteed Basic Income FAQ

In 2023, the City of Rochester is trying out a year-long program called Guaranteed Basic Income, or GBI. The guaranteed income is a monthly payment of $500 given directly to 351 individuals for 12 months. It is unconditional, which means there are no strings attached, no work requirements, and no restrictions on how the money can be used.

GBI is the City of Rochester’s first guaranteed income initiative. It is meant to supplement, rather than replace, the existing social safety net and be a tool for racial and gender equity. The research component of the program will help determine the impacts of a guaranteed income and influence future policy decisions around broader poverty reduction programs.

Rochester’s GBI program is being funded by the City’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. The City was granted ARPA funding from the federal government, and has chosen to invest $2.2 million of that funding in this GBI pilot program.

Applications will open on Thursday, June 22 at 10 a.m. and will remain open for one week, through Thursday, June 29 at 11:59 p.m. Two random selections of qualified applicants will take place, for a total of 351 participants.

Eligible residents will be able to apply online. The application will be made available on this website. Application assistance will be available at City of
Rochester Neighborhood Service Centers, City of Rochester Libraries, and other community-based organizations.

Selected participants will receive $500 per month for 12 months, for a total of $6,000.

No. The $500 monthly payments have no strings attached. Participants can use the money however they need.

There are two ways participants can choose to receive their payments. Monthly deposits can be deposited directly into participants’ bank accounts. All participants who do not currently have bank accounts will have a free account created for them by program partner M&T Bank. Participants who do not wish to work through a bank account can receive their payments by check.

All participants will meet their project coordinator at Black Community Focus Fund (BCFF) soon after being selected to participate. You should direct all questions about your GBI payments to your BCFF project coordinator.

Some public benefits programs have income requirements that include GBI payments as “countable income.” This means that receiving GBI payments might affect your benefit levels or your eligibility for those programs.

GBI project coordinator BCFF will offer benefits counseling and help you understand how GBI may affect your eligibility and benefit levels for public programs. We want to provide you with as much information as possible so you can make the best decision for yourself and your family.

No. The GBI program is considered a cash gift according to the current definition set by the IRS. Cash and asset gifts only need to be reported to the IRS if you receive $17,000 or more in one year. Because GBI will amount to $6,000 per year, you may need to pay taxes if you receive additional cash/asset gifts totaling $11,000 or more in one year.

You should contact your project coordinator at BCFF right away if you change your email address or phone number. You will still be able to receive your monthly payments, but it’s important that we have up-to-date contact information.

If you move outside of the City of Rochester you will not be able to continue to receive GBI. Contact your project coordinator immediately if you have to move.

The purpose of the GBI pilot program is to help people create a financially sound future for themselves, so improvements in your financial situation are exactly what we are hoping for. We will congratulate you, and you will remain a part of the GBI pilot program.

An arrest will not necessarily disqualify you from receiving GBI payments. But any incarceration must be short-term (a maximum of three months); any time served over three months will disqualify you from receiving further GBI payments.

GBI has no strings attached, which means recipients do not have to do anything special to keep receiving monthly payments.

Participants will also have the opportunity to participate in surveys so researchers can learn more about guaranteed basic income. Those who participate in the surveys will receive additional incentives.

In addition, participants will be able to receive free professional financial counseling services.

Speaking to media is NOT a requirement for participating in the GBI pilot program. Your participation in this pilot is confidential and anonymous and we encourage you to keep your participation confidential as well. If you are approached by media, you can direct them to contact the City’s Communications Director at Barbara.Pierce@ CityofRochester.gov.

But if you would like to share your story, please let us know. We will work with a few participants who would be willing to do interviews and have their story documented, and can share those stories anonymously. If you feel that this is you, please let your BCFF project coordinator know during y our enrollment session. 

• Arnett Branch — 310 Arnett Blvd., Rochester N.Y. 14619, (585) 428-8214
• Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County — 115 South Ave., Rochester N.Y. 14604, (585) 428-7300, TDD: (585) 428-8023 
• Charlotte Branch — 3557 Lake Ave., Rochester N.Y. 14612, (585) 428-8216
• Frederick Douglass Community Library — 971 South Ave., Rochester N.Y. 14620, (585) 428-8206
• Lyell Branch — 956 Lyell Ave., Rochester N.Y. 14606, (585) 428-8218
• Maplewood Community Library — 1111 Dewey Ave., Rochester N.Y. 14613, (585) 428-8220
• Monroe Branch — 809 Monroe Ave., Rochester N.Y. 14607, (585) 428-8202
• Phillis Wheatley Community Library — 33 Dr. Samuel McCree Way, Rochester N.Y. 14608, (585) 428-8212
• Sully Branch — 530 Webster Ave., Rochester N.Y. 14609, (585) 428-8208
• Winton Branch — 611 N. Winton Road, Rochester N.Y. 14609, (585) 428-8204

• Northwest Quadrant Neighborhood Service Center — 400 Dewey Ave., Rochester, N.Y. 14613, (585) 428-7620
• Northeast Quadrant Neighborhood Service Center — 500 Norton St., Rochester, N.Y. 14621, (585) 428-7660
• Southwest Quadrant Neighborhood Service Center — 923 Genesee St., Rochester, N.Y. 14611, (585) 428-7630
• Southeast Quadrant Neighborhood Service Center — 320 N Goodman St., Suite 209, Rochester, N.Y. 14607, (585) 428-7640

19th Ward Community Association
Address: 310 Arnett Blvd., Rochester NY, 14619
Phone #: (585) 328-6571
Website: www.19wca.org
Hours of operation: Tuesday – Friday, 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Coalition of Northeast Associations, Inc. (CONEA)
Address: 471 Hudson Ave., Rochester, N.Y. 14605
Phone #: (585) 325-1311
Website: https://conea2034.org/
Hours of operation: Monday – Friday, 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Children’s Institute, Inc.
Address: 274 N. Goodman St., Suite D103, Rochester, N.Y. 14607
Phone #: (585) 295-1000
Website: www.childrensinstitute.net
Hours of operation: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Common Ground Health
Address: 1150 University Ave., Bldg. #5, Rochester, N.Y. 14607
Phone #: (585) 224-3101
Website: https://www.commongroundhealth.org/
Hours of operation: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Connected Communities
Address: 1337 East Main St., Rochester, N.Y. 14609
Phone #: (585) 488-4887
Website: www.connectedcommunitiesroc.org
Hours of operation: Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Deaf Refugee Advocacy, Inc.
Address: 260 East Main St., Rochester, N.Y. 14604
Phone #: (585) 286-3440
Website: www.deafrefugeeadvocacy.org
Hours of operation:

• Thursday, June 23, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Friday, June, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Monday, June 26 – Thursday, June 29, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

EE Pathways
Address: 10 Cady St., Rochester, N.Y. 14608
Phone #: (585) 445-8222
Website: www.eepathways.us
Hours of operation: Monday – Thursday, 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Father Tracy Advocacy Center
Address: 821 North Clinton Ave., Rochester, N.Y. 14605
Phone #: (585) 563-7008
Website: https://www.fathertracycenter.org/
Hours of operation:

• Thursday, June 22, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Friday, June 23, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Saturday, June 24, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
• Sunday, June 25, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
• Monday, June 26, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 27, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 28, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Heels of Greatness, Inc.
Phone # (585) 488-4399
Website: www.HeelsofGreatness.com
Hours of operation:

• For a virtual appointment, call 585-488-4499, or schedule one online.
• Thursday, June 22, 3:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
• Friday, June 23, 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.
• Monday, June 26, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 27, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 28, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

IBERO Community Resource Center
Address: 216 Clifford Ave., Rochester, N.Y. 14621
Phone #: (585) 454-1430
Website: https://www.ibero.org/crc/
Hours of operation: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Urban League of Rochester, Inc.
Address: 265 N. Clinton Ave., Rochester, N.Y. 14605
Phone #: (585) 325-6530
Website: www.ulr.org
Hours of Operation: By appointment only, Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.