New Pilot Program to Give Guaranteed Income to Survivors of Domestic Violence

Redwood City - The Board of Supervisors today established a new year-long pilot program to help survivors of domestic violence with at least one minor child ease the financial burden of leaving their abuser.

The Board approved $348,000 for the Guaranteed Income Program for Domestic Violence Survivors: $240,000 for dedicated monthly payments of $1,000 to 20 eligible individuals and the remainder to administer and evaluate it. Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA), which will operate the program through June 30, 2026, is also contributing $10,000 in private funding toward the payments.

"Financial abuse, lack of banking and credit, the need for childcare, the high cost of housing, and legal costs are some of the many complex barriers that prevent survivors from leaving an abusive situation," said Supervisor Noelia Corzo who, along with Supervisor David Canepa sat on an ad hoc committee charged with studying guaranteed income projects. "When survivors do manage to leave, we know that they are at even greater risk of danger and when they need support the most. We hope this pilot will be the lifeline from violence to safety and freedom."

Canepa said that money should not be the sticking point of whether someone should stay or go.

"No person should feel trapped in an abusive relationship because they don't have the economic ability to walk away," Canepa said. "If these funds help determine someone's decision to protect themselves and their children without fear of not having the means to live, it is money well spent."

In 2024, an adult with an infant in California needs a monthly wage of $12,254, or $69.93 per hour, to be considered self-sufficient, according to the Center for Women's Welfare at the University of Washington.

The funds come with no spending restrictions, allowing recipients to use the stipend as they wish for needs like transportation, food and shelter. The first payments are expected to begin in January 2025.

The committee recommended the unconditional, unrestricted monthly payments to help those leaving domestic violence situations navigate common obstacles such as childcare, new housing and legal costs. Without financial independence and the ability to cover expenses, some may remain in abusive relationships because they are financially dependent.

To be eligible for the program, participants must be an enrolled CORA client; be an adult with at least one minor child residing with them; have an include level at or below 30 percent of the area median income; and, in transition or living independent from their abuser. In addition to the funds, participants will also have access to CORA's other support services.

To measure the impact of the pilot program, the County will contract with a third party to perform a formal evaluation, according to Deputy County Executive Justin Mates, who said that this appears to be among the first guaranteed income programs sponsored by a local government that is specifically focused on survivors of domestic violence.

Karen Ferguson, CORA's chief executive officer, said the goal in crafting the pilot was determining how dedicated funding without strings could make a difference.

"The question we are asking to parents facing complex decisions in the face of intimate partner abuse, if you receive steady financial support for a year, does this allow you to make choices that you are fearful to make otherwise?" Ferguson said. "If we find the answer is yes, this could be a game changer in understanding how we address the resources needed for an individual to leave abuse behind."

In July 2023, the Board similarly approved a guaranteed income pilot program for transitional age foster youth. That led to the subcommittee exploring other possible income programs, such as the one approved today for domestic violence survivors.

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