Bill > S07291

This bill establishes a Universal Basic Income (UBI) pilot program specifically for foster youth who age out of the system in 2026. The program will provide eligible participants with $1,000 monthly payments for three years, starting January 1, 2026, and ending December 31, 2029. The key innovation is that these monthly payments will not be counted as income when determining eligibility for other benefits like Medicaid, educational grants (including Pell Grants), veteran benefits, and state university financial aid. The Department of Social Services will administer the program and must partner with an independent research institution to track and report on participant outcomes. The reports will include detailed information about participants' initial income, employment status, housing situation, geographic location, and other relevant indicators. The goal is to improve economic security for transition-age youth who have aged out of the foster care system. The pilot program is set to automatically expire on January 1, 2031, allowing policymakers to evaluate its effectiveness and potentially make future policy decisions based on the collected data.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S7291