In March 2024, the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County (WDC) released results from a groundbreaking Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) pilot that paired flexible monthly stipends with personalized workforce support to advance economic mobility. The outcomes were striking: employment rose from 37% to 66%, savings among families with children increased from 0% to 42%, and participants reported lower financial stress, improved health, and stronger progress toward education and career goals. One year later, the work hasn’t stopped—it’s scaling. But a need for continued investment means the future is uncertain.

A $500 monthly boost led to significant employment growth, enhanced savings, improved debt management, and better quality of life for diverse King County residents facing poverty. The Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) Pilot, designed by the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County (WDC) and independently evaluated by Applied Inference, showed promising outcomes over its 10-month course.