Cook County’s pilot guaranteed income program, which provided $500 per month to 3,250 low- and moderate-income residents, concluded its payment cycle at the start of 2025. The county is now preparing for a follow-up phase, having approved funding and begun designing the framework for what will become a second round of financial support.
Although the pilot program has ended, county officials have confirmed that preparations are ongoing for the next chapter of direct cash assistance. Residents have been invited to signal their interest via an online form, but officials caution that applications will not open until the program’s structure has been fully defined, something not expected until later in 2026.
Pilot Program Ends with Positive Results for Participants
The Cook County Promise Guaranteed Income Pilot launched its first round of payments in December 2022, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Selected through a randomized lottery from applicants during an open call in October 2022, the 3,250 participants received unconditional monthly payments of $500 over two years. According to data shared by Cook County in April 2025, the program appears to have achieved its objectives on several fronts.
According to the county’s findings, 75 percent of participants reported feeling more financially secure as a result of the assistance. Meanwhile, 94 percent experienced an unexpected financial emergency and stated that the payments allowed them to manage the situation. In addition to the economic impact, Cook County also reported emotional and psychological improvements among recipients: 56 percent noted a reduction in stress levels, and 70 percent said the program had a positive effect on their mental health.
The findings suggest that the benefits of guaranteed income extended beyond the immediate economic gains. As reported by Cook County, nearly three-quarters of participants believed that the program would continue to influence their lives positively even after the payments ended. These results played a role in driving local authorities to consider extending the initiative beyond its original pilot phase.
Second Phase under Development with No Application Timeline Yet
Following the conclusion of the pilot, the Cook County Board of Commissioners approved $7.5 million for a second round of guaranteed income payments as part of the 2026 fiscal budget. The announcement, made in November 2025, confirmed the county’s intention to build on the lessons learned from the first phase. According to statements from the Bureau of Economic Development, the next step is a program design phase that will define who qualifies, how the application process will function, and how the initiative will be managed.
Cook County officials have emphasized that this phase is still in the early stages. According to information provided by the county, the design process is not expected to be finalized until sometime in mid to late 2026. As a result, applications for the new phase will not open before that time. Interested residents have been encouraged to register through an official expression of interest form, which will allow them to receive updates directly once further details are confirmed.
The future of the guaranteed income initiative will likely depend not only on the outcomes of this design process but also on the broader public and political support it continues to receive. While the program’s long-term structure remains uncertain, Cook County’s move toward a second phase signals a continued commitment to exploring direct financial support as a viable social policy tool.
