A recently launched guaranteed income initiative known as the California Abundant Birth Project is offering monthly unconditional cash payments to pregnant women identified as being at high risk of preterm birth.
The program provides stimulus checks ranging from $616 to $1,000 per month, varying according to the county where the participant resides. These payments are intended to be distributed over a span of 12 to 18 months.
According to reporting by The Sun, this approach is designed to provide unrestricted financial support directly to recipients, with the goal of supporting healthier pregnancy and birth outcomes through economic assistance.
How the California Abundant Birth Project Operates
The program serves pregnant women residing in four California counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, and Riverside.
The monthly payment amounts differ by county: recipients in Alameda receive $967, Contra Costa residents get $1,000, Los Angeles beneficiaries receive $807, and Riverside participants receive $616. These payments are unconditional, meaning recipients can use the funds as they see fit to meet their needs.
Eligible applicants are selected through an automated system called the Abundance Drawing, which randomly picks participants from among confirmed eligible applicants for the stimulus checks program. At the time of this drawing, women must be between 8 and 27 weeks pregnant to qualify.
Eligibility Requirements for Participation
There are five key eligibility criteria for the program:
- Residency: Applicants must live in one of the four eligible counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, or Riverside.
- Pregnancy stage: Women must be between 8 and 27 weeks pregnant at the time of the Abundance Drawing.
- Income limits: Income restrictions vary by county, with maximum allowable incomes as follows:
- Alameda: $128,017
- Contra Costa: $132,360
- Los Angeles: $106,911
- Riverside: $81,581
- Risk factors for preterm birth: Participants must identify with one or more of these conditions:
- Being Black or African American
- Having a previous preterm birth (before 37 weeks)
- Preexisting hypertension or diabetes before the current pregnancy
- Sickle cell anemia
- Program exclusivity: Applicants cannot participate in another guaranteed income program simultaneously while enrolled in the California Abundant Birth Project.
Payment Distribution and Enrollment Status
Women selected in the Abundance Drawing receive a prepaid debit card that is reloaded on the 30th of each month with the appropriate payment amount.
This method ensures timely and convenient access to funds.
As of the latest update, the project has successfully enrolled 850 mothers and pregnant women. While applications are currently closed, interested individuals can monitor the program’s official website for future enrollment opportunities.
Evidence Supporting Unconditional Cash Payments During Pregnancy
The stimulus checks program is grounded in research demonstrating the positive impact of unconditional cash transfers on pregnancy outcomes.
A study conducted in Manitoba, Canada, found that providing unconditional payments to pregnant women resulted in a 17.5% reduction in preterm births and a 21% decrease in low birth weight infants.
These findings suggest that direct financial support during pregnancy can help improve maternal health and infant birth outcomes.
