On Wednesday (November 16), San Francisco announced a program offering guaranteed monthly income to transgender residents experiencing financial insecurity.
The program, known as the Guaranteed Income for Transgender People or G.I.F.T, will give eligible applicants $1,200 a month for 18 months, according to the Wednesday announcement by San Francisco Mayor London Breed.
Breed revealed “economically marginalized transgender people” would receive the “unrestricted” funds to “combat poverty.”
The program’s website gives more details about G.I.F.T., explaining that the program will prioritize the enrolment of certain demographics.
Priority will be given to black, indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC) who are “transgender, non-binary, gender non-conforming, and intersex people.”
Priority will also be given to those within the demographic who are homeless, disabled, or living with a chronic illness, are monolingual Spanish speakers, youth or elders, or are legally vulnerable because they are undocumented and participating in the sex trade or formerly incarcerated.
The guaranteed income will be given to 55 eligible candidates, who will receive “wrap around” services and support in addition to the funds.
These services and support will include gender-affirming mental health and medical care, special care services, financial coaching, and case management.
In a statement announcing the program, the latest in a string of programs San Francisco has released in recent years to assist the transgender community.
Breed explained, “trans communities experience much higher rates of poverty and discrimination.”
Those eligible for the income will also need to make less than $600 a month and be willing to submit a survey every three months.
