Meet a Mom of Two Who Received $1,000 a Month from a Basic-Income Programme

• Kimberly McNair receives $1,000 per month through a basic income program for one year. 
• The program currently supports 100 low-income Black mothers in Jackson (Mississippi), 
• Most basic income programs are designed to help people who are more likely to be in poverty.

Kimberly McNair didn’t know what she would do if she was in a car wreck last year. 

McNair, 35 years old, didn’t have any car insurance. McNair’s car was totaled. Without insurance, she was forced to pay for a brand new car out of her own pockets. She suddenly found herself in a financial bind for two cars. 

Insider spoke out to say that she needs a car to get to work, pick up groceries and take the kids to school. “So that didn’t leave me with a lot other options.” 

McNair was able to participate in the Magnolia Mother’s Trust program, which provides $1,000 a month for 100 low-income Black mothers in Jackson, Mississippi. Magnolia is currently on its third cohort and has been giving money since 2018. It is funded by a combination individual and institutional donors. 

Magnolia and other basic-income programs have seen an increase in popularity over recent years, particularly as the pandemic has ravaged the world. causedFinancial strain for many households with low incomes Insider reportedBy 2021, there were at most 33 active basic-income programs in the US.

Basic-income programs are different than traditional welfare programs in that they don’t require recipients to report their use of the money. 

Magnolia is a program that targets low-income members of groups that often face financial hardship. California is one example. providesPrograms that assist pregnant women and young adults leaving foster care. Another programMinnesota’s St. Paul provides financial support for parents affected by the pandemic. 

“The reason the Magnolia Mother’s Trust is focused on Black mothers in extreme poverty is for several reasons — including the facts“These statistics show that Black children and women are more likely to be poor than any other group,” Aisha Nyandoro, who runs Magnolia, told Insider. “It is impossible to talk about economic justice if you don’t account for race or gender. Yet, so many of our economic policies fail that to reflect that.”

McNair stated that the Magnolia funds helped her pay for her vehicle and also paid rent, groceries, as well as supplies for her children. It’s also helping her to pay off medical debt from past health issues, which is vital. 

McNair said that “people struggle every day even though they have full-time work.” McNair said, “It’s not enough to be able do everything all by yourself. So money is a huge help. 

McNair was able to replace her car with a basic income and pay off medical debt. 

McNair has been receiving $1,000 from Magnolia every month for the past one year. She said that the funds have been essential in helping her to get a car, pay medical bills, as well as pay for her sons’ youth football league. 

McNair, who works in the local unemployment office, earns about $36,000 per year. Prior to this gig, McNair was working in a call center earning $30,000. She’s made enough money to support her family and her two children, but unexpected medical bills cost her her life. 

“I was sick a few times last yea, so I went to the hospital and stayed overnight. She said that she had episodes of illness and didn’t know why. She also stated that she owes $6,000 in medical bills. 

She stated that Magnolia’s money helped to cover many of her family’s costs. She pays for groceries with food stamps, but cash from the basic-income program means that her family has more options — and that her kids can have more than one serving of food more often.

McNair stated that Magnolia allows her budget to pay for after-school activities for her boys. They are both interested in football so she can use the funds for equipment and registration. 

She said, “The children grow so much.” “You buy clothes and then the next week they’re too small.” Just making sure that they have enough, like a decent pair of shoes and school supplies, the money goes a long way… kids don’t want to feel like they don’t have a life, people need an extra boost to make sure kids are able to eat out once a month and do something special, to show them that they’re appreciated.”