Written testimony to the Committee on Children — HB 6841: An Act Concerning the Establishment of a Universal Basic Income Pilot Program
Representative Paris, Senator Maher, Representative Welander, Senator Cohen, Representative Dauphinais, Senator Martin, and distinguished members of the Committee,
My name is Sarah Blanton and I am the CEO of 4-CT, a Connecticut-based nonprofit dedicated to providing targeted direct cash assistance to individuals and families facing financial hardship. Since our founding in 2020, we have seen firsthand how flexible financial assistance resolves emergencies, stabilizes families, and ensures safety in communities across the state. And it does so in a manner that fosters dignity and autonomy for recipients.
We appreciate the General Assembly’s commitment to addressing economic insecurity and we commend HB 6841’s intent to explore cash assistance programs aimed at supporting children and families. However, we urge legislators to consider the work already happening throughout the state and our efforts to ensure benefits protection for individuals in existing and upcoming programs. Additionally, we would ask legislators to reconsider the “universal basic income” terminology used in this bill. It’s simply misleading.
The Impact of Direct Cash Assistance in CT & Need for Benefits Protection
Direct cash assistance programs have been, and are being, successfully implemented in our state. 4-CT has provided $8 million in unrestricted cash aid to more than 41,000 individuals across Connecticut, empowering them with same-day resources to meet their basic needs while investing in their futures. We partner with the Department of Public Health, the Cities of Hartford and New Haven, Connecticut Children’s and Yale New Haven Hospital’s hospital-based violence intervention programs and numerous community-based organizations to provide cash assistance to improve outcomes for at-risk individuals, victims of domestic violence or gun violence, and individuals coming home from incarceration. Our programs range from one-time assistance, to repeated, reliable cash transfers depending on the community needs.
We are joined in this work by our friends at the CT Urban Opportunity Collaborative, The Bridge Project, and numerous other organizations who have or are planning cash transfer programs to address poverty, food and housing insecurity, and reduce economic volatility.
The impact of direct cash assistance is clear:
People use funds responsibly—whether to cover rent, pay medical bills, buy groceries, or pursue educational and employment opportunities.
Stability leads to economic mobility—short-term assistance helps individuals avoid cycles of crisis, allowing them to focus on longer-term goals.
A strong return on investment—cash assistance strengthens families and local economies as recipients spend money on their households and essential goods and services in their communities.
The most important next steps are to (1) expand on the scope and availability of these programs and (2) build upon the efforts to protect benefits that recipients of cash assistance may already receive.
Clarifying the Language: Moving Away from "Universal Basic Income"
While HB 6841 takes a step toward expanding cash assistance, we believe it is critical to distinguish between targeted, flexible direct cash assistance and the term "Universal Basic Income" (UBI). The term UBI has faced significant political and public pushback, often misconstrued as a form of socialism. This is simply not that. This appears to be a strategically designed, targeted program for a limited number of individuals. It is hardly universal.
To that end, we encourage legislators to reframe the conversation around flexible, needs-based cash assistance — programs that directly support working families, low-income individuals, and historically marginalized populations without invoking misleading or polarizing terminology.
Supporting Flexible, Targeted Assistance to Build a Stronger Connecticut
4-CT strongly supports efforts to expand access to direct, flexible cash assistance for vulnerable Connecticut residents. This approach is a proven, research-backed strategy to:
Reduce poverty and economic instability
Empower individuals to make the best choices for their families
Foster long-term economic self-sufficiency
At 4-CT, we have seen how unrestricted financial support gives people the freedom to make decisions that best serve their immediate needs and longer-term aspirations, providing stability in moments of crisis and positioning individuals and families for future success.
We urge the General Assembly to prioritize direct, flexible cash assistance programs that are timely, equitable and impactful, but to do so with clear, effective language that ensures broad support and long-term viability. We welcome the opportunity to work with lawmakers to shape policies that reflect the success of existing initiatives and create a more stable future for Connecticut families.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Sarah Blanton, CEO
