Sacramento County · DCFAS Prevention Program
Family First Economic Support Pilot
A guaranteed income pilot for parents and guardians raising young children in six Sacramento County zip codes. It tests whether a steady, predictable monthly payment can help families stay stable and together.
About the program
What FFESP is
FFESP is funded mainly through a State Block Grant from the California Department of Social Services to Sacramento County’s Department of Child, Family and Adult Services, with some private funding added in. The county’s Comprehensive Prevention Plan was approved in April 2023, and the Board of Supervisors approved this guaranteed income pilot on March 12, 2024. United Way California Capital Region, which has run guaranteed income cohorts in Sacramento since 2021, was selected to administer it.
The goal is straightforward: give eligible families a reliable extra source of income, with the hope of improving child and family well-being and lowering the chance that a family ever comes into contact with the foster care system.
Eligibility
Who qualifies for FFESP
Every applicant had to meet all four conditions below.
- 1 Lives in an eligible zip codeOne of the six areas listed below.
- 2 Cares for a child age 0–5The child must live with the parent or legal guardian at least half the time. Only one application per household.
- 3 Household income under 200% of the federal poverty levelBased on gross income from all household members; government benefits aren’t counted.
- 4 Not enrolled in another guaranteed income programImmigration status has no effect on eligibility. Families of any status were welcome to apply.
| Household size | Annual income limit (200% FPL) |
|---|---|
| 2 people (1 adult, 1 child) | $40,880 |
| 3 people | $51,640 |
| 4 people | $62,400 |
| 5 people | $73,160 |
| 6 people | $83,920 |
| 7 people | $94,680 |
| 8 people | $105,440 |
Add $10,760 for each person beyond eight.
Frequently asked questions
FAQs about payments, benefits, and research
How are FFESP participants selected?+
Applications closed March 30, 2025. Research partner MEF Associates used a random number generator to make the initial selection, and United Way staff then verified eligibility and held a benefits counseling session before formally enrolling each participant. If someone turned out to be ineligible or withdrew, another applicant was drawn the same way until 200 participants were enrolled.
How and when are payments made?+
Enrolled families chose either a debit card or a SAFE Credit Union Freedom checking account, which carries no monthly fees and includes access to more than 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs. Payments arrive on the 15th of each month. The first payment went out June 15, 2025, and the last is scheduled for May 15, 2026.
Can payments be stopped early?+
Payments stop only if a family permanently moves out of state or is later found not to meet the program’s eligibility criteria. There’s no extra paperwork required to stay enrolled, and the optional monthly check-in call from United Way staff can be declined at any time.
Does this affect CalFresh, CalWORKs, or other benefits?+
No. The California Department of Social Services has confirmed guaranteed income payments do not count against CalWORKs or CalFresh eligibility. FFESP also does not affect Tribal TANF, SHRA housing subsidies, subsidized childcare through DHA for CalWORKs participants, or WIC for families also receiving CalWORKs, CalFresh, or Medi-Cal. The added income could still affect eligibility for benefits not listed here, so participants are encouraged to monitor their other benefits.
Is the payment taxable?+
DCFAS has determined the payments are non-taxable, though participants are encouraged to confirm this with a tax preparer. A letter of participation is available for that purpose.
Is the pilot part of a research study?+
Yes. MEF Associates, an independent and IRB-approved research team, is studying how guaranteed income affects participating families over time. Beyond the mandatory baseline survey completed at application, further participation (follow-up surveys, voluntary snapshot surveys every other month, and optional storytelling) is entirely voluntary. No report or written material will ever identify a participant by name.
Who can I contact with questions?+
For program questions, contact Kirt Lewis, UWCCR Guaranteed Income Program Manager, at kirt.lewis@uwccr.org. For research questions, contact the MEF Associates research team at SacramentoGIstudy@mefassociates.com. For research concerns, contact the DCFAS Director at dcfasdirector@saccounty.gov.