“Before I received the payment I was stressed thinking about my lights being cut off and what that would mean for my family. When I got the check in my hands it was a burden lifted off of my shoulders.”
- CS Direct Recipient
*Shared with permission
About CS Direct
CS Direct was a disaster relief program started by Community Spring as part of its Grassroots COVID-19 Recovery campaign. From June through October 2020, we provided one-time $300 payments to 128 low-income households to help them through these difficult times. 100% of donations went directly to randomly selected recipients. Payments were made without restrictions, ensuring that recipients kept their sense of agency and the power to improve their lives in the way they see fit.
Why DIRECT cash relief
This pandemic has been especially devastating for our low-income neighbors and communities of color. Results from our recent survey made two things clear: economic resilience is low and needs are diverse.
Economic resilience is a person’s ability to withstand and recover from an economic shock. This concept is critical for understanding the challenges of living paycheck to paycheck. Our research showed that nearly half of low-income households in Alachua County were not confident that they could come up with $400 for an unexpected expense. This clearly demonstrates that many of our neighbors don’t have the resilience to handle an economic shock like COVID-19.
Our research also showed that the economic impact of COVID-19 showed up in many different ways. Some people were falling behind on the rent, while others couldn’t afford their car payments. The people facing these challenges are in the best position to determine what would be most helpful to them. Direct, unrestricted cash assistance allows them to do just that. This is not just our view, but is also supported by a number of leading foundations and nonprofits around the country. For more information, please see the links below:
Medium article on the shift towards cash in philanthropy.
GiveDirectly has raised over $118 million which will be distributed to SNAP recipients as $1000 cash grants.
GiveTogetherNow has raised over $100 million which will be distributed to low-income households as $500 cash grants.
See here and here for examples of the research on the benefits of direct cash transfers, including that recipients overwhelmingly spend the money responsibly (no, they don’t just spend it on drugs and alcohol).
Report Back on CS Direct
Between June and October 2020, Community Spring raised $38,400 and distributed $300 checks to 128 Alachua County residents who received SNAP benefits (food stamps). Every month, depending on how much money was raised, applicants were randomly selected, verified, and hand-delivered a check with no stings attached. Recipients also received a voluntary survey to provide feedback on the experience. Of the people who participated in the survey, 77% reported feeling that direct cash assistance without restrictions increased their power to make the best decisions for their households. Many reported splitting the payment to cover multiple bills, especially things that they normally couldn’t get help with. 82% felt decreased stress about making ends meet that month. While everyone was grateful for assistance, we received repeated feedback that $300 was not enough to significantly increase many people’s economic stability. Several people recommended payments be increased to $600. For more details on the results of this program, please see our report.
“Right now my wife works and attends school, but I have not been able to find work, though I am searching diligently. Before I received the payment I would get angry at my children when they asked for different things. I felt that they should understand my position. They are only children, however, and it falls on me when they go without. After getting the check I do not mind when the kids ask for things because I have been able to meet their needs. I was able to choose what to purchase according to my preferences and priorities. This was great. I still have $27 left.””