Just Income Program FAQs
Who is eligible for the Just Income Program?
Participants are randomly selected from eligible applicants to receive $800 monthly for twelve months. Payments are unconditional, with no strings attached.
To qualify, applicants must be Alachua County residents and meet the following criteria during the period of December 4, 2024, through December 3, 2025:
Released from a Florida state prison.
Released from a federal prison.
Released from a Florida county jail with a felony conviction.
Began felony probation in Alachua County.
There are no restrictions based on conviction type, length of incarceration, or income level. Proof of Alachua County residency is required.
When is the application open?
Applications are accepted from November 12 through December 3, 2025.
How are eligible applicants notified?
Most eligible applicants will receive a letter from us with a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to move forward in the process. If you are eligible but do not have a PIN, please call us at (352) 339-9393.
What are acceptable forms of county residency proof?
You must provide one of the following documents to confirm your Alachua County residency:
Valid Florida driver’s license or ID card.
Current Florida voter registration card.
HRC Community ID.
Current deed, mortgage, or monthly mortgage statement.
Current residential rental or lease agreement.
Verification of homelessness form.
Utility bill or hookup in your name (dated within the last two months).
Mail from a financial institution (e.g., checking, savings, or investment account statements, dated within the last two months).
Mail from a federal, state, county, or municipal government agency (dated within the last two months).
How are participants selected?
Participants are chosen through a purely random lottery drawing from the pool of all eligible applicants. The final number of participants selected is determined by the amount of funding available at the time of the drawing.
What is the onboarding process?
After random selection, participants are contacted to schedule an onboarding appointment. They meet with staff to discuss the program’s purpose and logistics.
How will this guaranteed income be studied?
Participants may be invited to complete optional surveys or interviews during the program. Participation in research does not affect payments.
What can the money be used for?
Anything! Payments are unconditional, with no reporting or restrictions. People are the experts in their own lives and should be allowed to make their own decisions.
How do recipients receive the money?
Payments are disbursed via GiveCard, usable anywhere major cards are accepted or for cash withdrawals (per card terms).
What if a participant can no longer receive their disbursements?
If a participant cannot continue receiving funds, payments can be transferred to a designated beneficiary of their choice.
Is this money a gift?
Yes. Payments are provided by Community Spring, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and funded by donors. As gifts, they are not taxable income and require no exchange of goods or services.
Who knows who is an applicant and/or participant?
Only program staff and partners. Participation is private and confidential.
Together, we can end the cycle of poverty and mass incarceration.
Mass incarceration is both a cause and effect of poverty. Community Spring is responding by expanding access to income, advocating for policy change, and shifting harmful narratives.