St. Louis is giving some families $500 a month. So far, it's helped them pay off debt and their bills, the city says.

• St. Louis is distributing $500 monthly to 540 families as part of a guaranteed basic income pilot.
• City Treasurer Adam Layne said the program is helping recipients pay off debts and bills.
• Layne said the city is working with researchers to measure the program's long-term success.

The city of St. Louis is giving out $500 a month to 540 families, and in just three months recipients say it's helped them pay off debts and their bills.