Birmingham gave single mothers $375 monthly for a year, no strings attached. Participants felt more financially stable, but 'losing the money hurt.'

• Birmingham's guaranteed basic income program gave 110 single mothers $375 a month.
• The program aimed to alleviate poverty for single mothers and help them afford bills and childcare.
• Participants were more financially stable during the pilot, but felt "hopeless" after.

Birmingham, Alabama's guaranteed basic income program was the support some single mothers needed to get by.

"I can work knowing that she's safe, she's cared for, and when I get off she's happy to see me," one participant, who was able to keep a full-time job because she spent basic income on day care for her preschooler, told program researchers.