Universal basic income

Cities around the country have been using some of their COVID relief funding to pilot guaranteed income programs. Cambridge is the first to expand it to all eligible families.

Most guaranteed income programs are geared at disadvantaged populations. These are tied to people's work.

We're learning more about what happens when the government gives people money without conditions.

José Quiñonez says a targeted, data-driven system will help us during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

"If people don't have money in their pockets, then this type of economy that we have can't work," says Wharton professor Mauro Guillén.

Amid the wreckage of 2020, are there opportunities to fix what was already broken, including the system of human relationships we call the economy?

"You just get a much bigger fiscal bang for the buck," says Mark Blyth, the economics professor and author of "Angrynomics."

Americans earning up to $75,000 are about to receive $1,200. Could this be the future?

"Americans need cash now," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says at a press conference.

Supporters of the pilot program say it's a step toward economic equality.