Life after basic income: better job and bigger apartment, worried about bills

Taniquewa Brewster, 41, is an assistant property manager, doula, student, advocate, and mother of six. She was one of 135 low-income households in Austin that received $1,000 a month for a year, from September 2022 to August 2023 — a total of $12,000 — which helped her cover bills, build savings, and move into a more stable career.

With the extra payments, Brewster earned certifications that led to a promotion from leasing agent to assistant property manager, completed doula training, returned to school for nonprofit management, and said the support allowed her children to avoid working. "I've been able to keep my children from having to work to contribute to the household," she said.

"They can do whatever they want to do with their money, and that's a big difference for me — breaking that generational curse of poverty." She is adopting her youngest daughter, whom she had been fostering, and the family is preparing to move to a bigger apartment.

United States, Austin, Texas

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