Connecticut — The Bridge Project, a pioneering guaranteed income program, today announced its expansion to Connecticut. This groundbreaking initiative will provide 500 pregnant individuals in the state with a guaranteed income, aiming to enhance economic stability and improve health outcomes for expectant mothers and their families.

Connecticut is second only to New York, The Bridge Project’s home state, in terms of inequality. One in four residents of the state are unable to meet their basic needs, more than 14 percent of children live in poverty and more than 15,000 babies are born into poverty each year. 

Connecticut is already home to the innovative CT Baby Bonds program, designed to build wealth by creating a $3,200 investment for babies born into poverty. It is anticipated that every recipient of The Bridge Project will also qualify for the baby bonds program, marking a first in the nation in providing a valuable opportunity to evaluate the synergistic effects of guaranteed income alongside wealth-building initiatives.

Applications will open on The Bridge Project’s website on Wednesday, October 2, with first payments scheduled for November 1, 2024. The $12 million investment will provide 500 pregnant individuals with an upfront, one-time prenatal stipend of $1,125. $750 monthly payments throughout pregnancy into the first 15 months of a baby’s life will be followed by 21 months of $375 payments. Robust research will be conducted by The Bridge Project’s in-house team, led by Vanessa Jaëlle Dor, MD, MMSc, DrPh candidate. Eligibility criteria for the program are as follows:

• 18 years or older

• 23 weeks or fewer in their pregnancy

• Reside anywhere in the state of Connecticut

• Have an annual household income of $44,000 or less

• No SSN or ITIN required

In addition to its new work in Connecticut, The Bridge Project has operations in New York and Wisconsin, supporting 1,300 babies to date. An expansion to an additional four states is slated by the end of 2024.