This is an as-told-to essay based on a conversation with Lira Campbell, a 62-year-old widow in Hudson, New York who is receiving $500 monthly for five years from the town's basic income program. Before Hudson's basic income program, I was — like most Americans — living paycheck to paycheck, doing the best you can. I know the journey of somebody being diagnosed like that can be long, and it's going to take a lot. You know how sometimes you don't know you need help until you need help? AdvertisementOne of the things that was amazing to me about the program is that the money is no strings attached.

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Persons: Lira Campbell, I'm Locations: Hudson , New York