Study of Basic Income Guarantee Plus Usual Treatment Versus Usual Treatment Alone for Adults 18 to 35 Living With HIV and Financial Hardship

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effects of providing a Basic Income Guarantee BIG alongside Treatment as Usual compared to Treatment as Usual alone in young adults living with HIV who have experienced financial hardships and interruptions in their HIV care. This randomized trial aims to determine whether receiving a monthly cash transfer improves care engagement and viral suppression over time among individuals aged 18 to 35 years with HIV. The study is sponsored by the University of Chicago and involves a total of 304 participants. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups the BIG Treatment as Usual group or the Treatment as Usual group. Those in the BIG group receive 500 monthly payments for 18 months via reloadable gift cards without any conditions attached. All participants complete a baseline survey and follow-up surveys every six months for 36 months, with viral load testing at baseline, 12 months, and 18 months. The BIG group also completes social network surveys and a subset participates in qualitative interviews to explore their experiences. Participants will provide access to their medical records for data on viral load and care engagement from 18 months before baseline through 36 months after enrollment. Surveys assess financial security, health, housing, employment, and social services use. Viral load testing can occur at research facilities or by providing recent results. Follow-up includes regular surveys and interviews for some participants. The total study duration is 36 months, during which researchers monitor HIV care outcomes and social impacts of the intervention.

BIG Chicago: A Trial of Basic Income Guarantee for Young People Living With HIV