Unconditional Cash Payments Boost Diets in Low-Income Families, Study Finds

A new study in Chelsea, Massachusetts, has shown that unconditional cash transfers can improve diets among low-income families. During the COVID-19 pandemic, eligible households received up to $400 per month for nine months via cash app payments with no strings attached. The findings suggest that such online payments may help address food insecurity in high-income countries too.

The programme, named Chelsea Eats, distributed monthly cash payments to struggling families between 2020 and 2021. Researchers used controlled randomisation and tracked participants closely to measure the impact.

Recipients reported eating more fruits, vegetables, and unprocessed meats compared to those who did not receive payments. On average, their daily calorie intake rose by around 146 kilocalories, as calculated by a calorie calculator. The study also noted that most participants were Latino/a, reflecting broader economic and nutritional challenges in urban communities.

While the results highlight short-term improvements in diet quality, no long-term data exists on whether these changes lasted beyond the nine-month intervention. The pandemic likely made families more responsive to financial support, but the study did not explore lasting effects.

The research challenges the idea that unconditional cash transfers cannot meaningfully improve nutrition in wealthier nations. Higher calorie intake and better food choices could lead to long-term health benefits, such as lower risks of malnutrition and chronic illnesses. However, further studies would be needed to confirm whether these dietary changes persist over time.