A Basic Income is a periodic, unconditional cash payment, delivered to all on an individual basis, without means test or behavioural requirement.

Therefore a true Basic income has the following five characteristics:

1. Periodic: it is paid at regular intervals (for example every month), not as a one-off grant.

2. Cash payment: it is paid in an appropriate medium of exchange, allowing those who receive it to decide what they spend it on. It is not, therefore, paid either in kind (such as food or services) or in vouchers dedicated to a specific use.

3. Individual: it is paid on an individual basis – and not, for instance, based on a couple or household.

4. Universal: It is paid to all who are eligible, including children, without means test.

5. Unconditional: it is paid without any behavioural requirements. It is obligation-free.

The term ‘basic’ refers to the fact that it is a foundational income, or income floor, on which each can build with income from other sources. For example, it is compatible with the idea of Basic Income Plus which would include additional payments for additional needs, like meeting the costs caused by disability or sickness.

Some times people use other terms for Basic Income, such as: Citizen’s Basic Income, Citizen’s Income, Universal Basic Income (UBI), Social Dividend, or Universal Grant.