I get $500 monthly from a basic income program. The money helped me get through my husband's cancer diagnosis.

Lira Campbell will get $500 a month for 5 years from a basic income program in New York. "We have to put everybody on a fair playing field," she said.

• Lira Campbell is getting $500 a month for 5 years from HudsonUP, a basic income program in New York.
• She was selected for the basic income pilot after learning her husband had cancer.
• She said the no-strings-attached money gave her room to breathe.

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. It has been edited for length and clarity.

Before Hudson's basic income program, I was — like most Americans — living paycheck to paycheck, doing the best you can. I had a little bit extra, but not enough to save, not enough to do anything. I'm a retired educator, and my husband was retired, so we were OK.

Then, in August 2020, my husband came home and told me that he was diagnosed with cancer. I know the journey of somebody being diagnosed like that can be long, and it's going to take a lot. It's going to take a lot of emotions. It's going to take a lot mentally. It's going to just take a lot out of you as a human being. And then I said, "Oh my God, the bills."

Later, I saw an announcement about "$500 a month for five years." I thought it had to be a scam. And even if it was real, they would probably be asking 20 questions. Ain't nobody got time for that. So I didn't pay it no mind.

A couple of days later, I saw it was the last day to apply and I asked myself if I should do it. My mind said, "Why not? Just look." It was three or four questions, nothing too personal.

So, when I got the phone call that I was accepted to the program, the first thing I thought was, "God, thank you." I was so grateful. And then I got that sense of relief because I knew financially that was one area I didn't have to focus on, and I could take that energy and put it on my husband. I would be able to sleep at night. I had this sort of peace knowing that I wouldn't have to worry about paying for his medical care and not having enough to pay for something else.

That's pretty much where the journey began, and I was just so grateful. It came at a time when it was so needed. You know how sometimes you don't know you need help until you need help? That's how it was for me. I had no clue that I needed this help until I got it. What a blessing. I don't have to ask anybody for anything. I don't have to play a pitiful person to get what I need. I am a strong Black woman who was dealing with her spouse who was terminally ill.

We have to put everybody on a fair playing field. Everybody should be able to go to bed at night knowing that they can pay their rent, they can put food on the table, they can put gas in their car, they can pay whatever bills they have, and still have a little bit left over if they want to go to the movies.

One of the things that was amazing to me about the program is that the money is no strings attached. Because in this country, if the government gives you anything, they want to know where it's going and how you spend it. I do whatever I want. It sustains me. It helps me keep food on the table and pay rent. I don't do anything big or fancy. If I want to invest or save, I have options and choices, and that's freedom. Everyone should have that.