Why Cash

  • Direct cash transfers stand out as the most effective and respectful means of supporting the transgender community due to their ability to address individual needs and empower recipients to make decisions that best suit their circumstances. Unlike traditional forms of aid or assistance that may come with restrictions or predetermined allocations, direct cash transfers provide flexibility and autonomy to transgender individuals. This approach acknowledges the diverse challenges faced by the trans community, such as healthcare costs, legal gender affirmation expenses, and discrimination-related economic setbacks. By directly transferring funds, support is targeted and immediate, allowing individuals to prioritize their most pressing needs and navigate their unique paths toward well-being and self-determination.

    Cash transfers are exceptionally well-suited for trans mutual aid and support, aligning with the specific needs and challenges faced by the transgender community. The flexibility inherent in cash transfers allows recipients to allocate funds according to their unique circumstances, addressing critical needs such as healthcare, legal gender affirmation, and overcoming economic setbacks resulting from discrimination. This tailored approach recognizes the diverse experiences within the trans community and empowers individuals to prioritize their most pressing concerns.

    When individuals have the autonomy to spend money within their communities, it generates a multiplier effect, boosting local businesses and contributing to overall economic growth. Additionally, cash transfers are often more cost-effective to administer compared to the logistics involved in procuring, transporting, and distributing physical aid items. This efficiency allows a larger portion of the aid budget to reach the intended beneficiaries, maximizing the impact of the assistance.

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about the program

Our program is as low barrier as it can be, is application-free, and operates fully on a trust-based process. We only have two requirements, that 1. You live in Louisiana, and 2. You are trans. We define trans as anyone who has left a cis identity behind, inclusive on non-binary, gender non-conforming, fluid, and two-spirit folks. 

We do not ask for any documentation or proof, we just ask for two personal references to verify those requirements with. This is solely to ensure that our funds stay within the trans community of Louisiana.

How to request funds

Email operations@transincomeproject.org; do not text or message our personal phone numbers if you have them. DMs on Instagram are not routinely checked, and we cannot guarantee a response.

In your email, please include:

  • If you have been referred to TIP through mutual community or personally know of a mutual connection, please note that individual. We will not need two additional references in that case. However, we may still ask for two references.

  • The names, phone numbers, and instagrams if possible of your two references. These individuals will receive a text message to verify our two qualifications.

  • The amount you are requesting (what you need, would be helpful, or are trying to come up with). 

  • Employment status: Are you unemployed, or recently fired?

  • Housing status: Do you have a place to live? Are you living outside, in your car, in a shelter, or with a friend/family member? Are you facing eviction?

  • Food access: do you have access to sufficient food?

  • Outstanding urgent bills (utilities, medical, car, phone, court), debts, rents and associated fees.

  • Any urgent needs: food, medical emergency, medication access, safety emergency

Things we will not ask you to disclose, but can be included in your email: race, current or history of sex work, recent or past incarceration or detainment.