There are 5.3 million Americans who are poor by global standards, according to data from the World. Some countries, like Brazil and Mexico have tackled this problem by paying poor people.

In Brazil, the program "Bolsa Familia" gives poor families conditional cash transfers. Families are paid for things like going to school, getting good grades, and going to medical checkups. In Mexico, a similar program called "Oportunidades" gives aid to about 5.8 million families. According to Tina Rosenberg, "The research indicates that conditional cash transfer programs in Mexico and Brazil do keep people healthier, and keep kids in school." But, they aren't alone, 40 countries around the world have unfolded similar programs.

Similarly, a program called GiveDirectly gives poor people who live in developing countries money, with no strings attached. Despite some opposition to this method, and the false assumption that the money could be spent on things like alcohol, David Kestenbaum reports that organizers "don't see people spending money on alcohol and tobacco...Instead we see them investing in their kids' education, we see them investing in health care. They buy more and better food."

In the U.S., a conditional cash transfer program called Family Rewards, was tested in Memphis and the South Bronx. According to Chris Peak, participants said it was life changing. Unfortunately, the program was abruptly ended, and no similar program has been implemented.