A new AI-driven system is changing the way disaster relief goes to those most in need in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Using this innovative approach the nonprofit organization GiveDirectly has begun distributing $1,000 cash payments to approximately 1,000 households in severely impacted areas of Florida and North Carolina.
The organization employs an AI tool developed by Google to precisely identify areas where high poverty rates intersect with substantial storm damage. The tool uses satellite imagery to detect flooding and roof damage, overlaying this information with poverty data to target assistance effectively.
Recipients are notified of their eligibility through Propel, an electronic benefits transfer application that manages SNAP benefits. The first wave of payments started Friday, with funds being distributed through the app’s virtual debit card system.
Dustin Palmer, who oversees GiveDirectly’s U.S. programs, explained to CBS MoneyWatch that the $1,000 payment amount was chosen specifically to provide meaningful assistance. “The amount is enough to help people get out of the house if they need to, and get supplies,” Palmer said.
Impact and Effectiveness
The program’s efficiency stems from its streamlined approach, which removes traditional application burdens while empowering recipients to address their most pressing needs. This is particularly significant given that more than 37,000 conventional insurance claims have been rejected in Florida alone.
Laura Keen, a senior program manager at the company, emphasized that their method delivers aid “in as streamlined and dignified a way as possible.” The approach represents a significant advancement from GiveDirectly’s initial disaster relief efforts in 2017 during Hurricanes Harvey and Maria, which required in-person enrollment and weeks of processing.
Research supports the effectiveness of cash-based assistance. The Center for Guaranteed Income Research, which has tracked spending across 9,000 participants in various guaranteed income programs, found that recipients primarily use the funds for essential needs such as retail goods, food, groceries, and transportation.
Challenges and Future Developments
While the program offers rapid assistance, it faces certain limitations. The reliance on smartphone access and the Propel app means some potential recipients might be excluded. Currently, Propel serves approximately 5 million of the 41 million people enrolled in SNAP benefits.
“We are aware of limitations of that and we’re comfortable with the trade-off of having really high confidence that people are low-income and ready to receive the money right away. We are privileging that speed is of the essence in time of disaster,” said Palmer.
GiveDirectly is actively raising funds for additional rounds of aid and plans to expand into disaster preparedness programs. These initiatives would provide households with funds before disasters strike, enabling them to fortify their homes or evacuate when necessary.
The organization’s current campaign has secured $1.2 million, including a $300,000 contribution from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. Meanwhile, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has increased its Serious Needs Assistance payments to $770, though the agency faces its own challenges with only 9 percent of staff available for post-hurricane assistance. To be eligible for the assistance households still have to undergo an application process.
Chris Smith, a former FEMA official, noted that while government agencies could benefit from similar technological tools, they must maintain strict accountability standards in providing assistance to individuals.
(Image by FEMA/Bill Koplitz)
