What happened when people in this upstate New York town started getting monthly $500 checks

These anecdotes are exactly what I'd expect to hear from a program like this:

Data aside, researchers also wanted to collect anecdotes about the concrete effects on people's lives. One recipient said the assistance had allowed them to move out of a crowded house, others to simply afford rent and pay off bills. A mother reported being able to afford a nicer car in which to drive her children to school, making her feel like she was taking better care of them. Some were able to enjoy “small luxuries,” like taking a first vacation in years, or making small changes in lifestyle: A dive bartender said they could now work at a restaurant, doing “safer, earlier, hour-style bartending.”

Every time I hear about Universal Basic Income, it just sounds like a no-brainer to me. Better to distribute a bit of money to everyone so they can actually improve their lives than letting a few hoard all the money and hope that it trickles down.