As for why that is, poverty is partly about mindset and decision making, but all of that is strongly influenced by the effects of being in a financially precarious situation and being around others who are. Just knowing that you aren’t at risk of your life falling apart because of relatively minor problems makes an enormous difference and allows people practically and psychologically to think beyond the short term and not get taken advantage of financially.
UBI pilot programs give a lot of evidence to the contrary
No, they don’t.
Yes, there is empirical evidence that giving people money directly is effective, just denying it doesn’t refute that: https://ubiadvocates.org/9-successful-ubi-pilot-programs-that-will-change-your-views-on-free-money/
As for why that is, poverty is partly about mindset and decision making, but all of that is strongly influenced by the effects of being in a financially precarious situation and being around others who are. Just knowing that you aren’t at risk of your life falling apart because of relatively minor problems makes an enormous difference and allows people practically and psychologically to think beyond the short term and not get taken advantage of financially.