Basic Income is not a new concept, but it's a controversial one. It guarantees a minimum level of income for every citizen. If you don't earn the minimum, the government tops you up to that level. Many economists believe that this method of welfare support is an easier, cheaper, and more dignified approach than what we currently use.
This is not our first experiment with Basic Income. For the five years between 1974 and 1979 Dauphin, Manitoba was using Basic Income. It was apparently a success, and the people didn't stop working to get a free hand out. In fact, it eliminated poverty and helped those at the bottom achieve a decent standard of living. http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/12/23/mincome-in-dauphin-manitoba_n_6335682.html