This special themed double issue is devoted to examining experiences of using immediate and unconditional cash transfers as a policy response to the socioeconomic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, and the potential impact of these experiences on the further development of cash transfer programmes generally and emergency basic income (EBI) policies more specifically.

The issue covers EBI-type policies as a pandemic response in specific countries and analyses lessons learned for their potential application as part of social protection strategies.  Finally, it discusses the implications and challenges in implementing such policies in the context of the need for institutionalized social protection systems and compliance with international social security standards.

First published in 1948, the International Social Security Review is the principal international quarterly publication in the field of social security. ISSA members have free access to the review.