The effectiveness of policies like the CERB (Canada Emergency Response Benefit) during the pandemic has raised the profile of basic income as a policy option. The goal in this briefing paper is to set out the key questions that must be answered in deciding whether and how to implement basic income, or any alternative social support policy. The message is that the design and implementation of a basic income policy requires careful, comprehensive, evidence-based consideration. The questions cover different topics, such as principles to define basic income, objectives, details of the program, eligibility conditions, amounts of the benefit, cost of the program, impact of the program on the economy and alternative programs with similar objectives.