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How to improve participation in social assistance programs

Author

Listed:
  • David Ribar

    (Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, Australia, and IZA, Germany)

Abstract

Social assistance programs are intended to improve people's well-being. However, that goal is undermined when eligible people fail to participate. Reasons for non-participation can include inertia, lack of information, stigma, the time and "hassle" associated with applications and program compliance, as well as some programs' non-entitlement status. Differences in participation across programs, and over time, indicate that take-up rates can respond both positively and negatively to policy change. However, there are clearly very identifiable ways in which relevant agencies can improve take-up.

Suggested Citation

  • David Ribar, 2014. "How to improve participation in social assistance programs," IZA World of Labor, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), pages 104-104, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izawol:journl:y:2014:n:104
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rajagopal, 2014. "The Human Factors," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Architecting Enterprise, chapter 9, pages 225-249, Palgrave Macmillan.
    2. Moffitt, Robert, 1983. "An Economic Model of Welfare Stigma," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 73(5), pages 1023-1035, December.
    3. Virginia Hernanz & Franck Malherbet & Michele Pellizzari, 2004. "Take-Up of Welfare Benefits in OECD Countries: A Review of the Evidence," OECD Social, Employment and Migration Working Papers 17, OECD Publishing.
    4. Jeffrey Grogger, 2002. "The Behavioral Effects of Welfare Time Limits," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 92(2), pages 385-389, May.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Tedds, Lindsay M. & Crisan, I. Daria & Petit, Gillian, 2020. "Basic Income in Canada: Principles and Design Features," MPRA Paper 105911, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Barbara Broadway & Tessa LoRiggio & Chris Ryan & Anna Zhu, 2022. "Literature review on the impact of welfare policy design on children and youth," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(4), pages 809-840, September.
    4. Gray, Colin, 2019. "Leaving benefits on the table: Evidence from SNAP," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    social assistance; program participation; administration;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs

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