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Customized Cash Transfers: Financial Lives and Cash-flow Preferences in Rural Kenya

Author

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  • Carolina Kansikas
  • Anandi Mani
  • Paul Niehaus

Abstract

We examine the preferences of low-income households in Kenya over the structure of unconditional cash transfers. We find, first, that most preferred lumpy transfers, and some preferred deferred receipt—unlike the structures typical of safety-net programs, but consistent with evidence on the financial challenges of poverty. Second, modest deferral of transfers increased income 1.5 years later. Finally, small changes in cash flow around the time of decision-making about transfer structure affected demand for deferral, with large downstream consequences. Taken together, these results illustrate how adapting cash transfer design to the decision-making environment of those in poverty could improve financial choices and outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Carolina Kansikas & Anandi Mani & Paul Niehaus, 2023. "Customized Cash Transfers: Financial Lives and Cash-flow Preferences in Rural Kenya," NBER Working Papers 30930, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:30930
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    Cited by:

    1. Dmitriy Sergeyev & Chen Lian & Yuriy Gorodnichenko, 2023. "The Economics of Financial Stress," NBER Working Papers 31285, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • H53 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Welfare Programs
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • O2 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy

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