Who Benefits from Digitizing Public Programs?

Neil Cholli () and Derek Wu ()
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Neil Cholli: Cornell University
Derek Wu: University of Virginia

No 18873, IZA Discussion Papers from IZA Network @ LISER

Abstract: Governments increasingly digitize access to public programs, but it remains unclear who benefits. Using administrative microdata from Virginia, we study the impact of an online portal that streamlined SNAP, Medicaid, and TANF applications. Among children and non-elderly adults, the portal raised enrollment by 1.7–2.0% for every ten miles between their residence and local program office. Yet it had no detectable effect on the elderly, despite their lower participation and comparable enrollment barriers. Predicted digital access accounts for 84% of the variation in effects across these groups, showing that digitization can expand access while excluding vulnerable groups like the elderly.

Keywords: digital government; welfare programs; take-up; administrative burdens; elderly (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: H53 I38 O33 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-08
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-lma
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