Emergency cash transfers for informal workers: Impact evidence from Mexico

Ana P. Cañedo, Raissa Fabregas and Prankur Gupta

Journal of Public Economics, 2023, vol. 219, issue C

Abstract: We study the effects of a sizeable ($526 PPP) one-time-only emergency cash transfer targeted at self-employed, sub-employed, and informal sector workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The transfers were processed on a first-come, first-served basis until program funds were depleted, creating a plausible source of exogenous variation in program participation. Combining this discontinuity with a purpose-built phone survey, we find substantial positive effects on measures of food security and psychological well-being three to four months after reception. The point estimates for summary measures of business health outcomes and support for lockdowns are positive but imprecisely estimated.

Keywords: Emergency cash transfers; COVID-19; Social protection; Mental health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:pubeco:v:219:y:2023:i:c:s0047272723000026

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2023.104820

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