How to improve participation in social assistance programs

David Ribar

IZA World of Labor, 2014, No 104, 104

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.

Keywords: social assistance; program participation; administration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I38 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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