Why do poor households not apply for welfare benefits? evidence from Jamaicas path program

Garfield O. Blake () and Godfrey Gibbison
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Garfield O. Blake: Central Connecticut State University, USA
Godfrey Gibbison: College of Charleston, USA

Journal of Developing Areas, 2015, vol. 49, issue 1, 65-82

Abstract: Estimates show only 56 percent of poor households who are eligible for benefits under the Program of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) in Jamaica actually applied to the program. Also, application rate among urban households is approximately half the rate that exists among poor rural households. This study investigates potential reasons for the relatively low application rate. Using data compiled by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), we conclude that single male household heads are two to four times less likely to apply for benefits compared to households headed by females and married couples. Problems regarding information about PATH and the complexity of the application process have the greatest impact on the decision not to apply.

Keywords: Poor Households; Welfare Participation; Binomial Logit; Jamaica (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I38 J61 R20 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:jda:journl:vol.49:year:2015:issue1:pp:65-82

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