Income Support Programs Research Articles

Finances of the Nation: Federal and Provincial Income Support Programs for Seniors in Canada

Finances of the Nation: Federal and Provincial Income Support Programs for Seniors in Canada

Impact of Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) on Voting Behavior of Women in District Sanghar

This paper, based on the findings of the research project sponsored by Sindh Higher Education Commission, attempts to study the impact of BISP on the voting behaviour of women in district Sanghar, Pakistan. Sanghar is one of the largest districts of Rural Sindh in terms of population and area, which is comprised of 6 talukas. The population of district is more than 2 million and around half of the population of district is female. There are mainly two large political parties in district Sanghar which secure most of the seats of national as well as provincial assemblies. However, after the launching of Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) in 2008, the results of elections have turned in favour of one party. In last general elections 2018 Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) bagged 6 out of 9 seats as compared to 0 seats out of 9 in 2002. Thus, the study has selected the Sanghar district as model to assess the impact of BISP on voting behavior. Mixed method research approach was employed to collect data for this study. Total of 1079 face-to-face structured questionnaires were administered and 12 focus group discussion (FGDs) were conducted in six talukas of the district. The results demonstrate major change in the voting behavior of voters in district Sanghar. The findings of the study suggest the significant impact of BISP on the voting behavior of women in Sanghar district.

A poisoned gift? The hireability signals of an income-support program for the senior unemployed

Abstract Many Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries invest heavily in labor-market programs to prolong careers. Although active labor-market programs have frequently been evaluated, less is known about passive programs supporting unemployed seniors financially. We focus on the latter by investigating the hiring opportunities of candidates who partake in a regime that ensures dismissed seniors a company supplement alongside regular unemployment benefits. Therefore, we conduct a scenario experiment in which genuine recruiters evaluate fictitious candidates who have spent varying durations unemployed in regimes with and without the company supplement. Because recruiters evaluate candidates' hireability and productivity perceptions, we can identify underlying mechanisms. Overall, we find no evidence of employer-side stigma hindering the re-employment of seniors unemployed in the program. Conversely, longer-term unemployed even benefit from this regime because it mitigates regular stigmatization of long-term unemployment, especially for men. Specifically, recruiters judge them more mildly – particularly regarding flexibility – when they receive the supplement and still apply.

Equity-oriented food supports: Learnings from the Nova Scotia COVID-19 pandemic response.

Public health measures enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted Nova Scotians experiencing food insecurity. Public Health (PH), Nova Scotia Health, created a provincial Housing Isolation Program (HIP) which addressed barriers to isolation, including food access, for COVID-19 cases and contacts being followed by PH. HIP worked with partners to coordinate and respond to urgent food needs of isolating clients by providing grocery and meal delivery options. HIP also made referrals to government and community partners for income and food supports. This program was intended to minimize the spread of COVID-19 by facilitating isolation while meeting basic needs for people with no other means of support. From December 2020 to March 2022, HIP completed grocery and meal deliveries for 579 clients, 1351 referrals to a provincial Income Support Program, and 231 referrals to external food supports. HIP staff worked with clients to manage potential perceptions of stigma. Challenges reported included the urgency of food needs, lack of social supports, and availability and accessibility constraints in rural communities, as well as difficulty accessing culturally appropriate foods and special diets. This intervention demonstrates the importance of addressing food insecurity during emergency preparedness, planning, and response. During emergencies, planning and mobilizing food access requires an equity-oriented approach to overcome stigma. Broadly, continued reliance on charitable responses creates significant vulnerability during emergencies and addressing root causes of food insecurity through social policy will provide longer-term protection.

Unconditional cash transfer programs and women’s empowerment: evidence from Pakistan

AbstractThis study explores the impact of unconditional cash transfers on the multiple dimensions of women’s empowerment in Pakistan. Emphasizing the importance of cultural and religious norms, empowerment is considered as a latent construct manifested through three distinct choice dimensions, viz., “self,” “familial,” and “economic.” For the empirical estimation, a structural equation model is used on the country-representative Impact Evaluation Survey data of 2015–16 for the Benazir Income Support Program. The measurement model identifies various indicators for the dimensions considered. The results confirm the importance of providing cash transfers to the country's poorest women in all three dimensions, while the impact on self-choices is almost 40% that of the impact on the other two aspects of empowerment. Our findings provide recommendations for the successful implementation of social assistance programs.

No change in substance use disorders or overdose after implementation of state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

BackgroundInadequate income is associated with higher likelihood of experiencing a substance use disorder (SUD). This study tests whether the earned income tax credit (EITC), which issues supplemental income for workers with children in the U.S., is associated with lower rates of SUD and fatal overdose. MethodsWe examined the effects of state-level refundable EITC presence and generosity (i.e., state EITC rate as a % of federal rate) on SUD-related outcomes (SUD prevalence and intentional and unintentional fatal overdose) using a difference-in-difference methodology, with both two-way fixed-effects models and event study plots. Several sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of findings. Five data sources were used to create a combined state-level longitudinal dataset. ResultsWe did not find significant effects of refundable EITC presence or generosity on unintentional or intentional fatal overdose or SUD prevalence in two-way models. Event study models detected a very slight upward shift in SUD prevalence following refundable EITC implementation (not seen in sensitivity analyses) and no significant effects of EITC implementation on any of the fatal overdose outcomes. ConclusionsEvidence regarding income support programs is being highly sought by policy makers as income support programs have become increasingly popular policy levers since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our study indicates EITC policies likely have no impact on SUD or overdose, however, other income support programs without family restrictions are important to investigate further.

A Scoping Review of Income Support Programs Offered to Older Adults Living in South Asian Countries between 2000 and 2021

Income support programs (ISPs) are important social policy measures to reduce the risk of poverty among older adults. Over the years, developing countries including South Asian countries have introduced various ISPs to support the older population. This scoping review will provide information on ISPs for older adults in South Asia and will map the evidence available on the impact of these programs. This scoping review uses the Joanna Briggs Institute’s (JBI) methodology. Older adults living in South Asia were included, and ISPs were considered as the “concept.” Eight electronic databases and organizational/governmental websites were searched for English language publications from January 2000 to May 2021. Four authors independently screened and extracted the data and analyzed it by descriptive statistics. A total of 115 studies provided information on ISPs for older adults and 25 on the impact of these programs. The identified studies covered all types of ISPs; however, government-sponsored or pillar 0 (ISP classification) programs were the most common. They also covered a vast spectrum of all types of study designs. The most common schemes are social pensions that work towards sustainable development goals (Goal 1.3) of social protection for all. Future research should focus on studying the impact of ISPs and expanding the ISPs for older adults in low-coverage countries.

Gender Equitable Community Development through Benazir Income Support Programme Beneficiaries Committees (BBCs) in District Dir Upper, Pakistan

Gender Equitable Community Development through Benazir Income Support Programme Beneficiaries Committees (BBCs) in District Dir Upper, Pakistan

SOCIOECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE: A REVIEW AND CONCEPTUAL SOLUTIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY

The review provides a concise summary of the outlined paper on Socioeconomic Determinants of Mental Health and Substance Use, focusing on a review of relevant factors and proposing conceptual solutions for public health policy. This paper examines the intricate relationship between socioeconomic determinants and mental health, as well as substance use disorders, emphasizing their significant impact on individuals' well-being and the broader public health landscape. Through a comprehensive review, it elucidates how factors such as income, education, employment, and housing conditions shape patterns of mental health outcomes and substance use behaviors. The analysis underscores the pervasive influence of socioeconomic disparities, highlighting the disproportionate burden borne by marginalized communities. Low income, limited educational opportunities, unstable employment, and inadequate housing are identified as critical determinants exacerbating mental health issues and fostering substance use vulnerabilities. Furthermore, the paper offers conceptual solutions for public health policy aimed at addressing these socioeconomic determinants. It advocates for multifaceted approaches that target systemic inequalities, including income support programs, accessible education initiatives, strengthened mental health services, and comprehensive substance use prevention and treatment strategies. Emphasizing the importance of supportive housing environments, the proposed solutions prioritize holistic interventions that address the root causes of mental health disparities and substance use challenges. This paper underscores the imperative for policymakers to prioritize socioeconomic equity in crafting effective public health policies. By addressing the underlying determinants outlined herein, policymakers can foster a more inclusive and resilient society, where individuals have equitable access to resources and opportunities for optimal mental health and well-being.
 Keywords: Socioeconomic, Mental Health, Substance Use, Public Health, Policy, Review

Unconditional cash transfers, health and savings

This paper examines the relationship between a national unconditional cash transfers (UCTs) program, health and savings. We theoretically and empirically show that motives to save can be strong when cash transfers promote health outcomes. We first present a theoretical model that considers lifecycle-consumption savings decisions, where households derive utility from consumption and leisure time at working age, as well as old-age consumption and old-age longevity that positively depend on health spending. We then empirically examine the impact of Pakistan’s Benazir Income Support Programme on various indicators of savings and provide suggestive evidence on how UCTs influence savings via health. We find that in the short and medium term, UCTs increase the probability that a household decides to save and have significant positive effects on the rates and amounts of household savings. The effects of UCTs are more pronounced on informal compared to formal savings. The results present exploratory and suggestive evidence that health is a mechanism through which UCTs transmit to savings. These findings are consistent with our theoretical predictions.

Discourse On Barriers And Social Safety Nets For Active Participation Of Persons With Disabilities In Society: An Evidence From Pakistan

Present study is intended to investigate the discourse on barriers and social safety nets foractive participation of persons with disabilities in society. Social Safety Nets (SSNs) are type ofinterventions implemented by the government for protection of the marginalized segment of the society including persons with disabilities against. SSNs are mostly in the form of cash assistance or assets transfer to the poorest of the poor in society. These safety nets include unconditional cash transfer, conditional/ co-responsibility cash transfer, school feeding, fee waiver, and in kind transfers. Such initiatives provide assistance in terms of cash, education, skill development, health, and other allied areas to save the families from falling into trap of poverty. This study also narrates barriers e.g. poverty, illiteracy, lack of information etc. through which emerging nations' social safety nets could not reach to PWDs . Disability-specific safety nets can be designed and implemented for PWDs and removal of barriers for their active participation. The main objective of the study is to access the barriers faced by the persons with disabilities and type of social safety nets for persons with disabilities. For the purpose of quantitative information gathering, five hundred disabled persons were selected randomly from data set of Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), Pakistan. Data was further collected with the help of a well-structured interview schedule, and collected data were processed through a statistical package for social sciences. Findings illustrate that social safety nets are helpful for the persons with disabilities and it is necessary to remove barriers so that PWD can become active part of society.

Identifying the risk factors associated with food insecurity in the UK veteran population: a nationwide survey.

There has been limited focus placed on exploring food insecurity within the UK-ex-Armed Forces population. The present study aims to build on initial work by investigating the prevalence and associated factors of food insecurity within UK veterans and their families and their current health status. 881 veterans (or a family member) who previously served in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, Army and the Royal Air Force completed an online survey to explore health status, food insecurity and receipt of benefits. In total, 16.9% of survey respondents were part of food-insecure households, with 12% of these also experiencing some element of hunger. Working age, non-officer rank at the time of service discharge, not being married, living in rented accommodation, having at least one medical condition and in receipt of other benefits were significant risk factors associated with food insecurity. Understanding the specific risk factors associated with food insecurity is vital to develop personalised interventions and policies, such as income support programmes and affordable housing initiatives. However, more work is needed to further explore the factors associated with food insecurity, particularly in the long term.

The Effects of Credit Score Migration on Subprime Auto Loan and Credit Card Delinquencies

In the early stages of the pandemic, income support and forbearance programs led consumer loan delinquency rates to fall to near-record lows for borrowers across the credit score distribution. Since the second half of 2021, however, delinquency rates have risen, and by 2023:Q3, overall rates for auto and credit card loans had risen above their pre-pandemic levels.

Direct transfer policies for the poor

We discuss various anti-poverty policies which involve direct transfer policies for the poor, focusing on their different dimensions—namely the size and time sequence of the transfers, whether it is cash or in kind, any conditionality involved, whether they are means-tested. We argue that their pros and cons depend on what is the underlying aspect of poverty that the policy is aiming to address, namely what is the cause of it, what is the time horizon, what is the social objective, and what, if any, limitations on state capacity might be present. We illustrate the issues involved by discussing two transfer policies in detail, a rural asset transfer programme in Bangladesh and a hypothetical universal income support programme in India—and highlight the dual nature of such policies as both redistributive and potentially productive investments. We conclude by discussing the potential complementarities between different types of anti-poverty policies.

Understanding food insecurity risk in the United States: A longitudinal analysis

BackgroundFood insecurity, lack of consistent access to the food needed for an active, healthy life, harms population health. Although substantial biomedical evidence examines the connections between food insecurity and health, fewer studies examine why food insecurity occurs. MethodsWe propose a conceptual understanding of food insecurity risk based on institutions that distribute income—the factor payment system (income distribution stemming from paid labor and asset ownership), transfers within households, and the government tax-and-transfer system. A key feature of our understanding is 'roles' individuals inhabit in relation to the factor payment system: child, older adult, disabled working-age adult, student, unemployed individual, caregiver, or paid laborer. A second feature is that the roles of others in an individual's household also affect an individual's food insecurity risk. We tested hypotheses implied by this understanding, particularly hypotheses relating to role, household composition, and income support programs, using nationally-representative, longitudinal U.S. Current Population Survey data (2016–2019). ResultsThere were 16,884 participants (year 1 food insecurity prevalence: 10.0%). Inhabiting roles of child (Relative Risk [RR] 1.79, 95% Confidence Interval [95%CI] 1.67 to 1.93), disabled working age-adult (RR 3.74, 95%CI 3.25 to 4.31), or unemployed individual (RR 3.29, 95%CI 2.51 to 4.33) were associated with a greater risk of food insecurity than being a paid laborer. Most food insecure households, 74.8%, had members inhabiting roles of child or disabled working age-adult, and/or contained individuals who experienced job loss. Similar associations held when examining those transitioning from food insecurity to food security in year 2. ConclusionsThe proposed understanding accords with the pattern of food insecurity risk observed in the U.S. An implication is that transfer income programs for individuals inhabiting roles, such as childhood and disability, that limit factor payment system participation may reduce food insecurity risk for both those individuals and those in their household.

Loss aversion and the welfare ranking of policy interventions

This paper develops theoretical criteria and econometric methods to rank policy interventions in terms of welfare when individuals are loss-averse. Our new criterion for “loss aversion-sensitive dominance” defines a weak partial ordering of the distributions of policy-induced gains and losses. It applies to the class of welfare functions which model individual preferences with non-decreasing and loss-averse attitudes towards changes in outcomes. We also develop new semiparametric statistical methods to test loss aversion-sensitive dominance in practice, using nonparametric plug-in estimates; these allow inference to be conducted through a special resampling procedure. Since point-identification of the distribution of policy-induced gains and losses may require strong assumptions, we extend our comparison criteria, test statistics, and resampling procedures to the partially-identified case. We illustrate our methods with a simple empirical application to the welfare comparison of alternative income support programs in the US.

Analysing the impact of idiosyncratic and covariate shocks on households’ food and non-food consumption: empirical evidence from Benazir Income Support Program

Analysing the impact of idiosyncratic and covariate shocks on households’ food and non-food consumption: empirical evidence from Benazir Income Support Program

Impact of cash transfer on food accessibility and calorie-intake in Pakistan

ABSTRACT This paper evaluates the impact of unconditional cash transfers (UCT) on the indicators of food accessibility in the urban and rural areas of Pakistan. Previous empirical evidences show poor food security in the country; however, there is lack of literature on this investigation in the context of UCT specifically the highest coverage providing social assistance programme that is the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). Examining the impact on calorie intake can help policy makers understand how households spend this additional source of income and address effectively concerns regarding food security. Propensity score matching (PSM) technique is used to analyse the latest nationally representative data. Being a recipient of the UCT is found to be significant in explaining the outcome indicator of food accessibility. Disaggregation into food groups show that recipient households increase their consumption of calories from cereals and pulses, vegetables and sugary products. Although there is evidence to support the positive and significant effects of being a recipient, the effects are small. The results indicate that the households remain vulnerable due to the small amount of transfer.

The effect of a change to the income support policy for the elderly on labor supply in South Korea

In July 2014, the South Korean government replaced the Basic Elderly Pension, an income support program for the elderly, with a new program called the Basic Pension. This change doubled the maximum benefit to approximately $200 per month. Using a panel data set, this paper estimates the causal effect of this change on the elderly’s labor force participation, hours of work, and the cash benefit received from the program. To identify the counterfactual outcomes, I take two approaches: a potential outcome analysis and a structural model analysis. I find that the change in the program did not affect labor supply on the intensive or extensive margins significantly. However, if the benefit were increased to about $1000, the estimated structural model implies a significant reduction in labor supply on both the intensive and extensive margins.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS AND EMPOWERMENT AMONG WOMEN BENEFICIRIES OF BENAZIR INCOME SUPPORT PROGRAME (BISP)

The main objective of this study is to investigate the association between socio economic status and women empowerment. This study was conducted from Karachi city . The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is the large-scale public sector program in Pakistan that targets the poor women by providing unconditional cash transfers which is an effort of women empowerment and poverty alleviation. Present study is an attempt to examine that BISP’s beneficiary’s empowerment and those who get cash transfers but not empowered due to interference of male family members. No significant research has ever been compiled to measure the degree. Sample of the present study is comprised 80 women empowered beneficiaries =40 ( M=25.23,SD=3.01), while without empowered beneficiaries = 40 (M= 27.12,SD= 2.42) of ages 18 to above those who have national identity cards holders. All Participants of the study were selected from beneficiaries of BISP. The measures were used: a) Personal information form and b)Self-designed closed ended Questionnaire: Part 1 women empowerment with (11 items) part 2. Socio- economic condition with (8 items) schedules for interviews. Research data was statistically examined through descriptive statistic and Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used to find out the effect of socio- economic status and its relationship with or without empowerment. Findings showed that those women who are dependent on male family members are not empowered which is immense problem to alleviate the poverty.