We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
"It Takes a While to Get Used to": The Costs of Redeeming Public Benefits.
- Authors
Barnes, Carolyn Y
- Abstract
Scholars have examined how administrative burden creates barriers to accessing public benefits but have primarily focused on the challenges of claiming benefits. Less is known about the difficulties beneficiaries face when using public benefits, especially voucher-based public assistance programs. I argue that the costs of learning how to redeem benefits can discourage program use and undermine policy goals. To enrich the administrative burden framework, this study draws from a qualitative analysis of 43 participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to develop a new subset of learning costs—redemption costs. I argue that two conditions: limited portability and reliance on third-party agents create redemption costs for beneficiaries. I apply these two conditions to two other voucher-based programs: the Housing Choice Voucher Program and the Child Care Subsidy. Examining redemption costs can help clarify when and where beneficiaries experience burdens, reasons behind discontinuity in program participation, and why public programs fail to meet objectives.
- Subjects
DOMESTIC economic assistance; GOVERNMENT programs; GOVERNMENT policy; SPECIAL Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants &; Children (U.S.); HOUSING vouchers
- Publication
Journal of Public Administration Research & Theory, 2021, Vol 31, Issue 2, p295
- ISSN
1053-1858
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1093/jopart/muaa042