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Immigrant Networks and the Take-Up of Disability Programs: Evidence from US Census Data

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  • Furtado, Delia

    (University of Connecticut)

  • Theodoropoulos, Nikolaos

    (University of Cyprus)

Abstract

This paper examines the role of ethnic networks in disability program take-up among working-age immigrants in the United States. We find that even when controlling for country of origin and area of residence fixed effects, immigrants residing amidst a large number of co-ethnics are more likely to receive disability payments when their ethnic groups have higher take-up rates. Although this pattern can be partially explained by cross-group differences in satisfying the work history or income and asset requirements of the disability programs, we also find that social norms and, to a lesser extent, information sharing play important roles.

Suggested Citation

  • Furtado, Delia & Theodoropoulos, Nikolaos, 2012. "Immigrant Networks and the Take-Up of Disability Programs: Evidence from US Census Data," IZA Discussion Papers 6649, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp6649
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    Cited by:

    1. Gordon B. Dahl & Andreas Ravndal Kostøl & Magne Mogstad, 2014. "Family Welfare Cultures," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 129(4), pages 1711-1752.
    2. Renuka Bhaskar & Leticia Fernandez & Sonya Rastogi, 2015. "Assimilation and Coverage of the Foreign-Born Population in Administrative Records," CARRA Working Papers 2015-02, Center for Economic Studies, U.S. Census Bureau.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    supplementary security income; social security disability insurance; networks; immigrants;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C31 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models; Quantile Regressions; Social Interaction Models
    • H55 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Social Security and Public Pensions
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers

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