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The Long-Term Effects of Income for At-Risk Infants: Evidence from Supplemental Security Income

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Listed:
  • Amelia Hawkins
  • Christopher Hollrah
  • Sarah Miller
  • Laura R. Wherry
  • Gloria Aldana
  • Mitchell Wong

Abstract

The Supplemental Security Income program uses a birth weight cutoff at 1,200 grams to determine eligibility. Using birth certificates linked to administrative records, we find low-income families of infants born just below the cutoff receive higher monthly cash benefits (equal to 27 percent of family income) at ages 0–2 with smaller benefits continuing through age 10. Yet we detect no improvements in health care use and mortality in infancy, nor in health and human capital outcomes as observed through young adulthood for these infants. We also find no improvements for their older siblings.

Suggested Citation

  • Amelia Hawkins & Christopher Hollrah & Sarah Miller & Laura R. Wherry & Gloria Aldana & Mitchell Wong, 2025. "The Long-Term Effects of Income for At-Risk Infants: Evidence from Supplemental Security Income," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 115(9), pages 3081-3129, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aecrev:v:115:y:2025:i:9:p:3081-3129
    DOI: 10.1257/aer.20231293
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I13 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Insurance, Public and Private
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J14 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of the Elderly; Economics of the Handicapped; Non-Labor Market Discrimination
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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