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Perils of the Paperwork: The Impact of Information and Application Assistance on Social Benefit Take-Up in India

Author

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  • Sarika Gupta

Abstract

Governments worldwide administer social programs for vulnerable groups, yet many eligible citizens fail to benefit. This paper studies barriers to take-up of an unconditional cash transfer program for poor women in Delhi, India, where only one-third of eligible individuals were enrolled. In a randomized experiment with eligible women, providing program information alone increased applications only among the literate. Adding basic or intensive application assistance, however, raised average application rates by 41 percent and 70 percent, respectively, and expanded access among more vulnerable women. These results suggest that application ordeals can limit take-up by those with high need.

Suggested Citation

  • Sarika Gupta, 2026. "Perils of the Paperwork: The Impact of Information and Application Assistance on Social Benefit Take-Up in India," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 18(3), pages 342-371, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejpol:v:18:y:2026:i:3:p:342-71
    DOI: 10.1257/pol.20240212
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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