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Stigma in Welfare Programs

Author

Listed:
  • Pablo A. Celhay
  • Bruce D. Meyer
  • Nikolas Mittag

Abstract

Stigma of welfare participation is important for policy and survey design, because it deters program take-up and increases misreporting. Stigma is also relevant to the literature on social image concerns, yet empirical evidence is scant because stigma is difficult to empirically identify. We use a novel approach to studying stigma by examining the relationship between program participation in a recipient’s local network and underreporting program participation in surveys. We find a robust negative relationship and rule out explanations other than stigma. Stigma decreases when more peers engage in the stigmatized behavior and when such actions are less observable.

Suggested Citation

  • Pablo A. Celhay & Bruce D. Meyer & Nikolas Mittag, 2022. "Stigma in Welfare Programs," NBER Working Papers 30307, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:30307
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    Cited by:

    1. Horrigan, John B. & Whitacre, Brian E. & Galperin, Hernan, 2024. "Understanding uptake in demand-side broadband subsidy programs: The affordable connectivity program case," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(8).
    2. Hatton, C. Ross & Bresnahan, Carolyn & Tucker, Anna Claire & Johnson, Joelle & John, Sara & Wolfson, Julia A., 2024. "Food for thought: The intersection between SNAP stigma, food insecurity, and gender," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 361(C).
    3. Richiardi, Matteo & van de Ven, Justin & Vella, Melchior, 2024. "Mind vs matter: economic and psychologic determinants of take-up rates of social benefits in the UK," Centre for Microsimulation and Policy Analysis Working Paper Series CEMPA6/24, Centre for Microsimulation and Policy Analysis at the Institute for Social and Economic Research.
    4. Celhay, Pablo & Meyer, Bruce D. & Mittag, Nikolas, 2024. "What leads to measurement errors? Evidence from reports of program participation in three surveys," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 238(2).

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • H53 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Welfare Programs
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs

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