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How Does Public Assistance Affect Children in Disadvantaged Families? Evidence from Türkiye’s Family Support Program

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  • Hiziroglu Aygun, Aysun

Abstract

We examine the short-term effects of Türkiye’s Family Support Program (FSP), a large-scale unconditional cash transfer (UCT) introduced in 2022 amid 85.5% annual inflation. The program complements food and shelter support and offers approximately one-third of the monthly minimum wage to low-income families. Using a regression discontinuity design based on the program's per capita income eligibility threshold, we analyze the program's short-term effects on child labor, time use, health, and emotional well-being within six months of implementation. We find significant reductions in children's participation in family businesses and agricultural work. Investigating the heterogeneous effects, we find that the program reduces non-market outside work for boys and time spent on domestic work for girls. Emotional well-being improved, especially among boys. These findings suggest that UCTs can improve child welfare during macroeconomic crises when combined with in-kind transfers.

Suggested Citation

  • Hiziroglu Aygun, Aysun, 2025. "How Does Public Assistance Affect Children in Disadvantaged Families? Evidence from Türkiye’s Family Support Program," EconStor Preprints 324156, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:esprep:324156
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure

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