Michael Palmer presents Can information improve the uptake of disability benefits?

Michael Palmer presents at the WIDER Seminar Series on 14 June 2023.

Can information improve the uptake of disability benefits? Experimental evidence from Vietnam

Abstract

To investigate the barriers to expanding the coverage of disability benefit programs in less developed settings, disability program information was randomised via a commune loudspeaker system in 70 rural communes in northeast Vietnam. The broadcasts led to an 11 percent increase in the number of applications and an 8 percent increase in the number of persons certified as disabled by the commune disability determination committee. The effects were substantially higher among persons certified to have a severe disability who are entitled to a monthly disability pension, and among men and persons of working age. The results suggest that increasing the awareness of disability benefit programs through information campaigns at the local level can be a cost effective way of increasing program coverage in low- and middle-income countries.

About the presenter

Michael Palmer is a senior lecturer in economics at the University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.

WIDER Seminar Series

The WIDER Seminar Series showcases the latest research on key topics in development economics. It provides a forum for senior and early-career researchers, both in-house and external, to present recent and ongoing work related to UNU-WIDER’s current work programme.

In addition to providing a forum for both academic debate and training, the series presents an opportunity for policy makers and others interested in development to learn about the latest research methods and findings.

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