Which eligible households get grants? Demographic correlates of receipt in South Africa |
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| Authors: | Erin B Godfrey Nia D Gordon Lucia C Knight J Lawrence Aber LaRue Allen Linda Richter |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Applied Psychology, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, New York University, New York, NY, USA;2. School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Belville, South Africa;3. HIV/AIDS, STI and TB (HAST), Human Sciences Research Council, Durban, South Africa;4. Department of Paediatrics, MRC/WITS Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa |
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| Abstract: | Since Apartheid, the South African government transformed and expanded the social grants system to improve the well-being of its vulnerable populations. Despite increased efforts, a sub-section of the grant-eligible population is not reached. Too little is known about the factors that contribute to grant receipt, especially for the household as a whole. This article examines the household and community characteristics associated with grant receipt among poor households in KwaZulu-Natal. We add to previous work by assessing grant receipt at the household level, examining receipt of the two major grants and analysing correlates in a multivariate framework. While associations with grant receipt are complex and varied, we find higher grant receipt (especially the Child Support Grant) among more disadvantaged households. We also find that characteristics across multiple domains are needed to best distinguish household grant receipt. We discuss theoretical implications for models of grant receipt and practical implications for improving grant access. |
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| Keywords: | Social grants households grant receipt poverty demographic correlates |
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