Disability benefits: a substitute for Income Support for single mothers with no qualifications in the UK

Soobedar, Zeenat (2009). Disability benefits: a substitute for Income Support for single mothers with no qualifications in the UK. Queen Mary, University of London.

URL: http://www.econ.qmul.ac.uk/papers/wp/WP657.HTM

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of the age-eligibility rule establishing automatic withdrawal of Income Support for single mothers whose youngest child turns 16 on the disability benefits welfare participation decision of single mothers with no qualifications in the UK. Using the age discontinuity in Income Support program assignment, the study reveals that these single mothers are 4.2 percentage points more likely to claim health benefits as their youngest child turns 16, consistent with a theoretical model of benefits choice. More than a quarter of single mothers who were initially on Income Support apply for sickness and disability benefits, out of which 70% claim non-contributory health benefits.

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About

• Item ORO ID
• 27688
• Item Type
• Other - Other
• Keywords
• single mothers; disability benefits; regression discontinuity
• Academic Unit or School
• Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) > Social Sciences and Global Studies
  Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS)
• Copyright Holders
• © 2009 Queen Mary, University of London
• Depositing User
• Zeenat Soobedar