SSI for Disabled Immigrants: Why Do Ethnic Networks Matter?

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2013
Volume: 103
Issue: 3
Pages: 462-66

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

Immigrants residing among many coethnics are especially likely to receive SSI for a disability when they belong to high SSI take-up immigrant groups. After showing that this relationship cannot be fully explained by differences in health, we consider the likely sources of these network effects by separately examining their role in the decision to apply for SSI and, conditional on applying, their role in determining who ultimately receives benefits. Our results suggest that networks may increase the probability of applying for SSI despite minor disabilities, but it is unlikely that network effects are driven by egregious lies on applications.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:103:y:2013:i:3:p:462-66
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25