Publication year: 2011
Source: Children and Youth Services Review, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 13 May 2011
Mary Keegan, Eamon , Chi-Fang, Wu , Saijun, Zhang
This article uses current research to demonstrate that in addition to the direct benefits received by recipients of four main types of public benefits programs–cash assistance, public health insurance, food assistance, and public housing–non-recipients receive a variety of indirect economic and noneconomic benefits. Non-recipients include individuals, families, organizations, businesses, neighborhoods, and the general public. The review indicates that public benefits programs can indirectly benefit non-recipients economically by increasing economic security; stimulating local, state, and national economies; increasing employment and other measures of economic well-being; generating tax revenues; and providing cost savings. In addition, we determined two main types of indirect…
Research highlights: ► We use current research to demonstrate that in addition to the direct benefits received by recipients of four main types of public benefits programs, these programs can provide indirect benefits to non-recipients. ► Non-recipients include individuals, families, organizations, businesses, neighborhoods, and the general public. ► Both indirect economic and non-economic benefits are identified. ► Based on the reviewed research, we discuss strategies to reframe negative perceptions of government spending on public benefits programs to garner additional support for these programs.