Do Child Tax Benefits Affect the Well-being of Children? Evidence from Canadian Child Benefit Expansions

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Milligan, Kevin; Stabile, Mark
• 署名单位: University of British Columbia; University of Toronto; University of Toronto
• 刊物名称: AMERICAN ECONOMIC JOURNAL-ECONOMIC POLICY
• ISSN/ISSBN: 1945-7731
• DOI: 10.1257/pol.3.3.175
• 发表日期: 2011
• 页码: 175-205
• 关键词: health; incentives; welfare; income; care

摘要

We exploit changes in child benefits in Canada to study the impact of family income on child and family well-being. Using variation in child benefits across province, time, and family type, we study outcomes spanning test scores, mental health, physical health, and deprivation measures. The findings suggest that child benefit programs had significant positive effects on test scores, maternal health, and mental health, among other measures. We find strong and interesting differences in the effects of benefits by child sex: benefits have stronger effects on educational outcomes and physical health for boys, and on mental health outcomes for girls. (JEL I12, I31, I38, J13)