How reducing documentation burdens impacts equity in access to small business COVID-19 relief funding

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Bell, Elizabeth; Kappes, Heather Barry; Williams, Miles
• 署名单位: University of Texas System; University of Texas Austin; University of London; London School Economics & Political Science; University System of Ohio; Denison University
• 刊物名称: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REVIEW
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0033-3352
• DOI: 10.1111/puar.13722
• 发表日期: 2024
• 页码: 674-695
• 关键词: administrative burden; social equity; Take-up; state; COSTS; support; HEALTH; care

摘要

Scholars have unveiled how and why administrative burdens perpetuate inequity in access to government benefits. However, less is known about the tools public managers can use to reduce burdens and disparities in program access. We partner with a local government in the U.S. to investigate whether a reduction in documentation requirements increased equity by promoting access for underserved small business owners (i.e., racial/ethnic minorities, women, people with disabilities, and veterans). Specifically, we analyze outcomes for more than 8500 businesses in a COVID-19 small business relief fund before and after a reduction in documentation requirements. Utilizing an interrupted time series design, we find increased application success for underserved small businesses, but other applicants benefitted more from the program change, calling into question whether the policy change advanced equity. Our findings suggest that even well-intentioned interventions can perpetuate disparity if targeted supports for marginalized communities are not implemented.