Testing a conditional cash transfer program in the U.S.: the effects of the family rewards program in New York City

Abstract

Family Rewards represents the first test of a Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program in the U.S., offering families incentives for children’s education, family preventive health care and parents’ work and training. Using a randomized controlled trial, we find that the program led to substantial reductions in poverty and hardship during the 3 years in which the rewards were offered. The program also led to some effects in each of the three areas of education, health and work, although the effects were fairly modest or limited to certain subgroups. JEL classification: I1, I2, I3, J1.