Suchergebnisse

Every month, the B.C. government provides Income and Disability Assistance to over 200,000 residents on a day known as Welfare Wednesday. Using data on alcohol sales and drug crimes in Vancouver, I find that the arrival of Welfare Wednesday leads to a significant increase in alcohol purchases and drug-related crimes, suggesting that recipients spend a sizable portion of their welfare income quickly after receiving rather than budget for the entire month. I argue that the structure of the provincial welfare system exacerbates the problem and makes it more difficult for recipients to break the cycle of poverty.

Every month, the B.C. government provides Income and Disability Assistance to over 200,000 residents on a day known as Welfare Wednesday. Using data on alcohol sales and drug crimes in Vancouver, I find that the arrival of Welfare Wednesday leads to a significant increase in alcohol purchases and drug-related crimes, suggesting that recipients spend a sizable portion of their welfare income quickly after receiving rather than budget for the entire month. I argue that the structure of the provincial welfare system exacerbates the problem and makes it more difficult for recipients to break the cycle of poverty.