American Economic Journal:
Economic Policy
ISSN 1945-7731 (Print) | ISSN 1945-774X (Online)
Do Child Tax Benefits Affect the Well-Being of Children? Evidence from Canadian Child Benefit Expansions
American Economic Journal: Economic Policy
vol. 3,
no. 3, August 2011
(pp. 175–205)
Abstract
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)Citation
Milligan, Kevin, and Mark Stabile. 2011. "Do Child Tax Benefits Affect the Well-Being of Children? Evidence from Canadian Child Benefit Expansions." American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, 3 (3): 175–205. DOI: 10.1257/pol.3.3.175Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- I12 Health Production
- I31 General Welfare
- I38 Welfare and Poverty: Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
- J13 Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
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