Weathering an Unexpected Financial Shock: The Role of Cash Grants on Household Finance and Business Survival
53 Pages Posted: 27 Nov 2019 Last revised: 22 Jun 2020
Date Written: May 21, 2020
Abstract
We estimate the causal effect of cash grants on household finance and business survival following a natural disaster. Disaster-affected individuals in high damage blocks with access to cash grants have 17% less credit card debt following the disaster than those without access to cash grants. Grants do not reduce negative financial outcomes, but do decrease migration. The grants play a role in mitigating the effects of the shock to businesses; resulting in 18% more establishments and 29% more employees post-disaster in disaster-affected neighborhoods where residents receive grants, relative to disaster-affected neighborhoods where they do not receive grants. These effects are concentrated among small non-manufacturing establishments that rely on local demand.
Keywords: Natural disasters, households finance, regional economic activity
JEL Classification: D14, Q54, R11
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
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