The desire to avoid the shame of being dependent on government aid is often cited as a cause of low welfare take-up rates. In contrast to other obstacles, such as transaction costs or a lack of information, little empirical research has been conducted on how stigma affects social benefits...

Die Scham, auf staatliche Hilfe angewiesen zu sein, wird häufig als Grund für eine niedrige Inanspruchnahme von Sozialleistungen genannt. Im Vergleich zu anderen Hemmnissen, wie beispielsweise mangelnden Informationen oder Transaktionskosten, gibt es aber nur wenig empirische Forschung zu den...

Using a laboratory experiment, we present first evidence that social image concerns causally reduce the take-up of an individually beneficial transfer. Our design manipulates the informativeness of the take-up decision by varying whether transfer eligibility is based on ability or luck, and how...