Administrative burden in social welfare programs is increasingly recognized as a barrier to eligible individuals' access to their legally entitled benefits. Using composite indices of administrative rules for three major safety-net programs (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and Medicaid) that vary in the degree and type of costs conferred on claimants across states between 2000 and 2016, we examine the effect of rule burden on program participation using two-way fixed effects models. We find that each program contained numerous rules that confer a high degree of learning and compliance costs, and psychological costs to a lesser extent, though to varying degrees. Reducing costs associated with burdensome administrative rules was associated with higher program inclusivity across the programs, with relaxing some rules contributing more than others. Rules that automate enrollment/renewal, link eligibility with other programs and reduce asset tests seem especially promising. Easing burdensome administrative rules can increase access to services to which claimants are legally entitled.

中文翻译：

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行政负担对国家安全网参与的影响：来自食品援助、现金援助和医疗补助的证据

社会福利计划中的行政负担越来越被认为是符合条件的个人获得其合法福利的障碍。使用 2000 年至 2016 年间赋予各州索赔人成本的程度和类型不同的三个主要安全网计划（贫困家庭临时援助计划、补充营养援助计划和医疗补助计划）的行政规则综合指数，我们检查了使用双向固定效应模型研究规则负担对计划参与的影响。我们发现每个项目都包含许多规则，这些规则会带来高度的学习和合规成本，以及较小程度的心理成本，尽管程度不同。降低与繁琐的行政规则相关的成本与跨项目的更高项目包容性相关，放宽一些规则比其他规则贡献更多。自动注册/更新、将资格与其他计划联系起来并减少资产测试的规则似乎特别有前途。放宽繁琐的行政规则可以增加索赔人依法享有的服务的可及性。