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Abstract:
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Non-conditional, means-tested cash transfer programs in South Africa are increasingly being used as policy tools to address health and welfare issues among disadvantaged households. Young, vulnerable children may benefit greatly from the increased source of income, but few studies have explored the relationship between South African cash transfer programs and child health outcomes. Using data from KwaZulu-Natal, I study the marginal impact of a bundle of state-funded grants on child weight-for-height measures among black children under the age of five. Further, I extend this analysis across various household structures and by gender of cash transfer recipient. I find that participation in cash transfer programs is only positively correlated with child weight-for-height where the adult recipient of the grant is female, and their effect is more pronounced among children living with biological parents. |