Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico’s Administration for Socioeconomic Development of the Family (ADSEF), together with San Juan-based NGO Espacios Abiertos and a team of researchers, is designing a pilot program that would encourage labor force participation among Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF-C) program participants. The pilot program will provide a time-limited earnings supplement to individuals conditional on their formal sector earnings. A subset of individuals will also be offered greater encouragement to take up a host of job search and job assistance services. ADSEF, Espacios Abiertos, and the research team are partnering with J-PAL North America to evaluate whether the policy reform is effective in reducing poverty, encouraging steady and formal work, and reducing reliance on traditional forms of government income assistance.