The Welfare Effects of Beneficiary Control Over the Timing of Cash Transfers

To exit poverty, income streams of low-income individuals must align with their liquidity needs (e.g., large investments, consumption-smoothing, saving for shocks and smaller expenses). Traditional cash transfer programs lack flexibility, offering fixed payment structures. This project will measure the demand for, and the welfare impacts of, the choice of a fully flexible payment schedule (times and amounts) in partnership with the Government of Ghana.