Understanding how administrative processes create barriers to accessing critical social programs and healthcare services
My research on administrative burdens examines how the time, effort, and psychological costs required to access government programs affect program take-up and public attitudes toward social policy. Administrative burdens—the learning, compliance, and psychological costs individuals face when interacting with government programs—can deter access to crucial safety-net programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and unemployment insurance.
Through large-scale national surveys and experimental research, I investigate how race, deservingness perceptions, and program characteristics shape public tolerance for administrative burdens. My work reveals that racial resentment significantly influences support for burden-increasing policies like work requirements, while the public broadly supports burden-reducing innovations like online renewals and presumptive eligibility.
This research has important implications for policymakers seeking to balance program integrity with accessibility, particularly for vulnerable populations who face the greatest barriers to accessing needed services.