How Hispanic Parents Perceive Their Need and Eligibility for Public Assistance

Author

Marta Alvira-Hammond

Lisa A. Gennetian

Public assistance programs aim to provide support to low-income children and families, and help them attain or regain economic self-sufficiency. Despite high levels of poverty, Hispanics/Latinos are less likely than members of other racial/ethnic groups to participate in some public assistance programs. Although the reasons for this are not fully understood, we do know that Hispanic families, and particularly immigrant families, face a number of unique obstacles to accessing public assistance. Using national data, this brief describes reasons low- to middle-income Hispanic parents reported for not applying for public assistance or, for those already receiving assistance, not applying for additional assistance.

The National Research Center on Hispanic Children & Families (Center) is supported by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the United States (U.S.) Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of two financial assistance awards (Award # 90PH0028, from 2018-2023, and Award # 90PH0032 from 2023-2028) totaling $13.5 million across the two awards with 99 percent funded by ACF/HHS and 1 percentage funded by non-government sources. The contents are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACF/HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit the ACF website, Administrative and National Policy Requirement.