The impact of unconditional cash income on child protective services involvement
Official title: Unconditional cash income and involvement with child protective services: Evidence from the expanded child tax credit
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11039181 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how giving families extra cash, like through the expanded child tax credit, might help reduce the number of families needing help from child protective services, especially for those who are struggling financially.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $187,715 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HD117247-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11039181 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are families with children under 11 years old who are at risk of involvement with child protective services due to low income or unemployment.
✕Less likely to help
Families not facing financial hardship or those not involved with child protective services may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how providing unconditional cash income, such as through the expanded child tax credit, affects the involvement of families with child protective services (CPS). It aims to understand whether increasing income without work requirements can lead to lower rates of CPS involvement, particularly among disadvantaged families. The study will analyze data to assess the potential causal relationship between unconditional cash transfers and reduced child maltreatment, with a focus on racial disparities in CPS cases. By examining these factors, the research seeks to provide insights into how financial support can improve child welfare outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to policies that reduce child abuse and neglect by providing financial support to families in need.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that increasing income can lower CPS involvement, suggesting that this approach may be effective, though the specific focus on unconditional cash transfers is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pac, Jessica — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Pac, Jessica
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.