Crime over the welfare payment cycle

Economic Inquiry, vol. 62, pp. 1309–1334

Abstract

Abstract This study examines criminal behavior over the welfare payment cycle. Using unique individual‐level administrative data on welfare recipients, we exploit exogenous variation in payment dates over time and across Dutch municipalities. The results suggest that financially motivated crime increases by 12% over the payment cycle, indicating serious financial constraints toward the end of the month. Non‐financially motivated offenses, particularly sex and violent offenses and driving under the influence offenses (DUIs), peak directly after benefits receipt and decrease over the payment cycle, suggesting an underlying spike in consumption conducive to crime. Public order offenses and DUIs also increase with weekend disbursement.

Authors 3

1. Marco T. C. Stam corresponding

   Tilburg University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Economics Tilburg University Tilburg The Netherlands

   Department of Sociology Tilburg University Tilburg The Netherlands

2. Marike G. Knoef

   Tilburg University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Econometrics & OR Tilburg University Tilburg The Netherlands

3. Anke A. T. Ramakers Aachen Department of Criminology Leiden University Leiden The Netherlands

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Criminology Leiden University Leiden The Netherlands