Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management

Many rigorous impact studies have provided evidence on the positive impacts of social cash transfers on the economic portfolio of recipient households. In particular, it has been seen that these interventions can both sustain as well as enhance the livelihood of recipient household. Yet most studies fail to comprehend the role of markets in shaping the outcomes of social cash transfers. Access to markets however shapes people’s opportunities in their efforts to achieve livelihood. Thus, it constitutes an important element to be considered when understanding the impact of social cash transfers on the economic portfolio of recipient households.

Taking the case of Uganda’s Senior Citizens Grant (SCG), this study therefore seeks to shed light on the differences in the Grant’s livelihood impacts for recipient households with unequal access to markets. Assuming a more differentiated approach for studying livelihood impacts of social pensions, the study utilises a mixed methods approach, using a combination of both quantitative and qualitative data from the SCG in Uganda. Focusing on household level impacts on labour participation, agricultural production, asset accumulation as well as borrowing practices, the paper argues that there are vital differences in the utilisation of the SCG between recipient households living in areas that are well connected to markets and recipient households living in areas with marginalised market access.

Key words: Social cash transfers, impact evaluation, market access, Sub-Sahara Africa