Approaches to Reducing Administrative Burdens in Accessing and Maintaining Services from Government Agencies and Public Programs

Administrative burden occurs when individuals are faced with obstacles that hinder their ability to fully participate in society and to access programs and benefits for which they qualify. This can affect many aspects of life, including voting, enrolling for health care coverage or educational opportunities, and applying for social safety net programs like SNAP, Unemployment Insurance, or the Housing Choice Voucher program. While most people will interact with one or more of these systems on a regular basis, low-income people and those from otherwise marginalized groups are particularly vulnerable to the barriers that are in place. The Institute for Research on Poverty hosted a webinar in September 2024, where presenters discussed their research on the causes and impacts of administrative burden as seen in several programs. This recording offers applications and implications for policy and practice approaches that can alleviate administrative burden for affected individuals and communities.