Asignación Universal por Hijo y su impacto potencial en Jujuy

In Argentina, the implementation of the Programa Asignación Universal por Hijo in October 2009 brought about a significant change in childhood-oriented social policies. Although its purpose is broader than that of the specific social programs implemented since 2002 (with the change in the economic model), the scope of the Program is not as wide as it is claimed to be. The purpose of this study is to discuss the impacts of this measure on households poverty in the province of Jujuy (north-west of the Argentine Republic) based on estimates from microdata of the Encuesta Permanente de Hogares in San Salvador de Jujuy - Palpalá for 2009. Based on this information, it may be determined what households would be entitled to the referred allowance and it may be simulated how poverty and extreme destitution rates would change if such benefit were actually received. With the aim of comparing this quantitative approach to the little qualitative information available, we review various means of communication with national scope in order to find clues to the controversies and support in connection with the program, focused on the main difficulties for the poor or extremely destitute population in accessing this benefit in Jujuy. Thus, based on a two-fold approach, we intend to show the extent to which the children’s allowance program in Jujuy may impact life conditions of the households in question and to analyze the difficulties and limitations regarding access to such benefit, pointing out possible alternatives to address these issues.