Demographic, Community and Macroeconomic Effects on Disability Grant Programme Participation

This paper investigates the role of demographic, community and macroeconomic effects on Disability Grant programme (DGP) participation. The study descriptively analyses demographic patterns of the disability grant (DG) beneficiaries using data from the 2002 to 2007 rounds of the General Household Survey (GHS). The decision to participate in the programme is empirically examined by probit techniques using data drawn from the 2007 wave of the GHS. Not surprisingly, the results indicate that work disability is the largest significant predictor of DGP participation. Coloureds and Asian females have a higher likelihood of receiving disability benefits compared to Africans, as are older people compared to younger individuals. The results confirm that macroeconomic dynamics and DGP participation are negatively related. The probability of receiving disability benefits increases as the rate of unemployment increases. Community differences in geographical access to welfare offices and public transport facilities exert a substantial impact on receipt of disability benefits.