Haqdarshak: Accessing Public Services

Worldwide, the poor are often unable to access essential safety net programs. This can be due to a lack of information on services for which they are eligible, or to the challenge of navigating the bureaucracy to apply for benefits. Technology may provide solutions to radically alter average citizens’ access to the safety net benefits they deserve.
This project brings together an interdisciplinary team to understand the impacts of an innovative technology platform called Haqdarshak, which identifies eligible families and helps them through the process of receiving entitlements. Locally trained intermediaries use the technology to guide individuals through application processes and assist in collecting required documents and signatures. The team is working with the Haqdarshak platform to conduct a preliminary evaluation of the application and implementation model. It will also test the proposed treatments for an RCT, which include variations in the selection model for intermediaries, the available services, and the fees for these services. Results forthcoming.