Public Benefits Delivery & Consumer Protection
Cash assistance predominantly flows to low-income families in need or individuals at a precarious time. Given the often-acute needs of the populations who receive and rely on cash assistance, it is critical that beneficiaries have full and timely access to these funds. This Issue Spotlight explores the challenges that recipients of public benefits programs offering cash assistance encounter in accessing funds through financial products or services. It also summarizes CFPB consumer complaints and the results of focus groups with cash assistance recipients. This report focuses on assistance provided on prepaid cards because of specific recurring issues we have seen arising with the provision of benefits by that method.
Full Report
Related press release
New CFPB Issue Spotlight Examines High Fees that Chip Away at Public Benefits