The Need for Personal Assistance: When Behavioral Interventions Aren’t Enough.

The Behavioral Interventions to Advance Self-Sufficiency (BIAS) study results from Indiana and Oklahoma, in addition to an H&R Block FAFSA experiment, suggest that behavioral interventions that are designed to increase active participation in benefit programs may be more successful if they can incorporate more personal interactions with targeted individuals. The interventions may be more costly, but may make up for that added cost in being more effective. Springing on the opportunity to complete a form “now” or being able to respond to individuals’ questions, and creating more trust in trying something new, may make an important difference. (Author abstract)