The independent effects of socio-demographic and programmatic factors on economic strain among parents in a Child Savings Accounts program

•Automatic facilitation improves enrolment in Child Savings Accounts programs.•Participation in the program does not affect economic strain.•Income and having a savings account at baseline affected economic strain.•Receipt of public welfare benefits affected economic strain.

This study examines the independent effects of socio-demographic variables and program social services on the degree of economic strain among lower income parents who had an opportunity to open child savings in a subsidized savings accounts program known as Saving for Education, Entrepreneurship, and Downpayment (SEED). SEED is a policy, practice and research initiative designed to test the efficacy of and inform policy for a national system of asset-building accounts for children and youth. Findings suggest that overall, the degree of economic strain was not significantly different at baseline and at the second wave between parents who opened accounts and those who did not open accounts for their children. However, household income, having a household savings account, and receipt of means-tested welfare programs affected the degrees of economic strain. Implications are directed toward helping lower income families effectively participate in child savings programs.