My research is at the intersection of Development Economics, Applied Microeconomics and Public Policy. My thesis focused on the effect of Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, a social assistance program targeted on the poor elderly in India. I examine three essential questions; first, on how political and social networks affect access to this program; second, if the program impacts the household welfare of the recipients. In the last and the third part of the research, I look into the welfare effects generated when women receive this program.