Balancing Competing Demands: Getting Information for Strengthening the UI System

Policy Evaluations | Monetary Eligibility and Policy | Nonmonetary Eligibility |
Trust Fund Issues | Administrative Performance | Testing

Unemployment insurance programs strive to balance two sometimes opposing forces: the needs of employees and those of employers. State policymakers must consider the trade-offs in meeting these needs while providing adequate benefits and coverage and running programs efficiently. As federal/state partnerships continue to evolve, there will be an ongoing need to reevaluate UI programs. Mathematica Policy Research has extensive experience testing proposed UI policies and monitoring how well the existing system works. We have also helped policymakers reduce program administration costs.

Designing UI Policy Evaluations

For more than 25 years, our findings have provided important counsel to policymakers. We have broad knowledge of the UI system and have designed and tested many different options, including job search assistance and reemployment bonuses, for improving the system’s performance.

Examining Monetary Eligibility and Benefits Policy

We are experienced in simulating how different monetary eligibility policies would affect workers’ benefits and costs for the UI program. We have also analyzed how different ex-tended benefits policies affect workers’ job search behavior and back-to- work incentives.

Monitoring Nonmonetary Eligibility

To provide information about how state policies affect denial rates for nonmonetary reasons, we have looked at enforcement practices and monitoring requirements. To improve the detection of ineligible claims, we have isolated administrative factors that help identify ineligibility. We have also analyzed the influence of penalties and how the monitoring process operates.

Analyzing Trust Fund Issues

Ensuring the adequacy of the UI Trust Fund has high policy relevance. We have studied how programs that broaden UI benefit payments affect the fund. We have also developed models to analyze benefit outlays and tax receipts under a state system.

Assessing UI Administrative Performance

Assessing efficiency has grown increasingly important as policymakers have sought ways to cut costs. Our staff are experienced in evaluating initiatives that monitor and improve UI system performance. We have expertise in designing and testing performance measures and have helped states align their performance data with federal requirements. In addition, we have a wealth of experience in designing and conducting surveys of client satisfaction with UI and other programs.

Testing Innovative Programs

To help policymakers project the feasibility and cost of innovations proposed for the UI system, we have tested and evaluated experimental programs. For example, we have looked at short-time compensation, reemployment bonuses, job search assistance, and other proposals. Our findings have helped policymakers make decisions about implementing innovations in ongoing programs.

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