Unemployment Insurance (UI) is a state-federal program established in 1935 to insure workers against brief spells of involuntary job loss.
In recent years, critics have argued that UI does too little to address the problems faced by dislocated workers and tends to exclude workers who do not have a traditional full-time, full-year work history, particularly low-wage women. Upjohn researchers are examining other strategies—including work sharing and short-time compensation—to determine their effectiveness for both workers and employers.
Through independent and collaborative research, the Upjohn Institute continues to seek greater understanding of the best ways to replace income lost through unemployment and to promote speedy reemployment.
CARES Act provided a lifeline to low-wage workers and the economy
Pandemic benefits gave the lowest quarter of earners a weekly pay boost of 20 percent or more, paper finds.
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State unemployment insurance reserves won't be enough for a recession
An average recession would cause 18 states to exhaust their unemployment insurance reserves.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance would help gig, contract, self-employed workers affected by COVID-19
DUA is normally paid to workers who lose their jobs, but do not qualify for regular UI benefits
