A Mathematica study on how claimants' attitudes towards work search change over time

Abstract

This publication reports findings of a Mathematica Policy Research study of Unemployment Insurance (UI) recipients in two regions in California. The study was conducted to gain an understanding of short- and medium-term adjustments after their job losses, and focused on such issues as how recipients' job search strategies change over time, the role of UI benefits and other strategies unemployed workers use to cope with financial hardships, and UI recipients' satisfaction with the program. The study provides insights that are useful to policymakers who are interested in evaluating the extent to which the UI program is meeting its goal of providing temporary income support to unemployed workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own, while also encouraging them to return to work quickly. It also provides insights about how the UI system might be improved to better meet this goal.