Antipoverty Effects of Unemployment Insurance

Abstract

[Excerpt] This report examines the antipoverty effects of unemployment insurance benefits over the past recession and through the beginning of the economic recovery. The analysis highlights the impact of the additional and expanded unemployment insurance (UI) benefits available to unemployed workers through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA, RL. 111-5) and the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC08) program (Title IV of RL. 110-252). In 2009, approximately 62% of all unemployed individuals were receiving UI benefits and thus were directly impacted by legislative changes to the UI system.