Expanding UI Access

These resources cover the broad menu of model reforms that help close the gaps in state policies that limit UI access to today’s changing workforce.

Unemployment Compensation in Ohio: Protecting a Critical Safety Net for Working Families and the Economy. This comprehensive report on Ohio's unemployment program focuses on key reforms to assist low-wage unemployed individuals in Ohio, specifically changing the state’s monetary eligibility requirement and expanding part-time eligibility. The report also provides an overview of the positive impact of Ohio's UC program on the state's economy and citizens during the 2001 recession and subsequent job slump.   Click here 

Unemployment Insurance and Social Security Retirement Offsets. This paper provides an overview of federal and state law regarding the reduction (offset) of unemployment insurance benefits due to the receipt of Social Security and Railroad Retirement benefits by jobless individuals. According to NELP's review, in 2003 only 21 of the 53 unemployment insurance jurisdictions offset some or all of these retirement benefits. A table provides state-by-state information. The paper also shows how states can eliminate offsets while complying with federal pension offset guidelines. (December 2003)


UI Priorities for Workers in 2004.  This presentation, prepared for a national conference of state UI directors, details the key areas of concern to worker advocates in 2004, including benefits, funding, employer fraud, and timely payment of benefits. (September 2003)

2003 State UI Legislative Highlights.  This annual review details the 2003 changes in state UI legislation, focusing on those reforms of special significance to low-wage, women and part-time workers.  (July 2003)

The Basics of a State Unemployment Insurance Reform Agenda.  This document summarizes for a broad audience why the unemployment system has failed to keep pace with the changing workforce and the state agenda to help fill the gaps in the program. (December 2002)

Grading Your State's UI Program.  This presentation, prepared for NELP’s 2002 Unemployment Insurance Safety Net Conference, explains the key measures used to evaluate the adequacy of a state’s UI program and presents the latest data evaluating where the states stand compared with the national trends. (December 2002)

Failing the Unemployed: A State-by-State Examination of UI Systems. America's state-by-state patchwork of unemployment benefits systems fails to meet the needs of out-of-work Americans and is in urgent need of repair. Co-authored by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, and the National Employment Law Project.  (March 2002)

Women, Low-Wage Workers and the Unemployment Compensation System: State Legislative Models for Change This report provides a checklist of reform proposals, model state legislation and a summary of the mounting empirical research supporting these initiatives.  (1997)

Detailed information on UI access for low-wage, women, part-time, temporary and immigrant workers can be found by linking to specific worker initiatives. NELP's  state-by-state reports include:

• Part-time Workers: Laid off and Left Out is a comprehensive review of state practices and model reforms to expand access to UI for part-time workers.
• Women Workers: Between a Rock and a Hard Place documents the gaps in state laws that deny unemployment benefits to many working families and the model state reform initiatives.