Racial inequality in unemployment insurance receipt

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Kuka, Elira; Stuart, Bryan A.
• 署名单位: George Washington University; National Bureau of Economic Research; Federal Reserve System - USA; Federal Reserve Bank - Philadelphia
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF PUBLIC ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0047-2727
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2025.105401
• 发表日期: 2025
• 关键词: Racial inequality; unemployment insurance; social insurance

摘要

This paper studies differences in unemployment insurance (UI) benefit receipt among White and Black individuals. We combine data containing detailed information on individuals' work history and UI receipt with state-level UI regulations. Black individuals who separate from a job are 30 % less likely to receive UI and receive 46 % fewer benefits than White individuals. These gaps are similar in magnitude among individuals who are likely eligible for UI. Statistical decompositions indicate that 37 % of the gap in UI receipt and 65 % of the gap in UI benefit amount are explained by Black workers' lower pre-unemployment earnings and higher tendency to live in the South.