A Letter and Encouragement: Does Information Increase Postsecondary Enrollment of UI Recipients?

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Barr, Andrew; Turner, Sarah
• 署名单位: Texas A&M University System; Texas A&M University College Station; University of Virginia; National Bureau of Economic Research
• 刊物名称: AMERICAN ECONOMIC JOURNAL-ECONOMIC POLICY
• ISSN/ISSBN: 1945-7731
• DOI: 10.1257/pol.20160570
• 发表日期: 2018
• 页码: 42-68
• 关键词: displaced workers; earnings losses; IMPACT

摘要

For individuals who experience job loss, enrollment in postsecondary programs may provide an opportunity to improve future employment outcomes. However, decisions to enroll may be hampered by insufficient information about the benefits and costs and the necessary steps and assistance available to facilitate such investments. Using variation in the dissemination and timing of letters sent to Unemployment Insurance (UI) recipients containing this information, we find that individuals sent the information are 40 percent more likely to enroll. These findings suggest that well coordinated information interventions delivered with institutional support may be more effective than raising the generosity of existing government programs in increasing participation. (JEL E24, E32, I23, I26, J24, J31, J65)