Racial inequality in unemployment insurance receipt

Abstract

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.