/ thread on jobless benefits. debate we SHOULD have.

ya& #39; know what I would like to see the econ world fired up about **instead** of the possible work disincentives from jobless benefits? MAKING THE SYSTEM WORK!!
let& #39;s talk about the **brokenness** of unemployment insurance system and its inability to administer benefits. MANY unemployed workers who eligible for benefits are NOT getting them, especially those who have used up their regular state benefits.
talked with someone who I know well who& #39;d been getting jobless benefits. after she filed her weekly update, was told she was not longer eligible.

I asked how long she& #39;d gotten them. was 26 weeks. they didn& #39;t tell her to apply for the extra weeks from the federal government!!!
wtf? in fact, she does need to re-apply. (frankly I did not know that. what a stupid system!) if she had not called me she would not have known. how many on UI know someone who is an expert on the federal extension of jobless benefits????
if Congress passes legislation but people do NOT get the money, then they might as well as not even pass it. makes the "work disincentive" debate irrelevant. economists, could we please roll up our sleeves and focus on economic costs of a safety net that is not working??
automatic enhancements of jobless benefit tied to economic conditions, would force us to set up an administrative system ahead of a recession. we would modernize the system. AND GET MONEY TO PEOPLE. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/21/opinion/biden-stimulus-checks.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/2...
other reforms too! here& #39;s me on why we cannot forget the long-term unemployed. the benefits they get allow them time for demand to return and find a job that uses their skills. that& #39;s good for their paycheck and overall productivity. https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2020-11-19/congress-don-t-forget-the-long-term-unemployed?sref=YAR8Qcu4">https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/a...
You can follow @Claudia_Sahm.
Tip: mention @twtextapp on a Twitter thread with the keyword “unroll” to get a link to it.

Latest Threads Unrolled: