Walter Corson
Published: 1982
Total Pages: 136
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This monograph evaluates the overall performance of the Federal Supplemental Benefits (FSB) program and provides a general framework for future consideration of emergency supplemental benefits programs. Following an introduction that provides a summary of findings detailed in the paper, the monograph is divided into five chapters. Chapter 2 provides a historical summary of legislation concerning unemployment benefits duration. It stresses the expanding federal role in such policies and points out assumptions believed to have prompted this expansion. Chapter 3 briefly describes characteristics and labor market experiences of individuals who collected benefits under FSB. Chapter 4 discusses the general allocational effects of extended benefits programs and examines specific effects of the FSB program. Chapter 5 considers the distributional impact of FSB by examining how well it compensated workers for recession-induced unemployment and whether it prevented poverty among lowest income FSB recipients. FSB's relationship to welfare programs is also considered. Chapter 6 provides an overall assessment of FSB by addressing seven basic questions policy makers will have to answer in future recessions. A brief discussion of alternative policies during recessions is included. (YLB)
