Improving State Unemployment Insurance Technology: A Guide for Advocates

Introduction Technological advancements in unemployment insurance (UI) systems are typically viewed as inherently good, but often they are hindered in their ability to improve program access and benefit delivery because they are designed and implemented without consideration for those who use and depend on the system most: claimants. And so while historically, legal aid and policy unemployment advocates have focused their efforts on unemployment eligibility issues, as more and more states implement new technology projects, it’s becoming clear that these technology upgrades can actually create new barriers to benefits that are even more impactful than barriers of eligibility. Therefore, now more than ever, claimant advocates need to be in the room when conversations about technology happen, to ensure that upgrades actually improve equitable access to benefits.