Unemployment Insurance Policy in the United States

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Table of Contents

Description of the Problem that Necessitated the Policy
History of the Policy
Policy Description
Feasibility
References

Description of the Problem that Necessitated the Policy

Unemployment was seen by many policymakers as a unique challenge that affected the lives of many people. After the Great Depression, during the second quarter of the 20^th century, the American government signed the famous Social Security Act. The new law contained specific provisions for social welfare, unemployment, and age insurance. The landmark law played a major role in minimizing the major issues that affected many unemployed members of the community (Michaillat, 2012). Despite some of the efforts embraced by different communities, the issue of unemployment has continued to affect the welfare of many citizens in the country.

The current problem of unemployment is widespread in the country. Unemployment has remained one of the social challenges affecting the American population for very many decades. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the unemployment rate in the United States stands at 4.9 percent. This means that over 7.8 million people in the country do not have jobs. The social problem has been observed to affect specific minority groups, such as Hispanics and African Americans (Wong & Klawitter, 2014). Many American women tend to be affected the most by this social issue.

The problem of unemployment is characterized by a number of contributing factors or causes. The first unique cause is the economic status of the country. The decision to outsource labor and the requirement of skilled professionals makes it hard for many people to get new jobs in the country. The issue of discrimination explains why more people from minority racial groups are unemployed in the country (Absar, Bui, & Young, 2013). Lack of adequate education and skills is another reason why many people are unemployed. Homeless persons, ex-prisoners, and individuals with mental conditions find it hard to get sustainable jobs.

Many people in the United States are widely affected by the problem of unemployment. As mentioned earlier, many African Americans and Hispanics find it hard to be employed (Absar et al., 2013). Women are also unable to get good jobs are expected to support their children. Families headed by single parents encounter numerous problems such as poverty and lack of adequate health services. The elderly cannot get jobs because of age and lack of advanced skills. This analysis shows clearly that diversity and gender issues dictate the nature of this problem. Young people and the elderly face similar obstacles. The employed members of minority groups tend to get meager incomes (Wong & Klawitter, 2014). More citizens living in ghettos and rural regions are also affected by this problem.

History of the Policy

By the year 1937, all the states in the country had enacted new laws to support the diverse needs of unemployed citizens. These laws were catalyzed by the Social Security Act of 1935. The ultimate goal of such laws was to ensure more unemployed citizens in the United States were supported by the state governments. This move played a positive role in empowering the members of the population. Consequently, the movie was embraced in an attempt to deal with various challenges, such as homelessness, poverty, and inequality (Absar et al., 2013).

Within the past six decades, new changes have characterized the unemployment insurance program. Such changes have been aimed at supporting the needs of more people and eventually address the challenges affecting them. The policy has been focusing on better programs and initiatives to empower more citizens. New amendments “such as illegibility and methods of delivery have been suggested to improve the unemployment insurance policy” (Wong & Klawitter, 2014, p. 6). Past studies have shown clearly that some of the attempts to deal with unemployment in the country have been successful. This is the case because the government has been on the frontline to support the program. However, experts believe strongly that the policy has been unsuccessful because poverty and homelessness are unique problems affecting the American population. This means that new considerations and amendments are needed to support the needs of more unemployed citizens.

Policy Description

The unemployment insurance policy is one of the landmark programs aimed at supporting the needs of more citizens in the country. The program is supported by the government every year. The financial resources provided by the government are available to unemployed members of society. The program supports 85 percent of the country’s population. However, unemployment insurance does not cover self-employed citizens, domestic workers, and farmers (Michaillat, 2012). Individuals legible for these unemployment benefits have to fulfill specific requirements.

The policy provides unemployment benefits in terms of monies. Such finances can be used by the recipients to pursue their personal needs. Beneficiaries can receive between 130 and 5,500 dollars, depending on their needs (Fabre, Pallage, & Zimmermann, 2014). The money is used to purchase household products and food materials. As mentioned earlier, the individuals supported or covered by the program must be unemployed. The government follows strict eligibility criteria for the program. To begin with, individuals who have worked for several months are not eligible. People who have been fired because of misconduct cannot quality for the benefits. Employees who quit voluntarily are not included in the program. Individuals receiving training programs are excluded from employment benefits. This means that “more citizens who qualify for the benefits should be unemployed and not earning any income” (Fabre et al., 2014, p. 12). This fact explains why self-employed persons and farmers do not receive such benefits.

In order to implement the policy successfully, different states have designed unique strategies to support the needs of unemployed citizens (Fabre et al., 2014). However, it is agreeable that the program is governed and guided by the federal government. The states liaise with different employers in order to support the program. The federal government also supports specific programs in order to support more unemployed people in the country. These programs focus on federal employees and veterans.

The successful implementation of the program has led to positive results. For instance, veterans and many unemployed citizens have been able to lead better lives. The financial benefits are usually democratic and just. This is the case because individuals who meet the criteria receive the benefits. The other issue is that the policy is consistent with the values of the social work profession. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) code of ethics outlines the principles, standards, and values that can guide the conduct of social workers. Such codes focus on the best approaches capable of supporting the needs of the targeted members of the community (Michaillat, 2012). People’s rights and outcomes should also be taken seriously by social welfare workers. That being the case, employees involved in the program embrace the core values of the social work profession. The ultimate goal is to support more people and make it easier for them to deal with the challenges affecting them.

The policy is guided by powerful values and standards outlined by the federal government. Issues such as equality are taken seriously during the policy implementation process. A keen analysis of the policy appears to contribute to Saint Leo’s core value of responsible stewardship. Similarly, Saint Leo’s core value of responsible stewardship can guide many social workers. According to this value, social workers can embrace the best initiatives and approaches in order to promote community development.

Resources should be used adequately to support the welfare of the surrounding community (Shaefer, 2010). Saint Leo embraces such initiatives in an attempt to engage in sustainable social welfare practices. Integrity is taken seriously in the learning institution in order to offer exemplary services to different beneficiaries. This discussion shows clearly that the individuals behind the program focus on the best approaches to support the needs of more individuals in society. However, experts have argued that some ethical issues have continued to affect the effectiveness of the program. For instance, citizens from minority communities might be discriminated against whenever trying to receive such benefits. This challenge makes it hard for them to receive the targeted benefits (Shaefer, 2010).

As mentioned earlier, the unemployment insurance program is funded by different employers and the federal government. These funders present adequate financial resources to support the welfare of unemployed American citizens. In terms of administration, the federal and state governments use powerful standards to identify individuals who qualify for the benefits. The next thing is ensuring that the benefits are available to the targeted beneficiaries (Fabre et al., 2014). This strategy has made it easier for more American citizens to realize their potentials.

The federal government monitors and oversees the program. Each state focuses on the best initiatives and action plans in an attempt to support more unemployed persons. Because of such measures and considerations, the policy has continued to support the diverse needs of many people in the country. Although the problems of poverty and homelessness affect many people, the program has delivered positive results that cannot be underestimated (Fabre et al., 2014). Finally, social welfare professionals believe strongly that the policy will exist for the longest time possible. This is the case because the policy supported and funded by the government. Since unemployment continues to affect more people, the program will be used to support their unique social welfare needs.

Feasibility

Many people in the United States have continued to support the unemployment insurance program. The policy has attracted the support of the political class for very many years. Since 1937, the policy has been funded by the federal government, thus making it one of the most sustainable social welfare programs in the United States (Shaefer, 2010). Consequently, the welfare program continues to support the needs of many unemployed people in the country. This fact shows clearly that the policy is politically feasible. The second issue to consider is the opinions presented by different members of the public.

According to these stakeholders, the policy has made it easier for more people to lead better lives despite the issues associated with it. That being the case, more individuals in society are expected to support the policy. The move will make it easier for more unemployed people in the country to realize their potentials and take their children to school. Specific social problems such as poverty and homelessness will be addressed through the use of the unemployment insurance policy. The decision to support the policy will play a positive role in empowering more individuals in different parts of the country.

The second issue to consider is the economic feasibility of this program. For over eight decades, the federal government has collaborated with different employers to fund this social welfare program. This practice has made it easier for more people to deal with the challenges affecting them. The program continues to address the problems associated with joblessness in different parts of the country. Although the same issues affect many societies in the country, the most agreeable fact is that the government will record positive results through the use of this program. The inclusion of more stakeholders and payers in the future will ensure the program is economically feasible.

The current economic performance recorded in the United States will support this social welfare program (Fabre et al., 2014). However, new considerations should be identified in order to ensure the policy supports the greatest number of unemployed persons in the United States. It will also be appropriate for the American government to increase the funds available to unemployed persons in the country. Shaefer (2010) believes that “individuals at risk of different diseases and social problems, the elderly, and minority groups should be targeted by every new program aimed at dealing with various problems” (p. 442). The strategy will play a critical role in addressing most of the challenges affecting the unemployed members of the American community.

Finally, the issue of administration has been taken seriously within the past eight decades. State governments have been hiring the most suitable people to manage the policies. Consequently, more people in the country have benefited significantly from the unemployment insurance program. The states follow the stipulations and standards outlined by the federal government. This strategy has made the program successful. However, some suggestions can be presented in order to ensure the policy supports the needs of more citizens in the country. For instance, social workers can be involved in order to identify more people who qualify for the program.

Such professionals will ensure the finances are available to more underprivileged people in society (Fujita, 2010). The social workers will embrace the best ethical values and principles outlined by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). By so doing, the unemployment insurance program will continue to support the diverse needs of more members in the society. The ideas and recommendations presented by the social workers will encourage the federal government to allocate more funds to the welfare program (Wong & Klawitter, 2014). The approach will empower more members of the community, deal with various social problems, and eventually improve the living standards of more individuals in different communities across the country.

In conclusion, the unemployment insurance policy has supported many people in the country. The policy has tackled the problem and unemployment and the other social issues associated with it. This sustainable policy is expected to deliver positive results in the future. The government should allocate more funds and focus on specific people who need such services the most (Fujita, 2010). This move will address most of the social problems facing many citizens in the United States.

References

Absar, R., Bui, T., & Young, K. (2013). The effect of extending unemployment insurance benefits on state unemployment rates. The Public Purpose, 11(1), 27-47.

Fabre, A., Pallage, S., & Zimmermann, C. (2014). Universal basic income versus unemployment insurance. Working Paper Series, 1(1), 1-24.

Fujita, S. (2010). Economic effects of the unemployment insurance benefit. Business Review, 1(1), 1-19.

Michaillat, P. (2012). Do matching frictions explain unemployment: not in bad times. The American Economic Review, 102(4), 1721-1750.

Shaefer, L. (2010). Identifying key barriers to unemployment insurance for disadvantaged workers in the United States. Journal of Social Policy, 39(1), 439-460.

Wong, E., & Klawitter, M. (2014). Policies targeting low-income workers. Unemployment Insurance Reform, 1(1), 1-8.

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