Unemployment Benefits: The Need for a Strong Federal System

Abstract

"There are major problems within our state-run unemployment programs, and this was showcased by the COVID-19 pandemic when these programs were overrun with claims and disgruntled users. The problem stems from every state having a different program with different criteria with varying amounts of aid. This capstone aims to argue for a federal unemployment benefits system where every American receives a proportionate amount of aid nationwide. This argument is supported by a comparison between two states’ programs, research into how ineffective state governments are during an economic recession, and the huge role the federal government had in bailing out the state programs during the pandemic."