Duration of Unemployment Benefits, Benefit Years Ended in 1942

F O R T H E U N E M P L O Y E D W O R K E R , the number of weeks he can draw benefits in a year, together with the amount of benefits he draws per week, is of special importance. Duration of benefits is important in determining not only the adequacy of unemployment compensation but also the total cost of benefit payments and hence the solvency of unemployment compensation funds. Consideration of the duration of benefits is therefore of primary importance in planning for the post-war role of unemployment compensation. Duration of benefits is the product of many factors. A claimant's potential duration is determined by the benefit formula in the law and his base-period earnings. His actual duration is influenced by his potential duration and his employment and unemployment experience during the benefit year. The present data for 47 States relate to actual experience under various combinations of these factors in benefit years ended in 1942. A review of past experience under State laws to analyze the duration of benefits actually obtained by claimants under various combinations of these factors is a necessary preliminary to planning for the future.