As President Trump's tariffs loom, economists warn of potential job losses and heightened unemployment, raising fears of a recession. A report from the National Employment Law Project shows that current unemployment benefits fall short, with one-fifth of surveyed workers stating these benefits do not meet their financial needs. Variability occurs state by state, with some replacing only 29% of lost wages. Navigating the benefits system presents barriers, including tech issues and payment delays, which persisted beyond the pandemic, complicating access to essential support for many workers.
Of the nearly 1,500 workers surveyed, about one in five said they found that unemployment benefits were 'not adequate to meet their financial needs,' though this figure varied by state.
In states where coverage was less generous, workers were more likely to express that their benefits were inadequate.
Many respondents said they faced challenges when trying to navigate unemployment benefits, between tech issues and delayed payments, exacerbated during the pandemic.
While fewer applicants had issues with payments overall, they continued to experience underpayment and delays receiving checks, not to mention being denied benefits outright.
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