A separate study from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), another left-leaning think tank, estimated that the figures dramatically undercounted the number of unemployed people because of the various clogs in the system.
The EPI study, based on survey data, found that in addition to those who successfully filed unemployment claims in April, an additional 36 percent couldn’t successfully complete the application and another 20 percent didn’t even try because it was too difficult.
“After accounting for these workers — who applied but could not get through or did not try because of the difficult process — about half of potential UI applicants are actually receiving benefits,” the study’s authors, Ben Zipperer and Elise Gould, wrote.
The Hill
April 29, 2020
Meanwhile, Stratton cited a study from the Economic Policy Institute that showed few black people have the luxury of living and working exclusively at home as Gov. J.B. Pritzker has ordered. It showed 80 percent of black workers nationwide have no choice but to go to work in person.
NPR
April 29, 2020
“This study validates the anecdotes and news reports we’re seeing about people having trouble filing for benefits they need and deserve,” the Economic Policy Institute’s Ben Zipperer told Reuters of the results.
Common Dreams
April 29, 2020
Five weeks ago, my colleagues Timothy J. Bartik, Brad Hershbein, Bryan A. Stuart, and I made the case for early and substantial aid to these governments, and in recent weeks, so have Brookings’s Matthew Fiedler and Amy Liu, the Economic Policy Institute, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Vox’s Dylan Matthews, and many others.
The Brookings Institution
April 29, 2020
An estimated 7 million to 12 million out-of-work Americans are struggling to get access to the unemployment benefits they may be owed, according to a new survey from the Economic Policy Institute.
VICE
April 29, 2020
Tens of millions of Americans were pushed out of the workforce during the coronavirus lockdown, with U.S. Department of Labor statistics showing that more than 26.5 million people have applied for unemployment benefits since mid-March. A new online survey conducted by the Economic Policy Institute found that between 8.9 million and 13.9 million people were shut out of the unemployment system entirely, citing problems ranging from clogged phone lines to long-outdated state-run computer systems.
Newsweek
April 29, 2020
Millions of Americans who lost their jobs over the past couple of weeks have been unable to collect needed benefits, according to a new survey by the Economic Policy Institute.
Between March 22 and April 18, 21.5 million unemployment claims were filed, according to the Department of Labor.
But according to the left-leaning EPI, the official number understates the demand for jobless benefits. EPI estimates that an additional 8 million to 13 million laid-off workers would have filed claims during those five weeks had the unemployment filing system not been overwhelmed. (EPI surveyed 24,607 adults.)
Yahoo Finance
April 29, 2020
The online survey was conducted by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI). Based on its gathered data, the group determined that 3-4 out of 10 workers left unemployed by coronavirus have been unable to register for benefits. It also found that two of out 10 have not tried to apply.
“This study validates the anecdotes and news reports we’re seeing about people having trouble filing for benefits they need and deserve,” said Ben Zipperer, a co-author of the survey with Elise Gould.
EPI used Google surveys to collect results from 24,607 Americans from April 13-24
Government statistics show that around 26.5 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits since mid-March, the approximate time when most businesses began to shut down. Zipperer and Gould explained in their report how the data showed that between 8.9-13.9 million people have been effectively shut out from benefits. Statistics released by the Labor Department also found that only 71% of people who successfully filed for benefits are actually receiving their payments.
EPI also guessed that due to the alarming number of workers unable to file, the official unemployment numbers by much lower than reality.
“These findings imply the official count of unemployment insurance claims likely drastically understates the extent of employment reductions and the need for economic relief during the coronavirus crisis,”
International Business Times
April 29, 2020
In February, women accounted for 50 percent of the payroll and in March they accounted for 58.8 percent of lost jobs, according to the Economic Policy Institute, a Washington-based nonprofit organization that provides economic statistics and analysis.
The Miami Herald
April 29, 2020
According to the Economic Policy Institute, productivity has increased 77 percent since 1973, but wages have decreased significantly, and Small Business Trends says 69 percent of small businesses start at home. We often need fulfillment outside of our primary employment, which suggests we should be doing something else on the side (53 percent of women have side gigs). Pair that with the expectation to monetize a hobby and the pressure compounds. There is an enormous burden to do.
Essence
April 29, 2020