The Trump administration on Monday proposed new federal regulations that would require people applying for or receiving unemployment benefits to conduct at least five job searches per week; many states currently require two or three.
Currently, many U.S. states require two to three qualifying work searches per week, while only four states require five, and some require only one work search activity to qualify for benefits. The Department of Labor said the change is necessary to create consistent eligibility requirements nationwide and to “improve program integrity and strengthen labor market attachment.” The proposed rule, set to be published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, gives the public 60 days after publication to comment.
The Labor Department acknowledged the policy could temporarily raise costs as states adapt, but described it as necessary to ensure uniform application of eligibility rules. The proposal would count a range of activities as qualifying work searches, including contacting a prospective employer, registering with a job placement agency or union, and would allow states to use a points-based system to account for local labor market conditions.
Labor advocates criticized the proposal. Michele Evermore, senior director of economic security and worker transitions at the National Employment Law Project, a worker advocacy group, said in a statement, “Not only is the proposed change devastating to claimants who may not have five search options for every week they are unemployed, but it will likely cost states hundreds of thousands of dollars.” She also said nearly all states would have to change their claimant intake forms and technology, while many would have to rewrite laws to meet the rule. Evermore said employers want candidates enthusiastic about job opportunities, not “ticking boxes for the work search form.”
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Unemployed workers in many states would face a higher burden to prove they are actively seeking work, potentially affecting their ability to receive benefits.
- States may face significant administrative costs to update systems and rewrite laws to comply with the new requirements.
- The proposal would create a national minimum work-search standard, reducing variation in eligibility rules across states.
Background
The unemployment compensation program is administered by states within federal guidelines. Work search requirements currently vary widely: some states require only one activity per week, while a few already require five. The Trump administration's proposed rule would set a uniform national floor for the first time.
Key Perspectives
Trump administration/Labor Department: says the change is needed to create consistent eligibility requirements and improve program integrity, and that the minimum standard would hold states accountable for ensuring claimants are "actively seeking work through a meaningful engagement with the labor market."
Labor advocates (National Employment Law Project): argue the five-search threshold is too high, would be hard for unemployed people to meet, and would be costly for states to administer. Michele Evermore called the rule "devastating to claimants who may not have five search options for every week they are unemployed" and said it would likely cost states "hundreds of thousands of dollars" to implement.
What to Watch
- The 60-day public comment period will gauge opposition and could lead to changes before the rule is finalised.
- States may push back against the requirements or face legislative hurdles to implement them.
- If adopted, the rule could face legal challenges from states or advocacy groups.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 2 sources: 11 supported.
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- SupportedEvermore said the proposal was devastating to claimants who might not have five search options each week and would likely cost states hundreds of thousands of dollars.Moneywatch - CBSNews.com: ““Not only is the proposed change devastating to claimants who may not have five search options for every week they are unemployed, but it will likely cost states hundreds of thousands of dollars,” Michele Evermore”
- SupportedEvermore said employers want enthusiastic candidates, not people “ticking boxes for the work search form.”Moneywatch - CBSNews.com: “Employers "want candidates enthusiastic about their job opportunities, not ticking boxes for the work search form," she added.”
- SupportedThe Labor Department said the change would “improve program integrity and strengthen labor market attachment.”Moneywatch - CBSNews.com: “A national minimum weekly work search standard would "improve program integrity and strengthen labor market attachment," the Labor Department said in its proposal.”
- SupportedThe Trump administration proposed stricter work-search rules for jobless benefits.Moneywatch - CBSNews.com: “The Trump administration on Monday proposed stiffer rules for Americans seeking unemployment benefits that, if adopted, would require them to conduct more weekly job searches.”
- SupportedThe administration proposed the rule on Monday for people applying for or receiving unemployment benefits.Moneywatch - CBSNews.com: “The proposed Department of Labor regulations, set to be published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, would require people applying for or collecting jobless aid”
- Partly supportedThe proposal would require at least five work searches per week.Moneywatch - CBSNews.com: “would require people applying for or collecting jobless aid to complete at least five unique work searches per week.”
- SupportedMany states require two or three qualifying work searches per week, only four require five, and some require just one activity.Moneywatch - CBSNews.com: “Currently, many U.S. states require two to three qualifying work searches per week, while only four states require five. Some states require only one work search activity to qualify for unemployment benefits.”
- SupportedThe Labor Department said the change was needed for consistent eligibility requirements nationwide.Moneywatch - CBSNews.com: “The Trump administration said the change is necessary to create consistent eligibility requirements for unemployment benefits nationwide.”
- SupportedThe proposed rule was set to be published Tuesday and would allow 60 days after publication for public comment.Moneywatch - CBSNews.com: “The public has 60 days following publication of the proposed rule to offer comment.”
- SupportedThe Labor Department acknowledged the policy could temporarily raise costs as states adapt.Moneywatch - CBSNews.com: “The Labor Department acknowledged that the policy could temporarily raise costs as states and jobless aid applicants adapt to the new work requirement”
- SupportedQualifying activities could include contacting a prospective employer or registering with a job placement agency or union, and states could use a points-based system to account for local labor market conditions.Moneywatch - CBSNews.com: “registering with or contacting a job placement agency or union would also count as a qualified work search. ... states could adapt the weekly job search threshold to account for local labor market conditions through a points-based system”
- SupportedAdvocates said the five-search threshold was too high.US Top News and Analysis: “Consumer advocates said the proposed work-search baseline of five qualifying activities per week exceeded that in most states and would make it more difficult for many applicants to qualify for assistance.”