NGA Center for Best Practices

The Unemployment Insurance System is a federal-state program that provides unemployment benefits to eligible workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own (as determined under State law), and meet other eligibility requirements of State law.

Unemployment insurance payments (benefits) are intended to provide temporary financial assistance to unemployed workers who meet the requirements of State law.
Each State administers a separate unemployment insurance program within guidelines established by Federal law.
Eligibility for unemployment insurance, benefit amounts and the length of time benefits are available are determined by the State law under which unemployment insurance claims are established.
In the majority of States, benefit funding is based solely on a tax imposed on employers. Three States require minimal employee contributions.

Focus of Center Activities

The Center for Best Practices provides technical assistance to state policymakers and program administrators on federal legislative changes to the UI system and funding related issues. The Center can assist states to assess existing eligibility and benefit polices and facilitate the sharing of policies and practices across states. The Center also monitors state policies and initiatives in related systems such as the Employment Service and workforce development. The Center disseminates this information to Governors and their policy advisors through conference calls, conferences and issue briefs.