UI Non-Filer Supplement to CPS

CPS UI Non-Filer Supplement

This is the lead in introduction to the supplement.

>PRESUP<

This month we are asking some additional questions about unemployment insurance benefits and job search. People who have previously worked can apply to receive these benefits, which replace part of their income while they look for a job.

Accessed after lead in if interviewer needs to explain the purpose of the supplement.

HELP SCREEN:

>REASON<

Your cooperation is important because the data collected will be used by the U.S. Department of Labor to learn more about individuals experience with unemployment benefits. Analysis from this survey data will help improve the U.S. unemployment insurance system.

>Q1< [Fill: Have you/Has name] worked at a job or business at any time during the past 12 months?

1. Yes

2. No

_______________________________________________________________________

>Q2< [Fill (Have you/Has name)] applied for unemployment benefits since [Fill (your/her/his)] last job?

1. Yes

2. No

________________________________________________________________________

>Q3<

[Fill (Have you/Has name)] received any unemployment benefits since [Fill (your/her/his)] last job?

1. Yes

2. No

________________________________________________________________________

>Q4< In what month and year did [fill (you/he/she)] start receiving unemployment benefits?

________________________________________________________________________

>Q5<

Did [Fill (you/name)] receive unemployment benefits last week?

1. Yes

2. No

>Q6<

Why didn’t [Fill (you/name)] receive any unemployment benefits last week?

One choice allowed.

Applied and Waiting

1. Waiting for approval of application

2. Application approved, but waiting period not over

Denied Claim / Did Not Qualify

3. Used up (exhausted) all benefits

4. Left job voluntarily, quit, or dismissed for conduct or cause

5. Earnings or hours too low to qualify

6. Strike/work stoppage

7. Was self-employed or an independent contractor

8. Disqualified (fraud, failed to report on time, refused work referral/work offer, incarceration)

9. Withheld for child support or overpayment

10. Different pay periods (every two weeks, monthly)

11. Other (specify) ___________ - to Q8a

______________________________________________________________________________

>Q6a< What is that other reason?

Other Specify: ________________________________________________

>Q7<

Why [Fill (haven’t you/hasn’t name)] received any unemployment benefits since [Fill (your/her/his)] last job?

One answer allowed.

Applied and Waiting

1. Waiting for approval of application

2. Application approved, but waiting period not over

Denied Claim / Did Not Qualify

3. Used up (exhausted) all benefits

4. Left job voluntarily, quit, or dismissed for conduct or cause

5. Earnings or hours too low to qualify

6. Strike/work stoppage

7. Was self-employed or an independent contractor

8. Disqualified (fraud, failed to report on time, refused work referral/work offer, incarceration)

9. Withheld for child support or overpayment

10. Different pay periods (every two weeks, monthly)

11. Other (specify)

>Q7a< What is that other reason?

Other Specify: ________________________________________________

>Q8<

There are a variety of reasons why people might not apply for unemployment benefits. What are the reasons [Fill (you have/name has)] not applied for unemployment benefits since [Fill (your/her/his)] last job? [Interviewer does not read options out loud] MARK ALL THAT APPLY AND PROBE: Was there another reason?

1. Plan to file soon

2. Voluntarily left last job, retired or was self-employed

Knowledge Reasons

3. Did not think eligible

4. Did not know benefits existed

5. Did not know where or how to apply

6. Used up or exhausted benefits

7. Last employer didn’t give any information

Job-Related Reasons

8. Expect to start a new job

9. Expect to be recalled to work soon

Problems With Application

10. Application was too confusing, technical, or difficult to understand

11. Tried to get assistance with application but couldn’t get help

12. Tried to file by phone or internet but application system wasn’t functioning

Attitudinal / Personal Reasons

13. Too much like charity or welfare

14. Worried might impact future jobs

15. Does not need money / Benefits not expected to be large enough or last long enough

16. Expected application to be rejected

17. Too much work/hassle to apply or meet requirements

Other Problems

18. No transportation

19. No telephone, no computer, or internet

20. Application or assistance is not available in their language

21. Other (specify) __________

>Q8a< What is that other reason?

Other Specify: ________________________________________________

>Q9<

Why didn’t [Fill (you/name)] believe [Fill (you were/she was/he was)] eligible for unemployment benefits?

1. Didn’t earn/work enough/worked part time

2. Didn’t have a recent job

3. Had voluntarily left/quit last job/retired

4. Was fired from last job

5. Was self-employed or an independent contractor

6. Told not eligible by former employer or office

7. Received severance pay

8. Other-Specify _______________

>Q9a< What is that other reason?

Other Specify: ________________________________________________

>Q10<

Of the reasons you just mentioned, what is the main reason [Fill (you/name)] did not apply for UI benefits?

>Q11< [Fill (Were you/Was name)] a union member or covered by a union contract on [Fill (your/his/her)] last job?

<1> Yes

<2> No

>A1< Now, we also have a few questions about your experience looking for a new job over the last 2 months.

How many jobs [Fill have you/has name] applied for, if any, in the last 2 months?

0. 0

1. 1 to 10

2. 11 to 20

3. 21 to 80

4. 81 or more

>A2< To accept any of the jobs [Fill you/name] applied for, would [Fill you/he/she] have to move or relocate?

1. Yes

2. No

>A3< [Fill Have you/Has name] had any problems finding jobs to apply for?

1. Yes

2. No

>A4< What are the problems that [Fill you have/Name has] had in finding jobs to apply for?

1. Too few jobs for what I am trained to do / for my education level

2. The wages are too low

3. The benefits associated with the job (pension, health insurance) are not good

4. The hours of work are too few

5. The hours of work are not convenient

6. Jobs do not have flexible enough work schedule

7. The jobs do not have good promotion potential

8. Most of the suitable jobs are too far away

9. My health keeps me from being able to do many jobs

10. Not searching hard enough

11. Other, specify

>A4a< What is that other problem?

Other Specify: ________________________________________________

>A5< How many of those jobs [Fill you/name] applied for in the last 2 months led to an interview?

0. 0

1. 1 or 2

2. 3 to 7

3. 8 or more

>B1< How many job offers, if any, [Fill have you/has name] received since [Fill you/he/she] last worked?

0. 0

1. 1

2. 2 or more

>B2< Thinking about the [fill if B1>1 best] job offer that [Fill you/name] received, why did [Fill you/he/she] turn that job offer down? [Interviewer does not read options out loud]

One answer only

1. I have not turned down a job offer

2. The wage was too low

3. The benefits associated with the job (pension, health insurance) were not good

4. The hours of work were too few

5. The hours of work were not convenient

6. It did not offer a flexible enough schedule

7. The job was not in my usual occupation/would not use my skills well

8. The job did not have good promotion potential

9. The job would have required me to move, relocate to another part of the country

10. The commute to the job would have been too long

11. Personal reasons for turning down the job (e.g., ill health, could not arrange child care, not physically able to do the job)

12. Other, specify

>B2a<

Other Specify: ________________________________________________

>B3< How long ago did [Fill you/Name] receive [fill your/his/her] [Fill best] offer?

1. Within the last week

2. Longer than a week ago but less than a month

3. 1 to 2 months ago

4. 3 to 6 months ago

5. 6 or more months ago

>B4< If [Fill you/Name] were offered that job again today, would [Fill you/he/she] accept it or would [Fill you/he/she] still turn it down?

1. Accept the job

2. Turn down the job

3. I have not turned down the job offer

>B5< If [Fill you were/Name was] were offered a job similar to [Fill your/his/her] last job, would [Fill you/he/she] be willing to accept less pay than [Fill you/he/she] received at that job?

1. Yes

2. No

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