Policy context: In 2005, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) offered grants to states to implement the Reemployment and Eligibility Assessment (REA) program, which required new UI claimants to undergo an eligibility review to confirm compliance with work search requirements. Nevada was among the first states to implement REA but, in addition to the eligibility review, the Nevada REA program provided claimants with job counseling. In 2015, following promising evidence on the effects of the Nevada program, DOL instructed states to use their Federal RESEA grants to implement programs that required new UI claimants to both undergo an eligibility review and receive job counseling.

Research design: Conduct an RCT impact study that randomly assigns RESEA-eligible UI claimants into the program group (required to participate in the RESEA program) or into the control group (exempt from program requirements). Use Nevada administrative data to estimate the impacts of the program on UI spells, UI benefit amounts collected, employment rates, and earnings. Also, conduct an implementation study that uses information form stakeholder interviews, document reviews, and program observations to examine how Nevada RESEA was implemented and the methods and processes used for delivering services. 

Policy impact: The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 authorized the permanent and nationwide implementation of the RESEA program and encouraged states to conduct evaluations to build evidence that meet the high or moderate causal evidence rating requirement of DOL’s Clearinghouse for Labor Evaluation and Research (CLEAR). The current study will produce evidence that meet the high causal evidence CLEAR criteria, thereby contributing to the portfolio of evidence-based practices in this policy area and justifying continued Federal funding for the Nevada RESEA program.

Click here for the Nevada RESEA Interim Report.

Click here for the Interim Report infographic.