Unemployment Insurance (UI) is the main pillar of support for unemployed workers. UI benefit payments are critically important in maintaining family income, reducing poverty and alleviating economic hardship, particularly during periods of long-term unemployment. UI benefits assume a larger role during periods of long-term unemployment.

During recent years, the number of workers facing long-term unemployment and unable to find work before exhausting their unemployment has been at an all-time high. Yet, the Bush administration and Republican congressional leaders have refused to offer unemployment help to jobless workers until public pressure or worsening economic conditions move them to act.

Unemployment insurance has been a critical safety net for the nation's workers and the national economy. It helps workers weather tough times and provides a cost-effective boost to the economy during downturns. America's workers deserve expanded unemployment insurance that covers all jobless workers and provides adequate benefits for them.

• Unemployment Insurance by State: Weekly and average benefits, percentage of workers who have exhausted benefits and more (PDF).
• See what can be done to improve the Temporary Emergency Unemployment Compensation program.
• Visit the National Employment Law Project’s Unemployment Insurance Safety Net Project.
• Find state agencies that administer wage and workplace laws.