Policy context: In 2015, DOL instructed states to use their RESEA grants to implement programs that would require new UI claimants to undergo an eligibility review to confirm that they are compliant with state UI work-search requirements and receive services that would help them connect to available jobs. North Carolina was among many states that adopted DOL’s recommendations.

Research design. Conduct an RCT impact study that randomly assigns RESEA-eligible UI claimants into the RESEA group (required to participate in the program) or the control group (exempt from program requirements). Use North Carolina 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 from stakeholder interviews, document reviews, and program observations to examine how North Carolina RESEA was implemented during the period of random assignment and the 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 CLEAR high or moderate causal evidence rating requirement set by DOL. 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 North Carolina RESEA program.