The Lock-in Effects of Information on Part-Time Unemployment Benefits

Abstract

We conducted a large randomized controlled experiment that provides information on part-time unemployment benefits to unemployment insurance recipients in France. The information provision had a significant positive impact on the propensity to work while on claim, but it reduced the unemployment exit rate, showing important lock-in effects into unemployment associated with part-time unemployment benefits. The extension of the duration of compensated unemployment counterbalanced the increase in the number of days worked while on claim, so the net expenditure of unemployment insurance remained unchanged.