Can Motivational Messaging Move the Needle on Unemployment Insurance Reemployment?
In a new impact evaluation report from the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, researchers Khudodod Khudododov, Ph.D., Stephanie Walsh, Ph.D., Jinah Yoo, and Andrea Hetling, Ph.D., explore the intersection of behavioral science and administrative burden.
The study utilized a randomized controlled trial to test whether motivational text messages could improve outcomes for participants of New Jersey’s Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) program. RESEA helps high-risk Unemployment Insurance benefit recipients to return to work through mandatory services such as career coaching and job search workshops.
Key takeaways from the study include:
- Across both the treatment and control groups, appointment attendance during the study period was high at approximately 90%, and the percentage of participants completing the program was also high at 88%, notably higher than the previous year.
- Motivational messaging didn’t significantly alter outcomes, suggesting that appointment reminder texts implemented by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development just prior to the study may already be improving program participation and completion.
- The findings challenge us to think more deeply about message timing, targeting strategies, and the integration of human-centered case management.