• Journal of Labour Economics
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.1-31
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• 2016

This paper investigates the cyclical behavior of UI benefit take-up rate, the share of unemployed persons who are eligible for job seekers' allowances(JSA) and actually receive them. Using Korea's Employment Insurance DB, it also identifies the factors linked to the decision to take up job seekers' allowances. The results show that the take-up rate is countercyclical and leads both unemployment rate and Coincident Composite Index cyclical component by 6 months and is positively correlated with replacement rate and benefit duration, suggesting that extending benefit duration and raising benefit level can boost benefit claims to increase take-up rates in Korea.