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Assisting the Long‐Term Unemployed: Results from a Randomised Trial
Author(s) -
Breunig Robert,
CobbClark Deborah A.,
Dunlop Yvonne,
Terrill Marion
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
economic record
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.365
H-Index - 42
eISSN - 1475-4932
pISSN - 0013-0249
DOI - 10.1111/1475-4932.00080
Subject(s) - disadvantage , welfare , social welfare , income support , term (time) , unemployment , randomized controlled trial , social policy , demographic economics , economics , economic growth , psychology , political science , medicine , physics , surgery , quantum mechanics , law , market economy , macroeconomics
Welfare reform in Australia centres on both economic and social participation. The policy concern is that people who fail to participate in economic and social life may become entrenched in disadvantage. In 2000–2001, a randomised trial was conducted by the Department of Family and Community Services to assess whether an intensive interview with follow‐ups would result in increased participation for long‐term recipients of income support. Participation in the trial led to a reduction in average hours worked, but increased hours spent in study or training. We find evidence of increased social integration associated with participation in the trial.