Resource Human-Centered Design

COVID-19 Exposes How Many Unemployment Websites Are Truly Terrible

This HuffPost article investigates the widespread failures of state unemployment websites during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting outdated technology, accessibility issues, and the human impact of these systemic breakdowns.

Organization: Huffington Post
Published Year: 2020

The article explores how millions of unemployed Americans struggled to access unemployment benefits due to severely outdated and poorly designed state websites that crashed under unprecedented demand.

It details the challenges claimants faced, including confusing interfaces, long wait times, and system errors that prevented timely filing for benefits. Experts and affected individuals share their experiences, shedding light on the consequences of decades-long underinvestment in unemployment insurance technology. The piece also discusses the urgent need for modernization, advocating for streamlined, user-friendly digital platforms that prioritize accessibility, efficiency, and resilience in times of crisis.