The American unemployment system is broken by design

In many states, benefits are intentionally difficult to collect and application processes complex to navigate
Many red and purple states have been particularly egregious in underfunding their programs and cutting benefits, while blue states have been more generous. That reflects a broader push within the Republican Party to pare down the social safety net and make it harder for people to access programs. It’s played out recently on Medicaid expansion, which 14 states have rejected.