Most State Unemployment Websites Fail Mobile and Accessibility Tests

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of workers have applied for unemployment benefits online, only to be met with a crashed webpage. To better gauge the overall functionality of state unemployment websites, ITIF tested the page load speed, mobile-friendliness, and accessibility of all 50 state unemployment websites. Results show that one-third of state unemployment websites are not mobile-friendly, while four-out-of-ten state unemployment websites are inaccessible to those with disabilities. In response, this report provides a series of recommendations states should take to improve the functionality of their state unemployment websites, to make it easier for individuals to apply for and receive benefits. In addition, this report also argues that any future stimulus package Congress develops should include funding for states to modernize their websites.