Responses to Personal Reemployment 

Accounts (PRAs): Findings From 

the Demonstration States 

Final Evaluation Report 

Gretchen Kirby 

Margaret Sullivan 

Elizabeth Potamites 

Jackie Kauff 

Elizabeth Clary 

Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. 

and 

Charles McGlew 

Coffey Consulting, LLC 

Prepared for: 

U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration 

200 Constitution Avenue, N.W. 

Washington, DC 20210 

Prepared by: 

Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. 

600 Maryland Avenue, SW, Suite 550 

Washington, DC 20024 

Subcontractor to Coffey Consulting, LLC 

4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 1050 

Bethesda, Maryland 20814 

June 6, 2008 

This project has been funded, either wholly or in part, with Federal funds from the Department of 

Labor, Employment and Training Administration under Contract Number AF-12985-000-03-30. 

The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department 

of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply 

endorsement of same by the U.S. Government. 

A CKNOWLEDGMENTS

he authors are grateful to the many individuals who contributed to the evaluation 

activities that have led to this report. First, we thank all the administrators and staff 

in the demonstration states and sites for taking the time to work with the research 

team over the course of the evaluation to participate in interviews, arrange site visits, review 

materials, provide the data, and answer a lot of questions. We owe special thanks to the 

PRA coordinators in each of the original seven demonstration states—Vickie Smith in 

Florida, Pamela Pearson in Idaho, Rick Roy and Bonnie Elsey in Minnesota, Deb Buxbaum 

and Leslie Duffy in Montana, Rebecca Allen and Varshna Narumanchi-Jackson in Texas, 

James Hairston in West Virginia, and Jesse Graham and Jeanine Lilly in Mississippi. We also 

thank all of the program administrators and staff in the demonstration sites who gathered 

the data to make the analysis in this report possible. 

We also thank the project officers for the PRA Demonstration within the Employment 

and Training Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor, Janet Javar in the Office of 

Policy Development and Research, and Christine Cremer, Gretchen Sullivan, and Nathan 

Sterken in the Office of Workforce Investment for their valuable guidance and input 

throughout the course of the evaluation. 

We received much assistance from our colleagues at Mathematica and Coffey 

Consulting; specifically, Tiffany Waits, Elizabeth Clary, Bill Sullivan, Jean Mitchell, and Rex 

Hall for their contributions in developing and conducting the implementation and focus 

group studies, Lester Coffey for his guidance and support throughout the evaluation, Paul 

Decker for sharing his depth of knowledge on the PRA concept and for his guidance on the 

evaluation design, Ama Takyi, Chris Rankin, Keith Rathbun, Allison Roche, and Emily Sama 

Martin for their tremendous assistance in cleaning the data, creating data sets, conducting the 

analysis, and checking tables. We also thank Amy Coffey and Carol Johnson for their 

assistance with project management and logistical issues, respectively, Daryl Hall, Betty 

Teller and Molly and Jim Cameron for editing this report, and Donna Dorsey for providing 

secretarial and administrative support. 

T

C ONTENTS

Chapter Page 

 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY....................................................................................................xv 

 I WHAT ARE PERSONAL REEMPLOYMENT ACCOUNTS? ............................................... 1 

A. KEY ELEMENTS OF PRAS........................................................................................ 2 

B. OVERVIEW OF THE DEMONSTRATION STATES .................................................... 4 

C. EVALUATION PURPOSE AND METHODOLOGY..................................................... 5 

1. Qualitative Study.............................................................................................. 6

2. Quantitative Study ........................................................................................... 8 

D. ROADMAP TO THE REPORT ..................................................................................... 9 

 II STRUCTURE OF PRAS......................................................................................................11 

A. BONUS PAYMENTS ..................................................................................................11 

B. SERVICE USES OF PRA FUNDS: TRAINING, INTENSIVE, AND 

SUPPORTIVE SERVICES ..........................................................................................13 

1. Training ...........................................................................................................13

2. Intensive Services...........................................................................................13

3. Supportive Services........................................................................................14 

C. ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT POLICIES ....................................................................15 
 v

 Contents 

Chapter Page 

 III ACCEPTANCE RATES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF PRA RECIPIENTS .......................19 

A. ACCEPTANCE RATES...............................................................................................19 

B. CHARACTERISTICS OF PRA RECIPIENTS .............................................................21 

1. Demographic Characteristics at PRA Entry..............................................21

2. Characteristics of the Last Job Held Prior to PRA Entry........................24

3. UI Receipt at PRA Entry..............................................................................27

4. Timing of PRA Entry Relative to UI Claim ..............................................30 

C. POTENTIAL REASONS FOR DECLINING THE PRA OFFER................................31 

1. Timing of PRA Entry and UI Receipt........................................................32

2. Demographic Characteristics......................................................................33

3. Characteristics of Last Job...........................................................................35

 IV USES OF PRA FUNDS......................................................................................................39 

A. BONUS RECEIPT ......................................................................................................39 

1. Employment Entry (First) Bonus Receipt .................................................39

2. Timing of Employment Entry Among Bonus Earners ...........................47

3. Retention (Second) Bonus Receipt Rates...................................................48

4. Average Bonus Amounts..............................................................................48 

B. SERVICE PURCHASES ..............................................................................................50 

1. Supportive Services........................................................................................51

2. Training ...........................................................................................................53

3. Intensive Services...........................................................................................54 

C. THE MIX OF BONUS AND SERVICE USES.............................................................55 

1. Average PRA Disbursements Among Account Users.............................55

2. Distinct Users and Overlaps in Types of Use ...........................................56 
vi 

Contents 

Chapter Page 

 V PATTERNS IN PRA USE..................................................................................................59 

A. THE TYPES OF PRA USERS ....................................................................................59 

B. PATTERNS IN PRA USE BY TIME PERIOD ...........................................................62 

1. PRA Use During the Bonus Qualification Period....................................62

2. PRA Use After the Bonus Qualification Period Passes...........................65

3. Patterns in Use Over the Full Course of the PRA....................................68 

C. EXTENT OF PRA USE.............................................................................................72 

1. Account Exhaust............................................................................................73

2. Account Nonuse............................................................................................74 

D. PRA CLOSURES .......................................................................................................76 

1. Reasons for Closure ......................................................................................76

2. Length of Accounts.......................................................................................77 

 VI PATTERNS OF UI RECEIPT AND EMPLOYMENT OF PRA RECIPIENTS ....................79 

A. UI RECEIPT..............................................................................................................79 

B. EMPLOYMENT..........................................................................................................82 

C. EARNINGS ................................................................................................................83 

D. CHARACTERISTICS AND OUTCOMES OF PRA RECIPIENTS BY USER TYPE.....85 

1. Characteristics at PRA Entry .......................................................................85

2. UI Receipt and Employment Outcomes....................................................86 
 vii

 Contents 

Chapter Page 

 VII MANAGING PRAS AT THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL..............................................91 

A. ESTABLISHING PRAS: ACHIEVING INITIAL TARGETS AND MAKING THE 

LAST OFFERS...........................................................................................................91 

1. Progress in Achieving PRA Targets............................................................91

2. Timing of the Last PRA Offers...................................................................93 

B. PRA DEMONSTRATION GRANT MANAGEMENT................................................93 

1. PRA Funding Levels and Obligations ........................................................94

2. Remaining PRA Grant Funds......................................................................95 

C. KEY LESSONS FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF THE DEMONSTRATION 

STATES .....................................................................................................................96 

 VIII FINDINGS AND IMPLICATIONS BASED ON THE PRA EXPERIENCE.......................101 

A. FINDINGS ABOUT THE USES OF THE PRA........................................................101 

B. FINDINGS ABOUT THE PATTERNS IN ACCOUNT USE......................................105 

C. THE MESSAGE AND OUTCOMES OF THE PRA..................................................107 

D. THE STRUCTURE OF PRAS AND CONSIDERATIONS FOR SELF-MANAGED 

ACCOUNTS.............................................................................................................108 

E. CONCLUSION .........................................................................................................109 

 REFERENCES ..................................................................................................................111 

 APPENDIX A: SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS FROM THE FOCUS GROUP STUDY

 APPENDIX B: DETAILED DATA TABLES ON PRA RECIPIENTS

 APPENDIX C: DETAILED DATA TABLES ON SUBGROUPS
T ABLES

 Table Page 

I.1 PERSONAL REEMPLOYMENT ACCOUNT: KEY ELEMENTS......................................... 3 

 I.2 OVERVIEW OF THE EIGHT PRA DEMONSTRATION STATES ...................................... 4 

 II.1 BONUS STRUCTURE IN THE PRA DEMONSTRATION STATES ...................................12 

 II.2 SUPPORTIVE SERVICES POLICIES IN THE PRA DEMONSTRATION STATES ............14 

 II.3 POLICIES AROUND EARLY CLOSURE OF PRAS DUE TO INACTIVITY .....................16 

 II.4 METHOD OF SERVICE DISBURSEMENTS ......................................................................16 

 III.2 INDUSTRY OF LAST JOB PRIOR TO PRA ENTRY.........................................................24 

 III.4 CHARACTERISTICS OF LAST JOB PRIOR TO PRA ENTRY...........................................26 

 III.5 UI ELIGIBILITY AMONG PRA RECIPIENTS.................................................................29 

 III.6 UI WEEKLY BENEFIT AMOUNTS (WBA) AMONG PRA RECIPIENTS .....................30 

 III.7 TIMING OF PRA OFFER AND ENTRY RELATIVE TO UI CLAIM ...............................31 

 III.8. CHARACTERISTICS OF UI RECEIPT AMONG RECIPIENTS AT THE TIME OF 

PRA OFFER, BY PRA OFFER DECISION (PERCENTAGES, UNLESS STATED 

OTHERWISE) ....................................................................................................................32 

 III.9 CHARACTERISTICS OF RECIPIENTS AT PRA ENTRY, BY PRA OFFER DECISION 

(PERCENTAGES, UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE).........................................................34 

 III.10 INDUSTRY AND OCCUPATION OF LAST JOB HELD PRIOR TO PRA ENTRY, 

BY PRA OFFER DECISION (PERCENTAGES, UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE)..........36 
x 

Tables 

 Table Page 

 III.11 CHARACTERISTICS OF LAST JOB HELD PRIOR TO PRA OFFER, BY PRA 

OFFER DECISION (PERCENTAGES, UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE).........................37 

 IV.1. CHARACTERISTICS OF RECIPIENTS AT PRA ENTRY, BY BONUS RECEIPT 

(PERCENTAGES, UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE ..........................................................42 

 IV.2 CHARACTERISTICS OF LAST JOB HELD PRIOR TO PRA ENTRY, BY BONUS 

RECEIPT (PERCENTAGES, UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE), INDUSTRY AND 

OCCUPATION ...................................................................................................................43 

 IV.3 HOURS WORKED AND RATE OF PAY OF LAST JOB HELD PRIOR TO PRA ENTRY, 

BY BONUS RECEIPT (PERCENTAGES, UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE)......................44 

 IV.4 UI RECEIPT AMONG RECIPIENTS AT THE TIME OF PRA OFFER, BY BONUS 

RECEIPT (PERCENTAGES, UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE)........................................44 

 IV.5 AVERAGE BONUS AMOUNTS AND ASSOCIATED PRA BALANCES AT 

EMPLOYMENT ENTRY ...................................................................................................50 

 IV.6 SERVICE PAYMENTS PER TRANSACTION .....................................................................52 

 IV.7 EXAMPLES OF SUPPORTIVE SERVICE PURCHASES......................................................52 

 IV.8 SERVICE PAYMENTS PER PRA SERVICE PURCHASER ................................................53 

 IV.9 COMPOSITION OF AVERAGE PRA DISBURSEMENTS PER USER 

(AS PERCENTAGES OF TOTAL EXPENDITURES)............................................................56 

 V.1 TYPES OF PRA USERS, BY STATEA ................................................................................61 

 V.2 AVERAGE PER-USER DISBURSEMENTS IN THE BONUS QUALIFICATION PERIOD, 

BY TYPE OF PRA USER...................................................................................................64 

 V.3 AVERAGE PER-USER DISBURSEMENTS AFTER THE BONUS QUALIFICATION 

PERIOD, BY TYPE OF PRA USER ..................................................................................67 

 V.4 AVERAGE PER-USER DISBURSEMENTS OVER THE FULL COURSE OF THE PRA, 

BY TYPE OF PRA USER...................................................................................................70 

 V.5 AVERAGE PER-RECIPIENT DISBURSEMENTS ..............................................................72 
 xi

 Tables 

 Table Page 

 V.6 AVERAGE DISBURSEMENTS FOR ALL PRA USERS AND FOR ALL PRA 

RECIPIENTS, BY STATE ...................................................................................................73 

 V.7 PERCENT OF PRA RECIPIENTS WHO USE THE FULL $3,000 

(EXHAUST THE PRA), BY STATE AND PRA USER GROUP.......................................74 

 V.8 REASONS FOR PRA CLOSURES, BY STATE...................................................................77 

 V.9 LENGTH OF PRAS (PERCENTAGES)..............................................................................78 

 V.10 TIME FROM PRA ENTRY TO LAST SERVICE DISBURSEMENT ...................................78 

 VI.1 UI EXHAUST RATES (PERCENTAGES)...........................................................................80 

 VI.2 DURATION OF UI RECEIPT (IN WEEKS).......................................................................81 

 VI.3 EMPLOYMENT RATES AFTER PRA ENTRY (PERCENTAGES) ....................................82 

 VI.4 CONSISTENT EMPLOYMENT AFTER PRA RECEIPT (PERCENTAGES) ......................83 

 VI.1. MEDIAN EARNINGS AMONG THOSE EMPLOYED BEFORE AND AFTER 

PRA RECEIPT ..................................................................................................................84 

 VI.5 HOURLY RATE OF PAY FOR BONUS EARNERS (PERCENTAGES, UNLESS 

OTHERWISE STATED).......................................................................................................85 

 VI.6 CHARACTERISTICS OF RECIPIENTS AT PRA ENTRY, BY USER GROUP 

(PERCENTAGES, UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE).........................................................86 

 VI.7 CHARACTERISTICS OF LAST JOB HELD PRIOR TO PRA ENTRY, BY USER GROUP 

(PERCENTAGES, UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE).........................................................87 

 V1.8 UI RECEIPT AND EMPLOYMENT AFTER PRA ENTRY, BY USER GROUP 

(PERCENTAGES, UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE).........................................................88 

 VII.1 PROGRESS IN ACHIEVING TARGETED NUMBER OF PRAS, 

AS OF SEPTEMBER 2007 ..................................................................................................92 

VII.2 PRA DEMONSTRATION GRANT END DATES AND TIMING OF LAST OFFERS.......93 

 VII.3 FUNDING LEVELS AND OBLIGATIONS FOR PRAS, AS OF SEPTEMBER 2007 ..........94 

 VII.4 ESTIMATED PRA GRANT FUNDS REMAINING, BY DEMONSTRATION STATE.......95

F IGURES

 Figure Page 

III.1 PRA ACCEPTANCE RATES, 2005 AND 2007................................................................20 

 III.2. PRIMARY REASONS AMONG PRA RECIPIENTS FOR LEAVING LAST JOB................28 

 IV.1. EMPLOYMENT ENTRY (FIRST) BONUS RECEIPT RATES ............................................40 

 IV.2 EMPLOYMENT ENTRY (FIRST) BONUS RECEIPT RATES AMONG POTENTIALLY 

ELIGIBLE PRA RECIPIENTS...........................................................................................46 

 IV.3 TIMING OF EMPLOYMENT ENTRY AMONG FIRST BONUS EARNERS ......................47 

 IV.4 RETENTION (SECOND) BONUS RECEIPT RATES ........................................................49 

 IV.5 PRA DISBURSEMENTS ON SERVICES, BY SERVICE TYPE...........................................51 

 IV.6 TYPES OF PRA USERS.....................................................................................................57 

 V.1 AVERAGE DISBURSEMENTS AS A PERCENT OF THE TOTAL $3,000 PRA, 

BY PRA USER TYPE AND TIME PERIOD ......................................................................63 

 V.2 AVERAGE DISBURSEMENTS BY PRA USERS AS A PERCENT OF THE TOTAL 

$3,000 PRA, BY STATE AND TIME PERIOD .................................................................65 

 V.3 AVERAGE DISBURSEMENTS OVER THE FULL COURSE OF THE PRA AS A 

PERCENT OF THE TOTAL $3,000, BY PRA USER TYPE..............................................68 
xiv 

Figures 

 Figure Page 

 V.4 AVERAGE DISBURSEMENTS OF PRA USERS OVER THE FULL COURSE OF 

THE PRA AS A PERCENT OF THE TOTAL $3,000, BY STATE......................................71 

 V.5 PERCENT OF PRA RECIPIENTS THAT ARE COMPLETE NONUSERS, 

BY PRA STATE.................................................................................................................75 

 VI.1 MEDIAN EARNINGS AMONG THOSE EMPLOYED BEFORE AND AFTER 

PRA RECEIPT ..................................................................................................................84 
E XECUTIVE S UMMARY

ersonal reemployment accounts (PRAs) are a strategy intended to help unemployed 

workers build job skills and find work. Targeted to a subset of recipients of 

Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits, PRAs of $3,000 allow recipients to choose 

how and when to spend funds from their account to purchase reemployment services, 

including training. Workers may also elect to receive the funds as cash bonuses for 

reentering the workforce and keeping a job. In 2004, the U.S. Department of Labor’s 

Employment and Training Administration (ETA) launched the PRA demonstration project 

to examine this strategy of fostering good employment outcomes for UI recipients. 

The lessons from this evaluation of the PRA experience are of value to policymakers 

and program administrators as the concept of self-managed accounts in the workforce 

investment system continues to evolve beyond this specific demonstration. In fall 2006, 

ETA launched a demonstration in select states of Career Advancement Accounts (CAAs). 

Like PRAs, CAAs are self-managed capped accounts of $3,000, but they are renewable for a 

total of up to $6,000 over two years. Unlike PRAs, CAAs can be used only for education 

and training and do not include a bonus component. Despite the differences between the 

two accounts, the PRA experience can shed light on potential strengths and weaknesses of 

individually managed accounts. 

KEY ELEMENTS OF PRAS 

PRAs are recipient-managed accounts, targeted to UI recipients who are identified as 

“likely to exhaust” their benefits. Over the course of one year, PRA recipients can choose 

how and when to spend funds from their account to purchase a range of reemployment 

services including intensive career counseling, training, and supportive services. They may 

also elect to receive the funds through bonuses. Specifically, PRA recipients can choose to 

receive 60 percent of any remaining balance in their PRA when they start a full-time job as 

long as they do so by the end of the 13th week of UI benefit receipt. They then can receive 

the remaining 40 percent (or the account balance) after six months on the job. 

PRAs are offered through One-Stop Career Centers and their use is entirely voluntary. 

PRA recipients, like all job seekers, have free access to the core services that are available 

within the One-Stop Career Centers to assist them in their job search. PRA recipients can 

P
xvi 

Executive Summary 

select any intensive or training services they choose, whether offered within the One-Stop 

Career Center or by a private vendor, but they must pay for the services with PRA funds. 

They cannot pursue an Individual Training Account (ITA) for the one-year period for which 

the PRA is valid. Key features of PRAs are summarized in Table ES.1. 

Table ES.1. Personal Reemployment Account: Key Elements 

Amount $3,000 flexible use, capped reemployment account 

Time period Valid for one year from date of issue 

Participants UI recipients identified as likely to exhaust benefits through the state’s Worker 

Profiling and Reemployment Services (WPRS) system 

Purpose To purchase intensive, training, or supportive services from One-Stop Career 

Centers, the marketplace, or both 

AND/OR 

To receive bonus payments based on (1) reemployment within 13 weeks of UI receipt 

(60 percent of account balance) and (2) six-month job retention (40 percent of 

account balance) 

Interaction with other 

benefits/services 

No effect on UI benefits; an additional resource for eligible recipients 

Not eligible for WIA intensive and training services for the one-year life of the PRA 

OVERVIEW OF THE DEMONSTRATION STATES

The eight demonstration states—Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Mississippi, 

Montana, Texas, and West Virginia—have received a combined total of $12.3 million (over 

two funding cycles) and have established PRAs for 4,480 unemployed workers at risk of 

exhausting their UI benefits (Table ES.2). Seven of the eight states implemented PRAs in 

One-Stop Career Centers representing specific geographic or workforce investment areas. 

One state—West Virginia—offered PRAs statewide. The first PRA offers were made by all 

seven original states from early March through mid-April of 2005; the first offers in Hawaii 

were made in August of 2006. 

Federal guidance developed by ETA provides the basic framework on which PRAs are 

built, however, states and local participating sites were given broad discretion over PRA 

policy and procedures. In general, the demonstration states adopted the PRA structure as 

set by federal policy with few adaptations. However, there is some state-to-state variation in 

PRA policy and structure that may have affected staff practices and recipient responses. 

Specifically, the states had the flexibility to set the cap on which bonuses are calculated at 

less than the full account of $3,000 and could vary the timing of employment entry by which 

an individual qualifies for the first bonus. The states also had the discretion to formulate 

their own policies to define caps on supportive service payments and allowable uses. Finally, 

federal policy defines the period of validity for the PRA as one year, but three states 

developed early closure policies for accounts with periods of inactivity. State decisions on 

these three key PRA policies are summarized in Table ES.3. 
 xvii

 Executive Summary 

Table ES.2. Overview of the Eight PRA Demonstration States 

State 

Agency 

Number of 

Participating Sites Total Fundinga 

Total Number of 

PRA Recipients 

Implementation Date 

(When PRA Offers 

Were First Made) 

Florida Agency for Workforce 

Innovation (AWI) 

4 $1,733,325 513 March 14-31, 2005 

(varies by region) 

Hawaii Department of Labor 

and Industrial Relations (DLIR) 

3 $568,186 211 August 2006 

Idaho Department of 

Commerce and Labor (IDCL) 

6 $2,099,659 477 March 7, 2005 

Minnesota Department of 

Employment & Economic 

Development (DEED) 

4 $2,749,793 1,035 March 15, 2005 

Mississippi Department of 

Employment Security (MDES) 

6 $1,735,079 841 March 24, 2005 

Montana Department of Labor 

& Industry (DLI) 

4 $557,792 157 April 11, 2005 

Texas Workforce Commission 

(TWC) 

2 $2,207,022 733 April 7, 2005 

West Virginia Bureau of 

Employment Programs (BEP) 

Statewide $683,462 513 March 14, 2005 

Total — $12,334,318 4,480 — 

Source: Funding information provided by ETA and State Plans; telephone interviews conducted in the spring of 

2005 and fall of 2006. 

a

Florida, Montana, Texas, and West Virginia received funding from PY 2004 only; Hawaii from PY 2005 only; 

Idaho, Minnesota, and Mississippi received demonstration funding in both cycles. 

PRA DEMONSTRATION EVALUATION 

The PRA demonstration provided an opportunity to evaluate this approach to 

delivering reemployment services. The demonstration period began in early 2005 when 

ETA made grants to the original seven demonstration states and initial offers were made to 

eligible individuals. The evaluation period ran from the time the initial offers were made 

through late 2007, just over two and a half years. The evaluation involved a qualitative 

component that included an implementation study and a focus group study and a 

quantitative study that analyzed recipient-level PRA and UI data to address the following 

five research questions: 

• How did the state and local demonstration sites plan for, implement, and operate 

PRAs? 

• What is the rate of acceptance of PRA offers among eligible UI claimants, and what 

factors contribute to their decision to accept the offer? 
xviii 

Executive Summary 

Table ES.3. Summary of Key PRA Policy Decisions in the Demonstration States 

Bonus Structure 

Employment by 

End of UI Week Bonus Cap 

Supportive Service 

Purchases for General 

Expenses in Support of Job 

Search Activities 

Timeframe Before 

Early PRA Closure 

(based on inactivity 

period) 

Florida 13 $3,000 Cannot be used to cover 

mortgage payments 

None 

Hawaii 13 $3,000 Centralized review process 4 consecutive 

months of inactivity 

at any time 

Idaho 8 

9-13 

$3,000 

$2,000 

Cannot be used to cover 

mortgage payments 

None 

Minnesota Initially varied by PRA recipient 

based on UI weekly benefit 

amount; changed to $3,000 cap 

for all in July 2006 

No restrictions No disbursements 

within the first 6 

months (decreased 

to 4 months in 

February 2007) 

Mississippi 13 $3,000 No uses for ongoing 

monthly expenses 

None 

Montana 13 $3,000 No uses for ongoing 

monthly expenses 

None 

Texas 10 

11-13 

$3,000 

$2,000 

No restrictions None 

West Virginia 13 $3,000 No allowable uses No disbursements 

within the first 6 

months 

Source: Site visits and interviews conducted July 2005 through January 2006; supplemented by telephone 

interviews conducted in fall 2006 and fall 2007. 

• How do recipients use the PRA and what is the average level of per-recipient use of 

PRA funds? 

• What are the patterns of receipt of UI benefits among PRA recipients, and what are 

their employment outcomes? 

• What implementation successes and challenges have the PRA demonstration states 

experienced, and what do those experiences say about expanding individually 

managed accounts in the workforce investment system? 

This final report draws on findings from the qualitative components, but is focused on 

reporting the results from the quantitative analysis of recipient characteristics, PRA uses, and 

recipient outcomes using individual-level PRA and UI data from the seven original 

demonstration states. An analysis of PRA and UI data from Hawaii will be conducted later 

in 2008 due to the state’s later entry into the demonstration. The discussion, tables, and 
 xix

 Executive Summary 

46

56

61

75 76

87 88

64

0

20

40

60

80

100

Minnesota Florida West

Virginia

Texas Montana Idaho Mississippi Total

Percent

figures throughout the report will only include Hawaii as appropriate or applicable, given the 

availability of information. 

MAKING THE PRA DECISION

Acceptance Rates. Receiving a PRA is entirely voluntary and is offered as an 

alternative to WIA services such that individuals can have more choice and control in 

selecting and purchasing services to help them get reemployed. In six of the seven original 

demonstration states, the majority of individuals who were offered a PRA accepted it. 

However, the acceptance rate of the PRA differs substantially across the demonstration 

states from a low of 46 percent in Minnesota to a high of 88 percent in Mississippi (Figure 

ES.1). 

Figure ES.1. PRA Acceptance Rates, 2005-2007 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA data on recipients and decliners provided by Idaho, 

Mississippi, Texas, and West Virginia, and on state quarterly activity and expenditure reports on 

the PRA demonstration, as of June 2007 for Florida, Minnesota, and Montana.

Characteristics of PRA Recipients. The majority of PRA recipients are white, 

between the ages of 35 and 54, and have a high school diploma but less than a college 

degree. About half of recipients are men and are married. But, there is substantial variation 

in some of these characteristics across the states, with PRA recipients in Mississippi and 

West Virginia often differing the most from those in other states. In every state, the largest 

portion of PRA recipients earned between $10 and $20 per hour in the last job they held 

prior to PRA entry. Even while job tenure varied tremendously by state, PRA recipients are 

steady workers overall. The median recipient held his/her last job for 3.5 years and the 

average length of job tenure among all recipients is 7.2 years. 
xx 

Executive Summary 

Potential Reasons for Declining the PRA Offer. The reasons for declining the PRA 

offer cannot be determined with certainty in this evaluation. The analysis examined the 

differences in demographic and employment characteristics between those who accept the 

PRA offer and those who decline it, but is limited to those states for which data are available 

for both groups. 

Those who decline the PRA offer are more likely to be male, 55 years in age or older, 

and to have less education, in general, than those who accept the offer (Table ES.4). In the 

limited data available, it appears that parental status might also significantly affect acceptance 

rates. These findings are largely consistent with the qualitative reports from program staff 

and focus group participants about the potential reasons for declining the PRA. Both 

suggested that the primary reason for declining was a desire for training. It could be that 

college-educated workers and those with a child under 18 may be less interested or less able 

to pursue training, respectively. 

Table ES.4. Characteristics of Recipients at PRA Entry, by PRA Offer Decision 

(Percentages, Unless Stated Otherwise) 

 Accepters Decliners All Offers 

Gender 

Male 50 54** 51 

Female 50 46** 49 

Age 

Less than 25 years 7 7 7 

25 to 34 years 20 14*** 19 

35 to 44 years 25 20*** 24 

45 to 54 years 30 30 30 

55 years and over 18 29*** 21 

Average Age in Years 42.8 46.1*** 43.5 

Median Age in Years 44 48 45 

Educational Attainment 

Less than high school diploma / GED 10 11 11 

High school diploma / GED 43 50*** 45 

Some college / 2 year degree 32 28** 31 

Completed 4 year college 10 7*** 10 

Post-graduate education 4 4 4 

Have Children under 18a 41 31*** 39 

Total Number of Offers 2,883 830 3,713 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA data on recipients and decliners provided by Idaho, 

Mississippi, Texas, West Virginia, and one of four demonstration sites in Minnesota. 

Note: Sums may not total to 100 due to rounding. 

*/**/*** Difference is statistically significant at the .10/.05/.01 level. 

a

Data not available for Idaho and West Virginia. 
 xxi

 Executive Summary 

USES OF PRA FUNDS

The flexibility and breadth of potential uses of PRA funds present the recipients with a 

range of choices. In deciding how to use PRA funds, account holders must weigh the 

relative value of a large lump-sum payment for early employment against purchasing services 

that can make them more marketable. 

Bonus Receipt. The receipt rate for the employment entry bonus (the first PRA 

bonus) among all PRA recipients in the original seven demonstration states is 31 percent 

(Table ES.5). Five of the seven states have bonus receipt rates clustered around this average; 

however, there is a low of 8 percent in this rate in Montana and a high of 52 percent in 

Florida. Many factors could contribute to the differences in bonus receipt rates between the 

states—some exogenous to the PRA program (the employability of individuals with certain 

characteristics) and some specific to the structure and implementation of the PRA 

(attractiveness of the bonus amount, policies defining the full range of uses of the PRA, and 

implementation in the timing of the offer and methods of account management). 

Table ES.5. PRA Bonus Receipt 

State Employment Bonus (First Bonus) 

Retention Bonus 

(Second Bonus) 

 Receipt Rate 

Average Number 

of Weeks of UI 

Receipt at Time 

of Employment 

Average 

Amount 

Receipt Rate 

Among All 

PRA 

Recipients 

Receipt 

Rate 

Among 

First Bonus 

Earners 

Average 

Amount 

Florida 52% 11.0 $1,713 39% 75% $1,130 

Idaho 29% 7.7 $1,529 17% 58% $1,073 

Minnesota 26% 9.1 $1,539 18% 71% $1,071 

Mississippi 37% 9.1 $1,795 22% 60% $1,200 

Montana 8% 10.7 $1,727 5% 60% $1,119 

Texas 25% 8.7 $1,602 16% 65% $1,086 

West Virginia 31% 8.2 $1,780 26% 85% $1,186 

All 31% 9.2 $1,662 22% 70% $1,123 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

PRA account holders make decisions that determine the size of their bonuses (up to a 

maximum first bonus of $1,800—60 percent of the $3,000—and a corresponding maximum 

of $1,200 for the second bonus); any services purchased will draw down the total amount 

available for bonus payments. Account holders who earn the bonuses spend $230 on 

services, on average, before employment. Specifically, the average $1,662 first bonus 

payment is based on an account balance of $2,770 at the time of employment entry (Table 

ES.5). About two out of every three PRA recipients who earn the first bonus also earn the 

second bonus, suggesting a substantial level of job retention among bonus earners. Overall, 
xxii 

Executive Summary 

just over one in every five PRA recipients across the demonstration states earns the 

retention bonus. 

Service Purchases. Account holders have broad discretion over which services to 

select. The data indicate that recipients save funds to receive large bonuses (discussed 

above), that they spend substantial funds on supportive services, very little (if any) on 

intensive services, and a slight but noticeable amount on training. 

The majority of PRA recipients in four states—Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, and 

Texas—use the PRA to purchase supportive services, while very few (3 to 4 percent) do so 

in Mississippi and West Virginia (Table ES.6). Just under half of the PRA recipients in 

Florida purchase supportive services with PRA funds. Across the demonstration states, the 

average per-recipient spending on supportive services among those recipients who show 

such spending is $681, and ranges from a low of $349 in Florida to $932 in Minnesota. 

Table ES.6. Service Payments Per PRA Service Purchaser 

 Supportive Services Training Intensive Services Total 

State 

Percent of 

Recipients 

Average 

Amount 

 Percent of 

Recipients 

Average 

Amount 

 Percent of 

Recipients 

Average 

Amount 

 Percent of 

Recipients 

Average 

Amount 

Florida 47% $349 6% $585 16% $188 59% $339 

Idaho 64% $643 19% $892 0% 0 69% $704 

Minnesota 52% $932 11% $731 2% $553 55% $888 

Mississippi 3% $696 2% $1,279 0% 0 5% $912 

Montana 70% $700 17% $903 0% 0 73% $786 

Texas 57% $591 19% $1,275 <1% $487 63% $765 

West Virginia 4% $600 11% $1,381 1% $848 13% $1,168 

Total 38% $681 12% $1,031 2% $289 43% $747 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

Among all PRA recipients, 12 percent use the account to purchase training (Table 

ES.6). More than 10 percent of recipients in every state but Florida and Mississippi pursue 

training with PRA funds. The average spending on training among recipients who purchase 

training is more than $1,000 each in Mississippi, Texas, and West Virginia, and more than 

$500 but less than $1,000 in the other states. 

PRA recipients in Idaho, Mississippi, and Montana do not spend any funds to purchase 

intensive services, and only 2 percent or less purchase these services in Minnesota, Texas, 

and West Virginia. Only in Florida is there a noticeable percentage of PRA recipients (16 

percent) who use their accounts to purchase intensive services. The implementation study 

found that two participating sites in Florida have developed intensive services packages and 

heavily market them to potential account holders during orientation and individual follow-up 

meetings. 
 xxiii

 Executive Summary 

Average Per-Recipient PRA Use. The average PRA recipient spends $1,757 from the 

account (Table ES.7). The balance of spending is tipped toward service purchases, for a 

total of $974 spent per recipient. The majority of this spending ($802) is directed toward the 

purchase of supportive services. The average recipient earns $783 through the two bonus 

payments. 

Table ES.7. Average Per-Recipient Disbursements 

 All PRA Recipients 

 Average Amount Percent of Total 

Reemployment Bonus (1st Bonus) $531 30% 

Retention Bonus (2nd Bonus) $252 14% 

Total Bonuses Received $783 45% 

Intensive Services $9 1% 

Training $163 9% 

Supportive Services $802 46% 

Total Services Received $974 55% 

Total Average Expenditure $1,757 100% 

Total as Percent of $3,000 58% 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

Note: Sums may not total exactly due to rounding. 

TYPES OF PRA RECIPIENTS AND PATTERNS OF USE

Findings from the implementation and focus group studies are used to develop a 

framework for examining the patterns in PRA use by different types of users and in different 

time periods. PRA recipients are divided into five distinct groups based on PRA use in the 

bonus qualification period (the first 13 weeks after the UI claim) in order to explore the specific 

strategies they may pursue in using their accounts for reemployment. The groups and the 

key findings about their patterns and level of PRA use are summarized in Table ES.8. 

PATTERNS OF UI RECEIPT AND EMPLOYMENT OF PRA RECIPIENTS

Of interest is the contribution that the PRA may make to speeding reemployment, 

shortening the length of UI receipt, and promoting job retention. Only an impact evaluation 

can assess the effectiveness of the PRA. However, we can describe the UI receipt and 

employment of PRA recipients and the patterns that emerge may be suggestive of the effects 

of the PRA. 
xxiv 

Executive Summary 

Table ES.8. Types of PRA Recipients and Patterns of PRA Use 

Type of PRA Recipient 

Definition Used to 

Construct Group Key Findings 

Bonus-Focused Users Limited service 

spending to $300 or 

less and received a 

bonus of at least 

$1,620 

• These users receive $2,694 (or 90 percent) of 

the PRA on average, receiving nearly all 

through bonus receipt. 

• They typically earn the full amount of the first 

bonus, but not all earn the second bonus. 

Supportive-Service 

Focused Users 

Spent $800 or more 

specifically on 

supportive services 

in the first 13 weeks 

of UI receipt 

• These users also come close to using the 

PRA in full, with total disbursements of $2,728, 

on average. 

• They start spending early in the life of the 

account, and use most of the funds to 

purchase supportive services by the end of the 

bonus qualification period. 

• They spend very little on other services 

(training or intensive). 

Other Users Those whose bonus 

amounts or supportive 

services spending did not 

place them in the bonusfocused or supportiveservice focused 

categories and those 

whose spending was 

only for training and/or 

intensive services 

• These users have the lowest PRA 

disbursements overall, totaling only $1,656 

over the course of the account. 

• Their initial disbursements are focused on 

training, but then shift to supportive services 

purchases after the bonus qualification period 

ends. 

• Over the course of the account, the largest 

share of their disbursements goes to purchase 

supportive services; these total $743, 

comprising 45 percent of their disbursements. 

Initial Nonusers Have no disbursements 

from the PRA in the initial 

period, but purchase 

services after their 13th

week of UI receipt 

• These recipients first save the account, 

presumably to earn the maximum bonus. 

• Once they do not earn the bonus, they make 

purchases primarily of supportive services and 

some training. 

• They spend an average of $2,238 from their 

PRA. 

Complete Nonusers Never make any 

disbursements from the 

account 

• Just over one in every four PRA recipients (28 

percent) does not use their account for any 

purpose. 

UI Receipt. By definition, PRA recipients are considered more likely than other UI 

recipients to exhaust their benefits—that is, to receive UI for all weeks they are eligible for 

benefits—yet many do not exhaust their benefits to the degree expected. States estimate the 

probability that each UI claimant will receive their benefits in full through the WPRS 

models. The estimated average rate of exhaust for PRA recipients based on WPRS scores in 

the five states for which these data are available is 52 percent (Table ES.9). The actual 

average rate of exhaust for PRA recipients is substantially lower at 40 percent. Actual 
 xxv

 Executive Summary 

exhaust rates for recipients are consistently lower than the estimated rates in each of the four 

states for which both are available. 

Table ES.9. UI Exhaust Rates and Duration Among PRA Recipients 

State 

Estimated 

Exhaust Rate 

For PRA 

Recipientsa

2005-06 

Actual Exhaust 

Rate Among 

PRA Recipients 

2005–06 

(percentages) 

Duration of UI 

Eligibility Among 

PRA Recipients 

2005-06 

(in weeks) 

Actual UI 

Duration Among 

PRA 

Recipients in 

2005-06 

(in weeks) 

UI Duration 

Among all UI 

Recipients in 

FY 2006 

(in weeks) 

Florida -- 36 22 14 14 

Idaho -- 21 26 17 12 

Minnesota 45 -- -- 18 15 

Mississippi 43 36 24 14 17 

Montana 66 60 20 15 15 

Texas 56 53 22 17 14 

West Virginia 55 39 26 17 14 

All States 52 40 23 17 13 

Source: Calculations are based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. Statewide exhaust 

rates are based on state-reported data in the Unemployment Insurance Data Base (UIDB); see 

http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/unemploy/content/data.asp. 

-- Data not available. 

a

Based on state WPRS scores that reflect the estimated probability of each UI claimant to exhaust. 

PRA recipients receive UI benefits for 17 weeks, on average—about one month shorter 

than their full period of eligibility and about one month longer than all UI recipients in the 

demonstration states (Table ES.9). In three states—Florida, Mississippi, and Montana—

PRA recipients received UI benefits for the same amount of or less time on average than all 

UI beneficiaries. 

Employment. In the quarter following PRA entry, roughly half of all PRA recipients 

are employed and this overall rate does not change much by the third quarter. Employment 

rates fluctuate from quarter to quarter rather than rising consistently. While many PRA 

recipients gain employment, job instability is an issue in some states. Overall, 56 percent of 

recipients are employed in any two consecutive quarters after receiving a PRA—that is, in 

the first and second quarters after PRA receipt, or in the second and third quarters after 

PRA receipt. Across all demonstration states, substantially fewer are employed in three 

consecutive quarters than in two. 

Patterns for Different PRA Recipients. UI receipt patterns and employment rates 

are quite different across different groups of PRA recipients. For example, bonus-focused 

users enter employment quickly and have employment rates in each of the three follow-up 

quarters that are significantly higher than all other groups of PRA recipients. They are also 
xxvi 

Executive Summary 

most likely to be employed consistently (in two and three consecutive quarters). Just about 

half of all supportive service-focused and “other” users receive their full UI benefits and 

have similar employment rates in the first quarter after PRA entry. Supportive servicefocused users make the greatest gains in earnings over the full follow-up period, fully 

achieving the median level of earnings they received prior to PRA entry. Complete nonusers 

and initial nonusers are most likely to receive their full UI benefits and have the lowest 

employment rates in each follow-up quarter. But as initial nonusers have higher education 

and earnings prior to PRA entry they may be holding out for the right job, while complete 

nonusers may struggle to gain employment. 

THE STRUCTURE OF PRAS AND CONSIDERATIONS FOR CUSTOMER-MANAGED 

ACCOUNTS

The experiences of the demonstration states, program staff, and PRA recipients suggest 

some considerations about PRAs specifically, and customer-managed accounts in general. 

Purposes of the Account. The broad purposes of the account give recipients a great 

deal of flexibility in supporting their reemployment efforts, but the bonus and service 

purchase components might send mixed messages and serve different purposes. 

Reemployment accounts, such as CAAs, which focus on employment services and training, 

may be a model better suited to the goals and delivery structure of the workforce investment 

system. 

Account Amount. The right amount for a reemployment account may be a function 

of its purpose to the recipient. The $3,000, while generous for some, was not enough of an 

incentive for many to speed their reemployment in the context of long-term career interests 

and goals. The $3,000 was similarly “low” in comparison with the amount of potential 

support offered through an ITA for which individuals could qualify to assist with training 

costs. The decision to go with the PRA or pursue an ITA for training seems to come down 

to a choice between amounts offered—with the ITA winning out on most occasions due to 

the higher amount generally offered to support training. 

Career Counseling. PRAs are fully customer-managed, and few recipients choose to 

use the funds to purchase intensive career counseling and job search assistance. There is no 

way to assess, through this evaluation, how the outcomes of PRA recipients may be different 

given some upfront development of career plans and associated strategies for using the 

accounts. 

Length of Accounts. PRA recipients have the $3,000 at their disposal for up to one 

year. The analysis shows that among all PRA users, the last disbursement from the account 

is made, on average, within the first four and a half months. This suggests that the one-year 

length may not be necessary, particularly if an account is focused on quick reemployment. 
 xxvii

 Executive Summary 

CONCLUSION

The PRA is a unique strategy in reemployment services, intended to put unemployed 

workers in control of their career planning and job search efforts, and to provide them with 

the financial support and/or incentive to get back to work quickly. While the outcomes of 

recipients with regard to duration of UI receipt and employment and earnings have been 

examined, the key question of the effectiveness of PRAs in speeding reemployment and 

shortening UI receipt has not been answered. And, it cannot be assessed how individuals 

might have responded to the PRA in the absence of the ITA alternative. The final step in 

assessing PRAs fully would be a rigorous experiment. To test the customer-managed nature 

of the accounts, the amount of the PRA could be set equal to the ITA. 

The next generation of customer-managed accounts—the Career Advancement 

Accounts—are now being implemented in eight demonstration states, and will further the 

experience with and knowledge of this type of strategy in serving customers within the 

workforce investment system. 

C HAPTER I 

W HAT A RE P ERSONAL 

R EEMPLOYMENT A CCOUNTS ? 

ersonal reemployment accounts (PRAs) are a strategy intended to help unemployed 

workers build job skills and find work. PRAs are lump sum accounts of $3,000 that 

are fully managed by the unemployed worker and valid for one year. Targeted to a 

subset of recipients of Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits, PRAs allow recipients to 

choose how and when to spend funds from their account to purchase reemployment 

services. Workers may also elect to receive the funds as cash bonuses for quickly reentering 

the workforce and keeping a job. 

In 2004, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration 

(ETA) launched the PRA demonstration project to examine this strategy of fostering good 

employment outcomes for UI recipients. PRAs were intended to achieve three goals (ETA 

2003): (1) to give job seekers choice in and control over the type and timing of services they 

received, (2) to encourage and support rapid return to the labor market, thereby shortening 

the unemployment spell, and (3) to promote job retention. Seven states volunteered to 

participate in the demonstration: Florida, Idaho, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Texas, 

and West Virginia. In the summer of 2006, a second round of demonstration funding 

provided Idaho, Minnesota, and Mississippi additional funding to extend their PRA 

demonstrations, and allowed a new state—Hawaii—to join the demonstration. 

Coffey Consulting, LLC, and Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. (MPR), under contract 

to ETA, provided technical assistance to the states in PRA startup and implementation and 

evaluated the implementation of PRAs in the eight states. An interim evaluation report, 

released in September 2006, presents findings from a qualitative analysis of the PRA 

planning process, key implementation decisions, and the states’ early experiences with the 

PRA, as well as some early findings based on aggregate data on the types and extent of use 

of PRAs (Kirby 2006). This final evaluation report provides summary lessons from the 

qualitative implementation study, but focuses predominantly on recipient responses to the 

P
2 

I: What Are Personal Reemployment Accounts? 

PRAs based on an analysis of individual-level PRA and UI data from the seven original 

demonstration states.1 

The lessons from this evaluation of the PRA experience are of value to policymakers 

and program administrators as the concept of self-managed accounts in the workforce 

investment system continues to evolve beyond this specific demonstration. In fall 2006, 

ETA launched a demonstration of Career Advancement Accounts (CAAs) in select states. 

Like PRAs, CAAs are self-managed, capped accounts of $3,000, but they are renewable for a 

total of up to $6,000 over two years. Unlike PRAs, CAAs can be used only for education 

and training and do not include a reemployment bonus component. CAAs are not limited to 

targeted UI recipients, as are PRAs, rather they are offered to a wider population. Despite 

the differences between the two accounts, the PRA experience can shed light on potential 

strengths and weaknesses of CAAs and other types of approaches to employment and 

training policy and on self-managed accounts. 

A. KEY ELEMENTS OF PRAS 

PRAs are self-managed accounts, targeted to UI recipients who are identified as likely to 

still be unemployed when they receive their last UI benefit payment, and therefore “likely to 

exhaust” all of their UI benefits. Unemployment insurance provides partial replacement of 

earnings to eligible individuals for a limited period of unemployment. Generally speaking, 

eligibility for UI depends on past earnings, the reason for unemployment, and on being able 

and available to work and actively seeking reemployment. UI benefits can be paid for a 

maximum of 26 weeks in most states. In 1993, each state was required by the federal 

government to set up the Worker Profiling and Reemployment Services (WPRS) system, 

which uses a statistical model or characteristic screens to target reemployment services to UI 

recipients likely to reach the maximum number of weeks they can receive benefits—in other 

words, to exhaust their benefits. Each PRA demonstration state was required to use its 

WPRS system to identify individuals who are eligible for a PRA. PRAs are provided in 

addition to regular UI benefits; an individual must be eligible for UI to obtain a PRA, but the 

acceptance and use of a PRA does not interfere with the receipt of UI benefits. 

Over the course of one year, PRA recipients can choose how and when to spend funds 

from their account to purchase a range of reemployment services including intensive career 

counseling, training, and supportive services. They may also elect to receive the funds 

through bonuses for reentering the workforce and keeping a job. Specifically, PRA 

recipients can choose to receive 60 percent of any remaining balance in their PRA when they 

start a full-time job as long as they do so by the end of the 13th week of UI benefit receipt.2

 

They then can receive the remaining 40 percent (or the account balance) after six months on 

 1 An analysis of PRA and UI data from Hawaii will be conducted later in 2008 due to the state’s later 

entry into the demonstration. 

2 The demonstration states set the definitions for full-time employment; it is typically defined as at least 

35 hours per week. 
 3 

 I: What Are Personal Reemployment Accounts? 

the job.3 The account holder also can use the PRA to purchase services and receive a bonus 

for timely reemployment, with the bonus amount calculated on funds remaining after 

services are purchased. 

PRAs are offered through One-Stop Career Centers and their use is entirely voluntary. 

PRA recipients, like all job seekers, have free access to the core services that are available 

within the One-Stop Career Centers to assist them in their job search. These core services 

include use of resource rooms, reference materials, and computers and other equipment, as 

well as access to job listings. However, PRAs are offered as an alternative to Workforce 

Investment Act (WIA) intensive career counseling services and Individual Training Accounts 

(ITAs), which can provide a higher level of financial support for training. Through WIA, 

individuals must qualify for intensive services, but once determined eligible they can receive 

free services that are selected with staff input and direction. They must go through WIA’s 

sequence of core and intensive services before being eligible for training.4

 In contrast, 

individuals have immediate access to the PRA once they accept the offer. They can select 

any intensive or training services they choose, whether offered within the One-Stop Career 

Center or by a private vendor, but they must pay for the services with PRA funds. They 

cannot, however, pursue an ITA for the one-year period for which the PRA is valid. Key 

features of PRAs are summarized in Table I.1. 

Table I.1. Personal Reemployment Account: Key Elements 

Amount $3,000 flexible use, capped reemployment account 

Time period Valid for one year from date of issue 

Participants UI recipients identified as likely to exhaust benefits through the state’s 

Worker Profiling and Reemployment Services (WPRS) system 

Purpose To purchase intensive, training, or supportive services from One-Stop 

Career Centers, the marketplace, or both 

AND/OR 

To receive bonus payments based on (1) reemployment within 13 weeks 

of UI receipt (60 percent of account balance) and (2) six-month job 

retention (40 percent of account balance) 

Effect on other 

benefits/services 

No effect on UI benefits; an additional resource for eligible recipients 

Not eligible for WIA intensive and training services for the one-year life of 

the PRA 

 3 PRA recipients do not have to remain in the same job for six months to qualify for the second bonus. 

However, they cannot experience a break in employment that lasts longer than one week, and all jobs must be 

full time. 

4 There is wide variation in the time it takes to complete the sequence of services and receive an ITA 

(D’Amico et al. 2001). In the ITA experiment it took about nine weeks, on average, for eligible individuals to 

receive an ITA under the service approach that is most similar to current practice (McConnell et al. 2006). 
4 

I: What Are Personal Reemployment Accounts? 

B. OVERVIEW OF THE DEMONSTRATION STATES

The eight demonstration states—Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Mississippi, 

Montana, Texas, and West Virginia—had a total funding level of $12.3 million (over two 

funding cycles) to establish PRAs for a minimum of 3,543 unemployed workers at risk of 

exhausting their UI benefits (Table I.2). ETA provided demonstration funding with targeted 

numbers of accounts in mind per state, but with the expectation that these targets would 

serve as the minimum number of unemployed workers who could be served. Given that not 

all recipients would fully spend their accounts, states were expected to create accounts 

beyond the initial targets in order to expend the full demonstration grant. 

Table I.2. Overview of the Eight PRA Demonstration States 

State 

Agency 

Regions/ Geographic 

Areas Total Fundinga 

Targeted 

Number of PRA 

Participants 

Implementation Date 

(When PRA Offers 

Were First Made) 

Florida Agency for 

Workforce Innovation 

(AWI) 

Region 14 

Regions 3,4,5 (Consortium 

of Panhandle counties) 

$1,733,325 495 March 14-31, 2005 

(varies by region) 

Hawaii Department of 

Labor and Industrial 

Relations (DLIR) 

Hilo One-Stop Career 

Center 

Kona One-Stop Career 

Center 

Molokai One-Stop Career 

Center

$568,186 160 August 2006 

Idaho Department of 

Commerce and Labor 

(IDCL) 

Coeur d’Alene One-Stop 

Center 

Idaho Falls One-Stop 

Center 

Boise One-Stop Career 

Center 

Meridian One-Stop Career 

Center 

Canyon County One-Stop 

Career Center 

Lewiston One-Stop Career 

Center 

$2,099,659 593 March 7, 2005 

Minnesota Department 

of Employment & 

Economic Development 

(DEED) 

Anoka Workforce Center 

Dakota Workforce Center 

Cambridge Workforce 

Center 

Mankato Workforce Center 

$2,749,793 813 March 15, 2005 

Mississippi Department 

of Employment Security 

(MDES) 

Tunica WIN Center 

Gulfport WIN Center 

Clarksdale WIN Center 

Columbus WIN Center 

McComb WIN Center 

Pascagoula WIN Center

$1,735,079 503 March 24, 2005 
 5 

 I: What Are Personal Reemployment Accounts? 

Table 1.2 (continued) 

State 

Agency 

Regions/ Geographic 

Areas Total Fundinga 

Targeted 

Number of PRA 

Participants 

Implementation Date 

(When PRA Offers 

Were First Made) 

Montana Department of 

Labor & Industry (DLI) 

Belgrade One-Stop Center 

Butte One-Stop Center 

Cut Bank One-Stop Center 

Lewistown One-Stop 

Center 

$557,792 158 April 11, 2005 

Texas Workforce 

Commission (TWC) 

Texoma and Gulf Coast 

Workforce Development 

Areas 

$2,207,022 625 April 7, 2005 

West Virginia Bureau of 

Employment Programs 

(BEP) 

Statewide $683,462 196 March 14, 2005 

Total — $12,334,318 3,543 — 

Source: Funding information provided by ETA and State Plans; telephone interviews conducted in the spring of 

2005 and fall of 2006. 

Note: Italics indicate sites that were added with the second round of demonstration funding in 2006 (with PY 

2005 funds). 

a

Includes PY 2004 and/or PY 2005 Wagner-Peyser Reemployment Services (RES) formula allocation plus DOL 

WIA demonstration funds dollar-for-dollar match up to $750,000. Florida, Montana, Texas, and West Virginia 

received funding from PY 2004 only; Hawaii from PY 2005 only; Idaho, Minnesota, and Mississippi received 

demonstration funding in both cycles. 

Seven of the eight states implemented PRAs in One-Stop Career Centers representing 

specific geographic or workforce investment areas. One state—West Virginia—offered 

PRAs statewide. The first PRA offers were made by all seven original states from early 

March through mid-April of 2005; the first offers in Hawaii were made in August of 2006. 

Federal guidance developed by ETA provides the basic framework on which PRAs are 

built, however, states and local participating sites were given broad discretion over PRA 

policy and procedures. PRA planning, policy-setting and, often, administration, are 

centralized within the state workforce agency in six states—Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, 

Mississippi, Montana, and West Virginia. Local workforce investment boards played a 

significant role in PRA planning in Florida and Texas, and factored largely into the ongoing 

oversight and administration of PRAs. PRAs have not significantly altered staffing or 

service delivery structures within the participating One-Stop Career Centers. Most sites do 

not have a position dedicated solely to PRAs, but PRAs are typically administered by highly 

experienced staff. 

C. EVALUATION PURPOSE AND METHODOLOGY

The PRA demonstration provided a unique opportunity to examine this approach to 

delivering reemployment services in a diverse set of policy and service contexts. The 

evaluation of the PRA demonstration was designed to document the implementation 
6 

I: What Are Personal Reemployment Accounts? 

process and analyze quantitative data on the types and extent of use of the accounts as well 

as the outcomes for account holders. The evaluation of the PRA demonstration was guided 

by the following five research questions: 

• How did the state and local demonstration sites plan for, implement, and 

operate PRAs? 

• What is the rate of acceptance of PRA offers among eligible UI claimants, and 

what factors contribute to their decision to accept the offer? 

• To what types of expenditures do recipients direct PRA funds, and what is the 

average level of per-recipient use of PRA funds? 

• What are the patterns of receipt of UI benefits among PRA recipients, and what 

are their employment outcomes? 

• What implementation successes and challenges have the PRA demonstration 

states experienced, and what do those experiences say about expanding selfmanaged accounts in the workforce investment system? 

The demonstration began in early 2005 when ETA made grants to the original seven 

demonstration states and initial offers were made to eligible individuals. The evaluation 

period ran from the time the initial offers were made through late 2007, just over two and a 

half years. The evaluation involved a qualitative and a quantitative study, described in detail 

below. 

1. Qualitative Study 

The qualitative study included an implementation study of the demonstration states and 

a focus group study of PRA participants. Separate reports resulting from these studies have 

been completed. The interim evaluation report, completed in September 2006, details 

findings about PRA policy development and implementation in the seven original 

demonstration states. Information about policy and implementation presented in this final 

report comes from the implementation study. Findings from the focus group study are 

integrated throughout this report as well and are summarized in Appendix A. 

a. Implementation Study 

The implementation study included three stages of data collection as follows: 

(1) Planning and Early Implementation Period. In the first stage, the 

evaluation team conducted telephone interviews with state-level administrators 

in each demonstration state to collect information on the planning and early 

implementation of the PRA demonstration. These interviews, completed in 

late summer and early fall 2005 (fall 2006 for Hawaii), covered site selection, 

policies that determined the structure and use of the PRA, training for 
 7 

 I: What Are Personal Reemployment Accounts? 

demonstration staff as coordinated by the state, the role of the local Workforce 

Investment Board (WIB), the degree of local discretion in implementing the 

demonstration, and the successes, challenges, and lessons learned from the 

perspective of the state. 

(2) Steady-state Period. The second stage involved a combination of telephone 

interviews and on-site visits to each demonstration site. Researchers on the 

evaluation team conducted individual and/or small group interviews with local 

administrators and staff, observed the PRA offer process (also through group 

and/or individual meetings), and reviewed data collection and entry procedures. 

The intent was to observe PRA implementation during a period of “steady 

state” operations—at about the point when a site had made PRA offers 

representing at least 50 percent of its initial target. However, the states and the 

sites varied widely in terms of the rate at which PRA offers were made and the 

offers were accepted. Some sites expected to achieve their initial target within 

four to six months of implementation, while others projected that it could take 

closer to one year. Site visits were scheduled such that researchers could 

observe the PRA offer and entry process as experienced by the majority of 

eligible individuals (regardless of a site’s timing in meeting PRA targets). As a 

result, interviews and on-site observations occurred over the period from 

summer 2005 to January 2006. 

(3) Follow-up Periods. The final stages of data collection for the implementation 

study involved telephone interviews at two follow-up periods. In fall 2006, 

researchers conducted interviews with staff in each demonstration state and site 

to collect information on their PRA experience after they had been through the 

full life cycle of a substantial number of PRAs. The interviews covered (1) staff 

perceptions of how PRA funds are used, for what purposes and at what level, 

and of the outcomes for PRA recipients; (2) reasons for PRA account closures 

and the process for re-obligating unused balances toward new offers; (3) 

significant changes in PRA policy, staffing structure, or implementation 

procedures since the second stage of data collection; and (4) comprehensive 

views (state and local level; administrators and staff) of the challenges, 

successes, and lessons of PRA implementation. A final round of interviews, 

only with state PRA coordinators, was completed in fall 2007 to collect 

information about state experiences in closing out their demonstration grants 

and their perceptions of any lasting lessons and/or effects from their PRA 

experience. 

b. Focus Group Study 

Early findings from the implementation study in the seven original demonstration states 

highlighted that few PRA recipients used the account to purchase services and receive a 

bonus and that some PRA recipients did not use their account at all. To learn more about 

these patterns, ETA requested a focus group study to examine how UI claimants respond to 

the structure and incentives of the PRA. 
8 

I: What Are Personal Reemployment Accounts? 

For this study, focus groups were conducted with four types of PRA claimants: (1) 

recipients who primarily used the PRA to purchase supportive services (at least $1,200 of the 

$3,000 account), (2) those who received an employment entry bonus and had minimal 

service purchases (less than $600 spent on services), (3) those who accepted the PRA offer 

but made minimal or no use of the account (less than $600), and (4) those who declined the 

offer completely. None of the focus groups included individuals who purchased substantial 

amounts of employment services or training because few PRA recipients made these 

purchases (discussed in Chapter IV). 

Focus groups were assembled to target each of the four specific PRA groups of interest. 

Using each state’s PRA data, individuals were selected for participation based on their PRA 

decisions (acceptance and/or spending patterns) within a specified timeframe, rather than a 

random sample over the course of the evaluation. Inherent in focus groups is the selfselection process that influences who attends and who does not, despite thorough 

recruitment efforts. 

A total of ten focus groups were conducted in four PRA demonstration states in 

September and October 2007 with a purposefully selected sample of PRA users and 

nonusers. Overall, 82 individuals participated in the groups, which ranged from 4 to 11 

participants per group. In total, the attendance rate was 18 percent among those invited 

(450 invitees), and 71 percent among those who indicated that they would come (116 

confirmed attendees). 

2. Quantitative Study 

The quantitative study involved the collection and analysis of aggregate-level and 

individual-level data, both of which were used to describe PRA activity and recipient 

outcomes in the demonstration states and to examine any variation across the states. The 

initial aggregate-level data analysis, included in the interim evaluation report, focused on 

PRA activity and expenditures by state for the initial three quarters of implementation. 

These data, collected from the required “Quarterly Activity and Expenditure Reports on the 

PRA Demonstration,” provided some suggestive information on acceptance rates and uses 

of PRAs. The aggregate data, however, are limited because they did not reflect the full life 

cycle of most of the accounts. In addition, aggregate data cannot be used for certain 

analyses (such as building a picture of average per-recipient uses of the PRA). 

The analysis of individual-level PRA and UI data—the focus of this final evaluation 

report—enriches the understanding of the use of and outcomes associated with PRAs in 

each demonstration state. By looking at these data in the context of data from the 

qualitative study, the report composes a picture of how the structure and implementation of 

PRAs may influence recipients’ choices and preferences regarding their acceptance and use. 

The individual-level data for each participating site in each of the seven original 

demonstration states was collected and analyzed in fall 2007 in preparation for this final 
 9 

 I: What Are Personal Reemployment Accounts? 

report on the PRA demonstration.5 The data for each state generally cover a two and a halfyear period, from the time initial PRA offers were made in early 2005 through summer 2007. 

D. ROADMAP TO THE REPORT

The next chapter summarizes findings from the implementation study about PRA 

policy and implementation that affect the structure of PRAs (Chapter II). The following five 

chapters present findings from the analysis of individual-level PRA and UI data about 

responses to the PRA, specifically about acceptance rates and the characteristics of PRA 

recipients and those who declined the account (Chapter III), the types of uses of the account 

(Chapter IV), patterns of account use (Chapter V), and outcomes of all PRA recipients as 

well as those of different groups of PRA recipients, distinguished by their patterns of 

account use (Chapter VI). Findings from the implementation and focus group studies are 

integrated throughout these chapters to provide greater context for understanding and 

interpreting recipient responses. Chapter VII discusses issues in managing the PRAs at the 

state and local level and summarizes the perceptions of program administrators and staff 

about the PRA, based on their experiences throughout the demonstration. The concluding 

chapter provides a summary of key findings from the PRA demonstration evaluation and the 

potential implications of these findings for future employment and training initiatives 

designed to encourage recipient choice and self-managed accounts 

. 

 5 Analysis of individual-level PRA and UI data for Hawaii will occur in the summer of 2008 to allow 

sufficient time for the majority of PRAs in that state to run their full course. A separate summary report on 

Hawaii will be produced at that time. 

C HAPTER II 

S TRUCTURE OF PRA S

ederal guidance developed by ETA provides the basic framework on which PRAs 

must be built. However, there were a number of opportunities for the demonstration 

states to tailor the PRA structure according to their workforce investment systems. In 

general, the demonstration states adopted the PRA structure as set by federal policy with few 

adaptations to key features of federal guidance on bonus payments or allowable uses of PRA 

funds to purchase services. Nonetheless, there is some state-to-state variation in PRA policy 

and structure that may have affected staff practices and individual responses to the initiative. 

This chapter summarizes the policies and procedures that govern (1) the bonus payments, 

(2) service uses of PRA funds, and (3) account management practices.6

 The chapter also 

provides an overview of PRA entry and monitoring procedures in the demonstration states. 

Understanding each state’s framework for the PRA will assist in interpreting the responses 

to the PRA that are described in the chapters that follow. 

A. BONUS PAYMENTS

Federal policy is most prescriptive in the area of bonus payments. The non-negotiable 

structure of the bonuses defines the first bonus—the employment entry bonus—as 60 

percent of the bonus cap or of the remaining account balance at the time of employment, 

whichever is less; the second bonus—the employment retention bonus—is 40 percent of the 

same. To qualify for the employment entry bonus, a PRA recipient must obtain full-time, 

permanent employment by the 13th compensable UI week, but not in his or her original job 

with the same employer.7 Only recipients who receive the employment entry bonus are 

eligible for the retention bonus. To qualify for the retention bonus, a PRA recipient must 

have a full-time permanent job for six consecutive months or 24 weeks. The job that merits 

the retention bonus does not have to be with the same employer as the job that merits the 

 6 Detailed discussions of policy development in each of these areas and others are included in the interim 

evaluation report (Kirby 2006). 

7 Montana uses 32 hours per week to determine eligibility for the PRA bonus; all other states define fulltime employment as at least 35 hours of work per week. 

F
12 

II: Structure of PRAs 

employment entry bonus, but employment cannot be interrupted for more than one week. 

If recipients do not qualify for the second bonus, they can access PRA funds to support 

another job search only if they did not lose the job through any fault of their own. 

Within this framework, the demonstration states had the flexibility to set the cap on 

which bonuses are calculated at less than the full account of $3,000 and could vary the 

timing of employment entry by which an individual qualifies for the first bonus. Five of the 

eight states—Florida, Hawaii, Mississippi, Montana, and West Virginia—adopted the 

federally set maximum bonus and timing wholesale (Table II.1). In these states, PRA 

recipients employed in full-time, permanent positions by the end of the 13th UI week are 

eligible for a maximum employment entry bonus of $1,800; after six months of continuous 

employment, the same recipients are eligible for a maximum employment retention bonus of 

$1,200. Two demonstration states—Idaho and Texas—were interested in providing a 

stronger financial incentive as motivation for earlier reemployment and decreased the bonus 

caps after a defined number of weeks of UI receipt had passed. To receive the full $1,800 

employment entry bonus possible (60 percent of $3,000), PRA recipients had to gain 

employment by the end of the 8th week of UI receipt in Idaho and by the end of the 10th

week in Texas. After that time and up until the 13th week of UI receipt, recipients in Idaho 

and Texas could only receive a possible $1,200 employment entry bonus (60 percent of a 

lower bonus cap of $2,000). 

Table II.1. Bonus Structure in the PRA Demonstration States 

 Employment by End of UI Week Bonus cap 

Florida 

Hawaii 

Mississippi 

Montana 

West Virginia 

13 $3,000 

Idaho 8

9-13 

$3,000 

$2,000 

Texas 10 

11-13 

$3,000 

$2,000 

Minnesota Initially varied by PRA recipient based on UI weekly benefit 

amount; changed to $3,000 cap for all in July 2006 

Source: Site visits and interviews conducted July 2005 through January 2006; supplemented by telephone 

interviews conducted in fall 2006 and fall 2007. 

Minnesota’s original tiered bonus structure limited the combined amount of the PRA 

bonus and cumulative UI benefits received at any given time to 80 percent of the individual’s 

maximum eligible UI benefit, so the possible bonus amount differed for each recipient and 

decreased with each passing week. The tiered bonus structure was intended to reduce the 

incentive for recipients to accept a low-wage job or job that lacked long-term prospects. 

After slightly over a year into implementation, program administrators and staff believed that 

the tiered structure did not appear to encourage recipients to accept higher-wage jobs, and 

the bonus calculation made it more difficult for staff and recipients to understand. As a 
 13 

 II: Structure of PRAs 

result, in July 2006, the state replaced its tiered structure with the federally defined 60-40 

bonus allocation of the full $3,000 account. 

B. SERVICE USES OF PRA FUNDS: TRAINING, INTENSIVE, AND SUPPORTIVE 

SERVICES

Federal policy on the use of PRA funds is intentionally broad in order to promote 

individual choice and flexibility in creating and following a reemployment plan. As with all 

job-seekers, PRA recipients are encouraged to fully utilize free core services available within 

the One-Stop Career Centers—for example, use of computers and other equipment and 

reference materials available in resource rooms, reviewing job listings, etc.—to assist them in 

their job search. Unlike other job seekers, PRA recipients must use their accounts to 

purchase any training, intensive, or supportive services. The planning guidance for the PRAs 

(ETA December 2004) states that “purchases should have a direct correlation to the 

individual’s search for work, participation in training, or basic support while in the process.” 

The guidance also specifies that One-Stop Career Centers “must honor participant choices 

in all cases other than those it deems egregious, wholly unreasonable and inappropriate.” 

This broad guidance gave state workforce agencies, local boards, and job seekers a great deal 

of discretion in determining how PRAs can be used. 

1. Training 

In theory, the PRA offers an alternative to WIA-funded routes—ITAs in particular—

for training. ITAs can, in many places, provide a higher level of financial support for 

training, but access to ITAs is based on eligibility and funding availability, and they can be 

used to purchase training only from approved providers; that is, those on the state’s eligible 

training provider list (ETPL). On the other hand, once offered, the PRA is guaranteed and 

highly flexible in terms of what it can purchase. According to all the demonstration states 

and participating sites, the PRA can be used to purchase training from virtually any type of 

provider, including those not on the ETPL. A few of the participating sites, however, limited 

the use of the PRA for training purposes based on the duration of the training program. 

Three of the Florida sites and the state of West Virginia limited PRA use to “short-term” 

training or certification programs, defined as running for one year or less, to help ensure that 

participants could successfully complete their training programs. 

2. Intensive Services 

PRA funds can be used to purchase intensive services—for example, one-on-one career 

counseling, career and skills assessments, resume development, and mock interviewing—

offered directly by the One-Stop Career Center, by center partner agencies, or by any other 

entity within the broader community. Importantly, acceptance of a PRA offer precludes free

access to WIA intensive services that are offered in the One-Stop Career Center system, but 

PRA funds can be used to purchase these services at cost. Participating sites were encouraged 

by ETA, but not required, to develop a pricing system for their WIA intensive services in 

order to include them among the menu of services available to PRA recipients. Five of the 

eight states developed pricing systems for their WIA intensive services, either by pricing a 
14 

II: Structure of PRAs 

few key services or by developing a cost per service per hour. Three states and one site—

Idaho, Hawaii, Montana, and Region 14 in Florida—decided against pricing WIA intensive 

services for purchase by PRA recipients. In these states, PRA recipients could still purchase 

intensive services from providers outside of the One-Stop Career Center. 

3. Supportive Services 

The only federal guidance specific to supportive service purchase with PRAs is to 

provide examples of inappropriate uses—including, entertainment expenses, parking tickets 

or legal fines, the purchase of alcohol or tobacco, or the purchase of gifts. The states and 

local sites had the discretion to formulate their own policies to define caps on payments and 

allowable uses. The majority of the states and sites interpreted the lack of federal policy in 

the area of supportive services as part of the intent to promote choice, flexibility, and 

individual ownership in the use of the accounts. Most of the states allowed a broad range of 

uses of the PRA and none of the states placed caps specifically on supportive service 

payments. 

Throughout all states, allowable supportive service requests fall into three categories: 

(1) assistance to meet a condition of employment (expenses necessary to secure a specific 

job offer), (2) logistical support for training, intensive services, or job search (for example, 

child care and transportation costs), and (3) general expenses in support of job search 

activities. The states and sites universally agree that PRA funds can be used for category 1 

and 2 services, as they are clearly associated with reemployment activities (Table II.2). For 

example, in every demonstration site, a PRA recipient may use his/her account to purchase 

any tools, supplies, or clothing that a new employer requires. They may also use PRA funds 

to cover fees for testing or certification that is a condition of employment. In addition, PRA 

funds may cover expenses related to specific out-of-area job interviews (not a general job 

search) and relocation expenses. Similarly, in every site, a PRA recipient may use account 

funds for child care and transportation costs that facilitate a documented job search, 

participation in approved training program, or access to intensive services. 

Table II.2. Supportive Services Policies in the PRA Demonstration States 

Reemployment Uses 

Condition of employment Allowable in all states 

Logistical support of training, intensive services, or job 

search 

Allowable in all states 

General expenses in support of job search activities No allowable uses in West Virginia 

Restrictions on uses for ongoing monthly 

expenses in Mississippi and Montana 

Only one restriction in Idaho and Florida: no 

mortgage payments 

No restrictions in Minnesota and Texas 

Centralized review process in Hawaii 

Source: Site visits and interviews conducted July 2005 through January 2006; supplemented by telephone 

interviews conducted in fall 2006 and fall 2007. 
 15 

 II: Structure of PRAs 

The disparity across the sites in allowable uses of PRA funds for supportive services 

comes in category 3, in which the relationship between a job search and reemployment is 

more of a judgment call (Table II.2). At one end of the spectrum is West Virginia, which 

does not allow the PRA to be used for any category 3 expenses. At the other end are 

Minnesota and Texas, which allow PRAs to be used for any supportive services. The other 

four original demonstration states will not allow the PRA to be used to cover mortgage 

payments (in line with WIA guidance). This is the only restriction on allowable uses in 

Idaho and Florida. In Mississippi and Montana, additional restrictions are placed on the use 

of the PRA for all ongoing monthly expenses such as car loan payments, utilities, or rent. 

Hawaii’s policy is broad when taken at face value, given that few restrictions have been 

defined, but in practice supportive service uses of the PRA are limited. The state introduced 

a centralized review process in the place of a prescriptive written policy about supportive 

service uses of the PRA. According to staff, the centralized review can be lengthy and 

require detailed documentation that ends up discouraging PRA use to purchase supportive 

services. 

C. ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT POLICIES

Policy on account management sets parameters for account inactivity and determines 

the method of PRA disbursements. There are no federal guidelines in this area, and the 

states and/or sites make decisions based on existing practices or on what they deem 

reasonable for effective fund management as the situation arises. 

1. Monitoring Account Inactivity 

Federal policy defines the period of validity for the PRA as one year, but qualitative data 

collection for the interim report identified most of the demonstration states and/or 

participating sites as having considered approaches for monitoring account inactivity with an 

eye toward closing inactive accounts early. However, only three states actually developed 

early closure policies and put these policies into practice to close PRAs earlier than the oneyear period (Table II.3). In Minnesota and West Virginia, PRAs are monitored for activity 

within the first six months. When there are no requests for disbursements made within that 

time, the accounts are closed and the funds recycled into new accounts for other eligible 

individuals.8

 Later in the demonstration period (in February 2007), Minnesota decreased the 

initial inactivity period to four months in order to come closer to spending down the full 

demonstration grant. By this time, administrators in Minnesota had determined that when 

PRA spending did occur, it was almost always within the first four months of account 

establishment. Hawaii adopted a policy to close accounts that have no activity for four 

consecutive months. In contrast to a time limit for the first disbursement from the account, 

the policy in Hawaii targets any four-month period of inactivity during the one-year life of a 

PRA as a trigger for account closure. This policy does not apply to recipients who earn the 

first bonus who must wait the 6-month retention period before accessing the second bonus. 

 8 Recipients in Minnesota and West Virginia who do not make use of their PRA are sent a reminder letter 

about the availability of the account and are generally given a few weeks to respond prior to account closure. 
16 

II: Structure of PRAs 

Table II.3. Policies Around Early Closure of PRAs Due to Inactivity 

Early Closure Based on: 

No Early Closure Policy 

No Disbursement Within Initial Period 

of Account 

Period of Inactivity at Any Time 

Over the Life of the Account 

Florida 

Idaho 

Mississippi 

Montana 

Texas 

Minnesota (6 months, decreased to 

4 months in February 2007) 

West Virginia (6 months) 

Hawaii (4 consecutive months) 

Source: Site visits and interviews conducted July 2005 through January 2006; supplemented by telephone 

interviews conducted in fall 2006 and fall 2007. 

2. Methods of Disbursements 

All bonus payments from PRAs are made directly to the individual account holder, but 

the participating states and sites decide the method of making disbursements for the 

purchase of services. Three decisions were possible: (1) to make direct payments 

(reimbursements) to PRA recipients for all account disbursements, (2) to use vouchers to 

pay service providers, or (3) to use a mix of direct payments and vouchers (Table II.4). 

Table II.4. Method of Service Disbursements 

Reimbursements to PRA 

Recipients Onlya

 Vendor Direct Payments Only Mixed Methods 

Hawaii 

Idaho 

Minnesota 

Mississippi 

Florida 

Montana 

West Virginia 

Texas 

Source: Site visits and interviews conducted July 2005 through January 2006; supplemented by telephone 

interviews conducted in fall 2006 and fall 2007. 

a

An exception is vendor payments that are made directly to select training providers. 

The participating states took different approaches based on ease in implementation as 

well as the “message” they want to send. For example, participating sites in Hawaii, Idaho, 

Minnesota, and Mississippi rely heavily on reimbursement because it is easier for them 

administratively and because the onus for the initial outlay is on the recipient. In these sites, 

vouchers are used only for a limited number of training providers (typically those on the 

ETPL for ITAs). In contrast, three demonstration states—Florida, Montana, and West 

Virginia—rely exclusively on voucher payments to providers regardless of the type of service 

(training, intensive, or supportive) because they believe that vouchers make providers more 

accountable for the goods or services they offer. Recipients in these sites still receive bonus 

payments directly, but they do not receive any direct service payments out of the PRA. 

Lastly, the two sites in Texas use a mix of the two disbursement approaches based on each 

individual’s requests and financial capacity. For example, training is often paid by voucher, 
 17 

 II: Structure of PRAs 

but some supportive services may be paid directly to the provider or through a two-party 

check when the account holder cannot afford the initial outlay. 

D. PRA ENTRY AND STAFF-TO-RECIPIENT CONTACT

PRA orientation and offer processes were integrated into existing methods of providing 

reemployment services in the participating One-Stop Career Centers. Across the board, the 

sites considered UI recipients to have received a PRA offer if they attended an orientation—

individual or group session. The estimated number of PRA offers made each week were 

generally quite low. Only one site in Florida reported making more than 20 offers, on 

average, each week. 

Orientations for UI recipients identified as likely to exhaust their benefits often 

addressed three general topics—general job search information, an overview of One-Stop 

Career Center services, and the PRA itself—although most did not cover all three. About 

half of the orientations observed during site visits focused exclusively on the PRA. 

Regardless of the range of topics discussed during orientations, PRA-specific information 

was presented in an average of about 30 minutes. The PRA-specific information provided in 

orientations varied widely across the sites, specifically in the depth and clarity of how the 

PRA relates to other One-Stop Career Center services and the choices potential account 

holders must make (given that the PRA is voluntary and requires foregoing WIA services). 

After the account is established, any contact between an account holder and One-Stop 

Career Center staff is initiated by the account holder. Contact between PRA recipients and 

staff is limited to the purpose of withdrawing account funds and occurs predominantly via 

telephone, email, or mail. There is no free access to career counseling and limited face-toface contact overall. The frequency of contact varies by the nature and number of requests; 

that is, PRA staff have frequent contact with account holders who use the PRA primarily for 

supportive services and minimal contact with those who pursue the bonus. 

C HAPTER III 

A CCEPTANCE R ATES AND 

C HARACTERISTICS OF PRA R ECIPIENTS

o learn from, refine, and possibly expand PRAs or similar self-managed accounts, it is 

necessary to understand how customers respond to them: Will people accept the 

PRA offer, and if they do, how will they use PRA funds to gain employment? This 

chapter begins the exploration into the responses of unemployed workers to the PRAs. It 

begins by discussing the rates at which potential recipients—those offered the PRA—accept 

it and open an account. The chapter then describes the demographic and employment 

characteristics of those who accepted the PRA offer, and of those who did not. While 

quantitative data is lacking to fully explore the reasons behind decisions to accept or not 

accept the PRA offer, the data available coincide with qualitative reports from program staff 

and PRA customers suggesting that acceptance decisions are often associated with decisions 

about training. 

A. ACCEPTANCE RATES

Before the PRA demonstration, there was not enough information to estimate the rate 

of acceptance of a voucher that combines financial support for reemployment services with 

lump sum bonus payments. Looking exclusively at the bonus component, Illinois had the 

only early bonus experiment similar to the PRAs in requiring an acceptance of the bonus 

offer; the acceptance rate there was 80 percent (Woodbury and Spiegelman 1987). Focusing 

on the account as a means of purchasing services, we are left with only the ITA Experiment 

on which to base an acceptance estimate. Among individuals in select experimental sites 

who were required only to attend an orientation to gain access to an ITA—the approach 

most similar to the process for accessing PRAs—74 percent completed the orientation to 

pursue training funds (Perez-Johnson et al. 2004). 

Because PRAs act as both incentive payments and service purchase accounts, the 

decision to accept the offer may be more complex than it was in earlier initiatives. 

Individuals who believe they can find a job quickly with little or no need of intensive 

reemployment services may be likely to accept the PRA offer because of the reemployment 

bonuses. Others may choose to weigh the relative risks and benefits associated with PRAs 

compared to other forms of reemployment assistance from within or outside the One-Stop 

Career Center, and make an acceptance decision based on their personal needs and interests. 

T
20 

III: Acceptance Rates and Characteristics of PRA Recipients 

45

55 56

68

75

80

70

58

46

56

61

75 76

87 88

64

0

20

40

60

80

100

Minnesota Florida West

Virginia

Texas Montana Idaho Mississippi Total

Percent

Rates as of December 2005 Rates as of June 2007

Specifically, because individuals must forgo other routes of reemployment assistance in order 

to accept the PRA, lower acceptance rates than those experienced under previous strategies 

might be expected. 

Indeed, 64 percent of all individuals who were offered a PRA accepted it. However, the 

acceptance rates differ substantially across the demonstration states. Overall, acceptance 

rates currently range from a low of 46 percent in Minnesota to a high of 88 percent in 

Mississippi. Over the course of the PRA demonstration, three states—Florida, Minnesota, 

and West Virginia—have consistently had acceptance rates at the lower end of the range, 

while the other four states—Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, and Texas—have consistently had 

higher rates (Figure III.1). 

Figure III.1. PRA Acceptance Rates, 2005 and 2007 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA data on recipients and decliners provided by Idaho, 

Mississippi, Texas, and West Virginia, and on state quarterly activity and expenditure reports on 

the PRA demonstration, as of June 2007 for Florida, Minnesota, and Montana.

PRA acceptances rates have either improved (Idaho, Mississippi, Texas, and West 

Virginia) or remained about the same (Florida, Minnesota, and Montana) within each state 

over the course of the demonstration. In West Virginia, the acceptance rate increased 5 

percentage points; Idaho and Texas both increased their acceptance rates by 7 percentage 

points; and Mississippi experienced the greatest increase in the rate of acceptance by 18 
 21 

 III: Acceptance Rates and Characteristics of PRA Recipients 

percentage points. These increases suggest that there may have been improvements in the 

orientation and intake process in some states. 

Before exploring potential reasons for the differences in state acceptance rates and why 

some customers decline the PRA offer, it is important to first understand who it is that 

accepts the PRA, as discussed in the next section. 

B. CHARACTERISTICS OF PRA RECIPIENTS

Little is known about the characteristics of UI recipients deemed likely to exhaust their 

benefits—the pool of individuals from which PRA recipients are drawn. An individual’s 

likelihood of exhausting his/her UI benefits is determined through the WPRS system, but 

there are substantial differences in WPRS models across the demonstration states (Sullivan 

et al. 2007).9

 For example, Idaho uses a “decision tree” based on industry, county of 

residence, marital status, job tenure, and education. Minnesota, Montana, Texas, and West 

Virginia all use logit models each based on somewhat different sets of independent variables 

that are similar to Idaho’s. 

WPRS models do not include variables related to gender, age, or race and therefore will 

not directly generate differences in these characteristics between UI recipients deemed likely 

to exhaust their benefits and other UI recipients. Nonetheless, explanatory variables 

included in the models that are correlated with these characteristics may indirectly produce 

differences that distinguish these UI recipients from others. In an analysis of the 

characteristics of profiled claimants (those deemed “likely to exhaust”) in three states in the 

late 1990s, the only finding that was consistent across the states was that the group targeted 

for profiling services was older than the group that was not targeted by the profiling models 

(Dickinson et al. 1999). 

Information on the characteristics of PRA recipients specifically has been similarly 

lacking. Qualitative information gathered from site staff in 2005 provided little insight; there 

were no obvious patterns in gender, race, ethnicity, education level, or prior earnings or 

occupation among PRA recipients that they encountered. The current analysis provides the 

first picture of who PRA recipients are, the kinds of jobs they have held, and how these 

characteristics may differ by state. 

1. Demographic Characteristics at PRA Entry 

The majority of PRA recipients are white, between the ages of 35 and 54, and have a 

high school diploma but less than a college degree (Table III.1). About half of recipients are 

men and are married. But, there is substantial variation in some of these characteristics 

across the states, with PRA recipients in Mississippi and West Virginia often differing the 

most from those in other states. 

 9 A couple of demonstration states applied additional eligibility requirements specific to the PRA to those 

UI recipients who were deemed likely to exhaust (Kirby 2006). 
22 

III: Acceptance Rates and Characteristics of PRA Recipients 

Overall, 68 percent of PRA recipients are white, and in every state the largest 

proportion of recipients is white. In Mississippi, nearly equal percentages of PRA recipients 

are white (49 percent) and African American (48 percent). Other states with sizeable 

portions of African Americans are Florida and Texas at 19 and 25 percent, respectively. 

Florida also has the largest percentage of Hispanic recipients at 28 percent, followed by 

Minnesota and Idaho at 15 and 14 percent, respectively. 

The age distribution of PRA recipients is about what could be expected based on what 

was previously known, or suspected, about UI recipients deemed likely to exhaust their 

benefits. The median age of PRA recipients across the states ranges from 39 in Mississippi 

to 47 in West Virginia, while in the remaining five states the median age is 44 or 45. Overall, 

the majority of all PRA recipients (56 percent) are between the ages of 35 and 54; those less 

than 25 years old comprise only 7 percent of all recipients. The only state with a 

substantially different age distribution is Mississippi, where 13 percent of recipients are 

under the age of 25, and 24 percent are between the ages of 25 and 34 (compared to 

5 percent and 18 percent, respectively, in the other six states). 

In all the demonstration states, the education levels of PRA recipients are heavily 

clustered between those with high school diplomas and those with some college but not a 

degree. However, there is a divide between the demonstration states in the patterns of 

educational attainment, with one state bridging this divide. In four of the seven states—

Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, and Texas—the majority (56 to 62 percent) of PRA recipients 

have education beyond high school, with at least one in every five recipients having 

completed at least a four-year college degree. In contrast, in West Virginia and Mississippi, 

the substantial majority (64 and 71 percent, respectively) of PRA recipients have a high 

school education or less, with only one in every ten recipients completing a four-year degree 

in West Virginia and very few (1 percent) doing so in Mississippi. PRA recipients in Florida 

are evenly split, with half pursuing education beyond high school and half not, however, 

among those with at least a high school diploma, the majority have completed a four-year 

degree or more. 

Men comprise the majority of PRA recipients in only two states—Minnesota and West 

Virginia—even though men are consistently in the majority in the labor force, among the 

unemployed, and among UI recipients.10 Men are underrepresented in Florida and Texas at 

42 and 43 percent, respectively. They make up roughly half of the PRA recipients in 

Montana, Mississippi, and Idaho. On average, PRA recipients are evenly split between males 

and females. 

 10 Comparison statistics on labor force participation and unemployment rates by gender from the Bureau 

of Labor Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t01.htm); on demographic characteristics of UI 

recipients from ETA (http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/unemploy/chariu/dstrpt.asp). 
Table III.1. Characteristics of Recipients at PRA Entry (Percentages, Unless Stated Otherwise) 

 Florida Idaho Minnesota Mississippi Montana Texas 

Gender 

Male 42 47 56 49 50 43 

Female 58 53 44 51 50 57 

Age 

Less than 25 years 4 6 6 13 6 4 25 to 34 years 20 17 15 24 14 22 35 to 44 years 25 29 29 26 27 23 45 to 54 years 29 29 34 22 36 32 

55 years and over 22 19 15 15 17 19 

Average Age in Years 44.0 43.6 43.5 40.0 44.4 43.3 

Median Age in Years 45 44 45 39 45 45 Ethnicity/Race 

Non-Hispanic, white 50 80 77 49 77 62 Non-Hispanic, black 19 1 4 48 0 25 Non-Hispanic, other races 4 5 4 2 23 3 

Hispanic, any race 28 14 15 1 1 9 

Educational Attainment 

Less than high school diploma/ GED 

7 8 5 16 6 7 

High school diploma/GED 43 30 37 55 39 37 Some college/2-year degree 22 40 35 28 31 35 Completed 4-year college 20 17 15 1 15 16 

Post-graduate education 9 6 9 0 10 

Current Marital Status -- -- 

Unmarried (single or cohabitating) 

 36 28 20 31 

Married 51 42 55 52 

Separated, divorced, or widowed 

 13 30 25 18 

Has Children Under 18 38 -- 37 44 47 41 Has a Disability 2 2 -- 11 -- 1 Total Number of Recipients 430 475 885 847 157 740 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. Note: Sums may not total to 100 due to rounding. -- Data not available. 
24 

III: Acceptance Rates and Characteristics of PRA Recipients 

In three states for which data are available—Minnesota, Montana, and Texas—the 

majority of PRA recipients are married; in Mississippi only 42 percent are married. On 

average, 40 percent of PRA participants had a child under 18 years old. 

2. Characteristics of the Last Job Held Prior to PRA Entry 

The top three industries in which the majority of all PRA recipients (57 percent) were 

employed just prior to PRA entry are: (1) the trade, transportation, and utilities sector, (2) 

manufacturing, and (3) professional and business services that includes professional, 

scientific, and technical services and management of companies (Table III.2). The trade, 

transportation, and utilities industry in itself had employed 21 percent of all PRA recipients 

prior to their job loss. Across the states, 42 to 67 percent of all recipients were employed in 

these top three industries. Nearly 12 percent of PRA recipients had previously held jobs in 

the education and health services industries and another 8 percent in financial activities 

industries. Adding these industries to the top three covers the industries in which 77 percent 

of recipients were employed prior to PRA entry; across the states, 67 to 90 percent of PRA 

recipients were employed in these five industries. 

Table III.2. Industry of Last Job Prior to PRA Entry (percentages) 

 All States 

Trade, Transportation, and Utilities 21.4 

Manufacturing 18.2 

Professional and Business Services 17.5 

Education and Health Services 11.6 

Financial Activities 8.2 

Leisure and Hospitality 5.0 

Construction 4.9 

Other Services 4.4 

Public Administration 3.9 

Information 2.8 

Natural Resources and Mining 2.1 

Total Number of Recipients 4,038 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

Overall, the most common occupation for 20 percent of all PRA recipients before PRA 

entry was office and administrative support (Table III.3). In each state, at least 14 percent of 

recipients had this occupation, and in some states (Texas and West Virginia) it was the 

occupation of 23 to 26 percent of recipients (data not shown but detailed in Appendix B, 
 25 

 III: Acceptance Rates and Characteristics of PRA Recipients 

Table B.3). Other common occupations were management, production, and sales. 

Together, these four occupations accounted for the majority of occupations (53 percent) in 

which PRA recipients were employed; state shares ranged from 43 to 58 percent. 

Table III.3. Occupation of Last Job Prior to PRA Entry (percentages) 

 All States 

Office and Administrative Support 19.9 

Management 12.0 

Production 11.2 

Sales and Related 10.0 

Construction and Extraction 6.1 

Business and Financial Operations 5.3 

Transportation and Material Moving 5.0 

Computer and Mathematical 3.8 

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair 3.8 

Healthcare Support 2.9 

Architecture and Engineering 2.8 

Food Preparation and Serving Related 2.8 

Education, Training, and Library 2.3 

Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance 2.1 

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical 1.9 

Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media 1.7 

Community and Social Services 1.3 

Protective Services 1.3 

Personal Care and Service 1.3 

Life, Physical, and Social sciences 0.8 

Legal 0.7 

Farming, Fishing, and Forestry 0.6 

Military Specific 0.5 

Total Number of Recipients 4,038 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

Prior to PRA entry, 89 percent of recipients worked full time (35 hours or more per 

week) and in every state the median participant worked 40 hours per week (Table III.4). In 

every state, the largest portion of PRA recipients earned between $10 and $20 per hour. 
26 

III: Acceptance Rates and Characteristics of PRA Recipients 

Recipients in Minnesota were generally the highest paid, with 20 percent earning $30.00 or 

more per hour prior to PRA entry and a median hourly rate among recipients of $18.47. At 

the other end of the wage spectrum were recipients in Montana and Mississippi, whose 

median hourly earnings were $11.00 or less and where 37 percent of all recipients earn less 

than $10.00 per hour (the equivalent of about $20,800 per year). 

Table III.4. Characteristics of Last Job Prior to PRA Entry (Percentages, Unless Stated 

Otherwise) 

 Florida Idaho Minnesota Mississippi Montana Texas 

West 

Virginia All States

Hours Worked Per Week 

Less than 20 1 3 9 2 5 0 -- 4 

20 to 34 1 7 16 6 15 1 -- 7 

35 or more 98 91 76 92 80 99 -- 89 

Average (in hours) 40 39 37 44 38 40 -- 40 

Median (in hours) 40 40 40 40 40 40 -- 40 

Hourly Rate of Pay 

Less than $10 17 16 6 37 37 25 28 23 

$10 to Less than $20 63 61 51 53 47 49 52 53 

$20 to Less than $30 13 16 23 8 12 14 17 15 

$30 or More 7 7 20 1 4 13 3 9 

Average $15.22 $16.34 $22.96 $12.32 $13.57 $18.85 $14.01 $16.87 

Median $13.00 $14.11 $18.47 $11.00 $10.79 $12.52 $13.86 $13.50 

Years on Job 

Average 3.2 6.4 12.4 1.8 2.6 6.3 11.5 7.2 

Median 1.8 4.0 10.0 0.9 1.0 2.3 11.1 3.5 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

Note: Sums may not total to 100 due to rounding. 

-- Data not available. 

Even while job tenure varied tremendously by state, PRA recipients are steady workers 

overall. The median recipient held his/her last job for 3.5 years and the average length of 

job tenure among all recipients is 7.2 years (Table III.4). The two states in which wages were 

lowest are also the states in which job tenures were the shortest, reflecting the job instability 

among low-wage workers. In Mississippi and Montana, the median recipient had held 

his/her last job for just about one year. In contrast, the median recipients in Minnesota and 
 27 

 III: Acceptance Rates and Characteristics of PRA Recipients 

West Virginia had worked in the same jobs for at least a decade prior to PRA entry. The job 

tenures among PRA recipients appear slightly lower than those among workers in general.11 

The median job tenure for all workers 25 and older was 4.9 years in 2006 (EBRI 2007). 

Looking at the age groups in which the majority of PRA recipients fall, job tenures among 

recipients ages 35 to 44 are 4.8 years for men and 3.7 years for women and for those ages 45 

to 54, the tenures are 8 years for men and 6 years for women. In comparison, for all 

workers ages 35 to 44, the median job tenure was 5.1 years for men and 4.6 for women in 

2006; for workers between the ages of 45 and 54, tenures were 8.1 for men and 6.7 for 

women in 2006. 

PRA recipients—who are all UI recipients—did not leave their last jobs by choice. 

Overall, 73 percent of recipients were laid off, another 10 percent were discharged or fired, 4 

percent lost their jobs when the business closed, 2 percent when their temporary or seasonal 

job ended, and 7 percent quit (Figure III.2).12 

3. UI Receipt at PRA Entry 

Most PRA recipients are eligible to receive UI benefits for 26 weeks—the maximum 

number of weeks typically provided under state UI programs (Table III.5). Methods of 

calculating the total number of weeks of UI benefit eligibility for any UI claimant varies 

among states but is generally reflective of the individual's prior labor market attachment. UI 

claimants with strong labor force attachment (as measured by total base period earnings 

and/or the number of quarters of employment during the base period) are eligible for a 

longer period of UI receipt up to the set maximum number of weeks. In Idaho and West 

Virginia, all PRA recipients are eligible for 26 weeks of benefits uniformly. In Mississippi, 71 

percent of recipients are eligible for 26 weeks of benefits and the rest for between 13 and 25 

weeks.13 Substantially fewer are eligible for 26 weeks of benefits in Florida, Texas, and 

Montana, however. In Florida, 36 percent are eligible for 26 weeks of benefits and the rest 

for between 9 and 25 weeks. In Texas, 31 percent are eligible for 26 weeks of benefits and 

the rest for between 17 and 25 weeks. In Montana, only 21 percent are eligible for 26 weeks 

of benefits and the rest for between 8 and 25 weeks. On average across all demonstration 

states (excluding Minnesota), PRA recipients are eligible for 23 weeks of UI benefits. 

 11 Comparable figures for unemployed workers may be the more appropriate yardstick but were not 

available. 

12 A person who quits a job can still be eligible for UI benefits if his/her departure is connected with 

reasons of health or safety, changes in job duties or location, harassment or physical intimidation at the 

workplace, which render the work unsuitable, or to follow a spouse to his or her new job in a different 

location. 

13A handful of PRA recipients in Mississippi are eligible for less than 13 weeks of UI benefits. In 

Mississippi, the most an individual can receive in UI benefits is 26 times the weekly benefit amount, or, onethird of the total wages in the base period, whichever is less. In some rare cases, this results in an eligibility 

period less than 13 weeks. 
28 

III: Acceptance Rates and Characteristics of PRA Recipients 

Figure III.2. Primary Reasons Among PRA Recipients for Leaving Last Job 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from six of the seven original demonstration states; 

data on reason for leaving last job were not available from Mississippi. Detailed data 

available in Table B.4 in the appendices. 

Laid Off

73%

Temporary or 

Seasonal Job 

Ended

2%

Discharged or 

Fired

10%

Quit

7%

Other Reason

4%

Business Closed

4%
 29 

 III: Acceptance Rates and Characteristics of PRA Recipients 

Table III.5. UI Eligibility Among PRA Recipients 

State 

Number of Weeks of UI 

Eligibility Allowed for 

PRA Recipients (Based 

on State Policies)a

Percent of PRA 

Recipients Eligible for 26 

Weeks 

Average Number of 

Weeks of UI Eligibility 

Florida 9-26 36% 22 

Idaho 26 100% 26 

Minnesota 11-26 -- -- 

Mississippi 13-26 71% 24 

Montana 8-28 21%b

 20 

Texas 17-26 31% 22 

West Virginia 26 100% 26 

All PRA States n/a 61% 23 

Source: Calculations based on PRA and UI data from the seven demonstration states. 

-- Data not available. 

n/a = not applicable. 

a

Based on state policies that apply to all UI recipients from the Comparison of State Unemployment 

Insurance Laws for 2005 and 2006 (ETA publications) and criteria that apply to PRA recipients specifically 

from the PRA Demonstration interim report (Kirby 2006). Idaho and Texas defined a more limited range in 

the weeks of UI eligibility for PRA recipients than that allowed among all UI recipients. 

b

In Montana, 5.7 percent of PRA recipients are eligible for 26 weeks of UI benefits and 11.5 percent are 

eligible for 27 or 28 weeks.

The Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA) that an individual can receive through a state’s UI 

program is based on a formula applied against the wages in the base period of the claim.14 

The formula used most widely by the states is the WBA will equal 1/26th of the wages in the 

highest quarter of earnings within the base period. Each state sets a cap on the maximum 

WBA that UI recipients can receive. At the start of the PRA demonstration in 2005, these 

maximums for the seven demonstration states ranged from $210 in Mississippi to $493 in 

Minnesota (Table III.6). Maximum WBAs have remained the same throughout the PRA 

demonstration period in Florida and Mississippi; they have increased slightly in the other five 

states. Two in every five PRA recipients receive the maximum WBA. At least half of PRA 

recipients in Florida, Mississippi, and Texas can receive the maximum. In the other four 

states, the maximum benefit is available to between 18 and 40 percent of PRA recipients. 

 14 All seven demonstration states use the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters as the base 

period from which to draw wages and test eligibility. 
30 

III: Acceptance Rates and Characteristics of PRA Recipients 

Table III.6. UI Weekly Benefit Amounts (WBA) Among PRA Recipients 

Maximum WBA 

(Based on State Policies)a

State 2005 2006 2007 

Percent of PRA 

Recipients Who 

Qualify for 

Maximum WBA Median WBA 

Florida $275 $275 $275 52% $275 

Idaho $325 $322 $338 26% $303 

Minnesota $493 $515 $521 18% $351 

Mississippi $210 $210 $210 56% $210 

Montana $335 $346 $362 23% $210 

Texas $336 $336 $364 52% $336 

West Virginia $366 $380 $391 40% $364 

All PRA States $334 $341 $367 40% $275 

Source: Information on WBAs obtained from the Comparison of State Unemployment Insurance 

Laws for 2005, 2006, and 2007 (ETA publications) applied by program year, which runs 

from July 1 through June 30; calculations based on PRA and UI data from the seven 

demonstration states. 

4. Timing of PRA Entry Relative to UI Claim 

Because there is a timeframe associated with the bonus component of the PRA, the 

timing of the PRA offer relative to the number of compensable UI weeks is important. It is 

possible that for some individuals, the timing of the offer may influence the decision to 

accept or not. Two factors determine when in the period of UI receipt eligible individuals 

first learn of the PRA. The first is whether individuals are determined as “likely to exhaust” 

their UI benefits at the time of the UI claim or after they receive the first UI payment. The 

second is how much notice eligible individuals are given about the PRA orientation. 

Findings from the implementation study suggest that the number of compensable UI 

weeks at the time of the PRA orientation (where PRA offers are made) may be lower in the 

three states of Minnesota, Mississippi, and West Virginia. These states determine likelihood 

of exhaust when the UI claim is made and they also have short notification periods for the 

orientations of one week or less (Kirby 2006). In fact, the median time from the UI claim to 

the PRA offer is shortest (at two and three weeks) in these three states (Table III.7). 
 31 

 III: Acceptance Rates and Characteristics of PRA Recipients 

Table III.7. Timing of PRA Offer and Entry Relative to UI Claim 

State 

Median Number of Weeks from UI 

Claim to PRA Offer 

Median Number of Weeks from UI 

Claim to PRA Entry 

West Virginia 2 2 

Minnesota 3 3 

Mississippi 3 3 

Idaho 4 4 

Texas 5 5 

Florida 6 7 

Montana 7 7 

All PRA States 4 4 

Source: Calculations based on PRA and UI data from the seven demonstration states. 

The offer is received later in the UI spell in Florida, Idaho, Montana, and Texas, 

because eligibility for PRA is determined after the first UI payment is made, rather than at 

the time of the claim. The median time from the UI claim to the PRA offer of six weeks in 

Florida is also the result of the timing of the PRA orientation. Florida provides the longest 

notice—two weeks—for eligible individuals to attend an orientation where they officially 

receive the PRA offer. 

The timing of the offer does not necessarily coincide with the establishment of an 

account, otherwise termed “PRA entry.” The states and/or sites set the time within which 

individuals must decide on the PRA offer; if the time limit expires, the offer is no longer 

valid. Offer limits range from a low of two days to no expiration. However, most of the 

sites limit the decision period to one or two weeks. 

Virtually all of the sites reported during the implementation study that among the 

individuals who accept the PRA, the majority do so immediately. This is reflected in the 

data that show no difference in the number of weeks between the median time of the offer 

and the median time of PRA entry for six of the seven states. In Florida, there is another 

week added from the time of the PRA offer to the time of PRA entry for the median 

recipient. Of the four PRA demonstration sites in Florida, one set a two-week expiration on 

the PRA offer and two did not set an expiration date for the offers at all. 

C. POTENTIAL REASONS FOR DECLINING THE PRA OFFER

The reasons for declining the PRA offer cannot be determined with certainty in this 

evaluation. The analysis and discussion presented in this section draws from the 

perspectives of program staff, PRA recipients who participated in focus groups, and the 

differences in demographic and employment characteristics between those who accept the 

PRA offer and those who decline it. There were 830 decliners and 2,883 accepters in the 
32 

III: Acceptance Rates and Characteristics of PRA Recipients 

sample used for analysis of possible differences between these two groups in Idaho, 

Mississippi, Texas, West Virginia, and one region in Minnesota. The analysis, therefore, does 

not represent all demonstration states, but only those for which data are available from both 

groups of unemployed workers that received the PRA offer. The acceptance rates across 

these states varied from 61 percent in West Virginia to 88 percent in Mississippi, with an 

overall average of 78 percent. While useful and informative, the analysis has its limitations. 

Specifically, the results are not controlled for differences across states, such that states which 

are overrepresented can influence the average characteristics of the group.15

1. Timing of PRA Entry and UI Receipt 

Due to variations in the eligibility and orientation processes that bring targeted UI 

claimants into the PRA program, it might be reasonable to assume that those who decline 

the PRA receive the offer later in their UI receipt, and decline because they are discouraged 

by their lowered prospects of earning the bonus. This does not appear to be the case, 

however. There is no difference in the timing of the PRA offer relative to UI receipt 

between those who accept and those who decline; both groups receive the offer at about 

four weeks from their UI claim date (Table III.8). 

Table III.8. Characteristics of UI Receipt Among Recipients at the Time of PRA Offer, by 

PRA Offer Decision (Percentages, Unless Stated Otherwise) 

 Accepters Decliners All Offers 

UI Claim Date to PRA Offer: 

Average Number of Weeks 3.9 3.9 3.9 

Median Number of Weeks 4.0 4.0 4.0 

Average Number of Weeks of UI Eligibility 23.9 24.3*** 24.0 

Average Weekly Benefit Amount $272 $297*** $277 

Total Number of Offers 2,883 830 3,713 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA data on recipients and decliners provided by 

Idaho, Mississippi, Texas, West Virginia, and one of four demonstration sites in 

Minnesota. 

*** Difference is statistically significant at the .01 level. 

 15 For example, West Virginia has the lowest acceptance rate and, as a result, 40 percent of the 

decliner group resides in this state. The characteristics of decliners, in some cases, may be a reflection of the 

differences in the characteristics of individuals in West Virginia, as compared to those in other states, rather 

than distinct differences between decliners and acceptors. 
 33 

 III: Acceptance Rates and Characteristics of PRA Recipients 

This is in agreement with findings from the focus group study, which suggested that the 

timing of the offer had less to do with the general acceptance decision than it did with the 

specific ways in which participants planned to use the PRA. A few focus group participants 

in nearly every group reported learning about the program well into their period of UI 

benefit receipt, which left them with only a few weeks to enroll in the program, and find and 

start a job in order to earn the bonus. While this was a factor that they weighed in their 

ability to earn the bonus, it did not seem to influence their decision to accept the offer. 

Focus group participants frequently understood that they had to select either the PRA or

WIA program; those who were not interested in training saw little risk in accepting the PRA 

offer, whether or not they would end up earning the bonus. 

There are small but significant differences in the number of weeks of UI eligibility and 

the average WBA between those who decline the offer and those who accept. Decliners are 

more likely to be UI-eligible for a period slightly closer to the 26-week maximum, and 

receive a higher WBA during this period. 

2. Demographic Characteristics 

Those who decline the PRA offer are more likely to be male, 55 years in age or older, 

and to have less education, in general, than those who accept the offer (Table III.9). In the 

limited data available, it appears that marital status does not substantially affect acceptance 

rates, but that parental status might. In Minnesota, Mississippi, and Texas (states for which 

these data are available), those with a child under 18 are much more likely to accept the PRA 

offer. 

These findings are largely consistent with the qualitative reports from program staff and 

focus group participants about the potential reasons for declining the PRA. First, both 

suggested that the primary reason for declining was a desire for training. All but one of the 

decliners (7 of the 82 focus group participants) described their interest in education and 

training as a deterrent to accepting the PRA offer. These individuals either were changing 

fields and needed training in a new area, or wanted to receive additional education or training 

before applying for jobs. It could follow that college-educated workers and those with a 

child under 18—who the data show to be more likely to accept the PRA—may be less 

interested or less able to pursue training, respectively. Similarly, PRA staff perceived that a 

primary reason for refusing an offer was an interest in pursuing other options precluded by 

the PRA. Specifically, individuals interested in training or education programs were often 

encouraged to learn more about the WIA dislocated worker program and the availability of 

ITA funds. Presumably, some portion of this group chooses WIA over the PRA. The 

pursuit of training or services through a route other than the PRA could help explain the 

lowest PRA acceptance rate in Minnesota; this state has a generously funded state dislocated 

worker program. 

Second, focus group participants suggested that the level of confidence one has in 

earning the bonus may not be a reason to decline, but it can promote acceptance. In 

particular, respondents who think they will find a job easily within the 13-week bonus 

qualification timeframe may accept the offer with few other considerations. It is possible 
34 

III: Acceptance Rates and Characteristics of PRA Recipients 

that younger workers (ages 25 to 44)—who the data show to be more likely to accept the 

PRA offer—are confident about getting a job and earning the bonus. 

Table III.9. Characteristics of Recipients at PRA Entry, by PRA Offer Decision 

(Percentages, Unless Stated Otherwise) 

 Accepters Decliners All Offers 

Gender 

Male 50 54** 51 

Female 50 46** 49 

Age 

Less than 25 years 7 7 7 

25 to 34 years 20 14*** 19 

35 to 44 years 25 20*** 24 

45 to 54 years 30 30 30 

55 years and over 18 29*** 21 

Average Age in Years 42.8 46.1** 43.5 

Median Age in Years 44 48 45 

Ethnicity/Race 

Non-Hispanic, white 66 81*** 69 

Non-Hispanc, black 22 9*** 19 

Non-Hispanic, other races 3 2 3 

Hispanic, any race 10 7** 9 

Educational Attainment 

Less than high school diploma / GED 10 11 11 

High school diploma / GED 43 50*** 45 

Some college / 2 year degree 32 28** 31 

Completed 4 year college 10 7*** 10 

Post-graduate education 4 4 4 

Current Marital Statusa 

Unmarried (single or cohabitating) 29 28 29 

Married 47 52* 48 

Separated, divorced, or widowed 24 20* 23 

Have Children under 18a 41 31*** 39 

Has a Disability 5 3** 4 

Total Number of Offers 2,883 830 3,713 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA data on recipients and decliners provided by Idaho, 

Mississippi, Texas, West Virginia, and one of four demonstration sites in Minnesota. 

Note: Sums may not total to 100 due to rounding. 

*/**/*** Difference is statistically significant at the .10/.05/.01 level. 

a

Based on data from Mississippi, Texas, and one site in Minnesota only. 
 35 

 III: Acceptance Rates and Characteristics of PRA Recipients 

Older participants in the focus groups were concerned about their attractiveness to 

potential employers and their ability to compete for jobs, even with strong skills and 

extensive work experience. It might be that this concern affects the acceptance decision for 

workers 55 years old or older—who the data show are less likely to accept—not necessarily 

as it relates to the bonus, but as it relates to reemployment more generally. Program staff 

who conducted PRA orientations and had witnessed people’s reactions to PRA offers also 

suggested that individuals who are older and approaching retirement age may be less likely to 

pursue the PRA because they may not intend to return to full-time employment. 

Finally, at almost every site, program staff believe that some portion of offerees receive 

a negative perception of the PRA, and so do not accept the offer; this tends to occur more 

often among older individuals. Nearly every staff person involved in the orientation process 

reported that individuals who are obviously skeptical of the PRA offer express their opinions 

either overtly or indirectly through questions, side-comments to other orientation attendees, 

or simply through body language. Some offerees make it clear that they do not trust the 

offer, saying, for example, “If it seems too good to be true, then it is.” Some level of 

discomfort with the offer becomes apparent in such questions as: “Is the PRA a form of 

public assistance, and what is the government getting out of this?” Similar reactions were 

heard from focus group participants who had declined the offer. 

3. Characteristics of Last Job 

In some cases, the industry or occupation in which offerees worked prior to PRA entry 

also seems to be a factor in the PRA acceptance decision. Unemployed workers who decline 

are more likely to have been employed in the manufacturing or mining and natural resources 

industries and to have had a construction or installation, maintenance and repair job; those 

who accept are more likely to have come from the professional and business services, 

education and health services, or leisure and hospitality industries (Table III.10). 

PRA decliners typically have held their previous jobs significantly longer than those who 

accept. On average, they have worked at their last job before becoming unemployed for 

10.5 years, compared to accepters who, on average, have worked for 6.5 years in a previous 

position (Table III.11). Since workers older than 55 also are more likely to decline, this 

difference in job tenure is somewhat to be expected. However, even if average job tenures 

are compared within age categories, decliners had longer tenures than accepters within every 

age group, and were significantly longer among workers between the ages of 45 and 54 (data 

not shown). Program staff perceptions again provide some insight. Several staff members 

felt that some long-term workers still may be in shock over the loss of their jobs when they 

are offered a PRA, and so are not in the right frame of mind to make a relatively quick 

decision about the best course of action in a job search. As a result, they simply decline the 

offer. 

 Decliners are slightly less likely to have worked 35 or more hours per week and to have 

earned $30 or more per hour than accepters in the jobs they held prior to PRA entry (Table 

III.11). 
36 

III: Acceptance Rates and Characteristics of PRA Recipients 

Table III.10. Industry and Occupation of Last Job Held Prior to PRA Entry, by PRA Offer 

Decision (Percentages, Unless Stated Otherwise) 

 Accepters Decliners All Offers 

Industry 

Natural Resources and Mining 3 5*** 3 

Construction 6 5 5 

Manufacturing 20 28*** 22 

Trade, Transportation, and Utilities 21 20 21 

Information 3 3 3 

Financial Activities 7 6 7 

Professional and Business Services 16 13** 15 

Education and Health Services 11 9* 11 

Leisure and Hospitality 5 3*** 5 

Other Services 5 5 5 

Public Administration 4 3 4 

Occupation 

Management 10 8 10 

Business and Financial Operations 5 4 5 

Computer and Mathematical 4 2* 3 

Architecture and Engineering 2 2 2 

Life, Physical, and Social Sciences 1 0 1 

Community and Social Services 1 0*** 1 

Legal 1 1 1 

Education, Training, and Library 2 2 2 

Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media 2 1 1 

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical 2 2 2 

Healthcare Support 3 3 3 

Protective Service 1 1 1 

Food Preparation and Serving Related 3 3 3 

Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance 2 2 2 

Personal Care and Service 2 2 2 

Sales and Related 9 10 9 

Office and Administrative Support 21 22 21 

Farming, Fishing, and Forestry 1 1 1 

Construction and Extraction 6 10*** 7 

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair 4 7*** 5 

Production 13 13 13 

Transportation and Material Moving 5 5 5 

Military Specific 1 0 1 

Total Number of Offers 2,883 830 3,713 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA data on recipients and decliners provided by Idaho, 

Mississippi, Texas, West Virginia, and one of four demonstration sites in Minnesota. 

Note: Sums may not total to 100 due to rounding. 

*/**/*** Difference is statistically significant at the .10/.05/.01 level.
 37 

 III: Acceptance Rates and Characteristics of PRA Recipients 

Table III.11. Characteristics of Last Job Held Prior to PRA Offer, by PRA Offer Decision 

(Percentages, Unless Stated Otherwise) 

 Accepters Decliners All Offers 

Hours Worked Per Week 

Less than 20 4 6 5 

20 to 34 6 7 6 

35 or more 90 87* 90 

Average 41 40 41 

Median 40 40 40 

Hourly Rate of Pay 

Less than $10 26 25 25 

$10 to Less than $20 52 55 53 

$20 to Less than $30 14 14 14 

$30 or More 8 6* 8 

Average $16 $17 $16 

Median $13 $14 $13 

Years on Job 

Average 6.5 10.5*** 7.4 

Median 2.9 6.6 3.5 

Total Number of Offers 2,883 830 3,713 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA data on recipients and decliners provided by 

Idaho, Mississippi, Texas, West Virginia, and one of four demonstration sites in 

Minnesota. 

Note: Sums may not total to 100 due to rounding. 

*/**/*** Difference is statistically significant at the .10/.05/.01 level.

C HAPTER IV 

U SES OF PRA F UNDS

he flexibility and breadth of potential uses of PRA funds present the recipients with a 

range of choices. They must weigh the relative value of a large lump-sum payment 

for early employment against purchasing services that can make them more 

marketable. In deciding how to use PRA funds, account holders may consider the likelihood 

of finding a job within 13 weeks, their level of interest in education and training programs, 

and their need for assistance in purchasing supportive services to bolster their reemployment 

efforts. Findings from the focus group study suggest that many recipients have a clear idea 

at the time of acceptance whether they will focus on earning the bonuses or use the account 

to support their job search efforts through the purchase of services. This chapter explores 

the particular uses of the account, and the extent to which recipients earn the bonus, 

purchase services (and what kinds), or do both. 

A. BONUS RECEIPT 

The lump-sum bonus payments are an attractive feature of the PRA, and likely pique 

the interest of many account holders. Focus group discussions with PRA recipients 

suggested that individuals who received the bonus generally were confident from the start 

that they would find a job quickly. For nearly all participants in the focus groups, however, 

the prospect of receiving the bonus made the PRA offer too good to refuse. While the 

flexibility of the PRA also can be attractive, its various uses were not always understood by 

focus group participants. The best uniformly understood information that PRA recipients 

seemed to take away from the initial PRA orientations was about the bonus—the two lump 

sum payments and the time period for getting a job. This section presents information on 

the rate of receipt of both of the bonuses, the potential factors that can contribute to 

differences in receipt rates across the states, the timing of employment entry among bonus 

earners, and average bonus amounts. 

1. Employment Entry (First) Bonus Receipt 

The receipt rate for the employment entry bonus (the first PRA bonus) among all PRA 

recipients in the original seven demonstration states is 31 percent (Figure IV.1). This rate 

almost exactly matches predictions from an analysis conducted prior to the PRA 

demonstration. This analysis, based on the findings from three reemployment bonus 

T
40 

IV: Use of PRA Funds 

52

29

25

37

8

25

31 31

0

20

40

60

Florida Idaho Minnesota Mississippi Montana Texas West

Virginia

All

State

Percent

demonstrations conducted in the late 1980s, and reemployment rates among UI recipients 

targeted for WPRS, estimated that 32 percent of individuals offered a $3,000 PRA would 

qualify for and receive at least the first installment of the bonus (Decker and Perez-Johnson 

2004). Another analysis of employment services records and UI claims in Georgia estimated 

that 40 percent of targeted UI claimants would qualify for the employment entry bonus by 

getting a job within 13 weeks (O’Leary and Eberts 2004).16 

Figure IV.1. Employment Entry (First) Bonus Receipt Rates Among All PRA Recipients 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

Five of the seven states have bonus receipt rates clustered around the average; however, 

there is a low of 8 percent in this rate in Montana and a high of 52 percent in Florida. Many 

factors could contribute to the differences in bonus receipt rates between the states—some 

exogenous to the PRA program and some specific to the structure and implementation of 

the PRA. Factors exogenous to the PRA are those that have to do with employment 

generally and with the employability of specific individuals. For example, individuals 

previously employed in certain occupations or specific industries may find employment more 

readily than others, and so earn the bonus. Similarly, an individual’s age, education, and 

 16 This figure is based on a simulation analysis of the top 30 percent of the WPRS distribution of UI 

claimant scores in Georgia who entered reemployment services between July 1, 2000 and September 30, 2001 

(the first five quarters of WIA program operation). 
 41 

 IV: Use of PRA Funds 

prior work experience could contribute to his or her ability to find work quickly and receive 

the bonus. Potential influences on the bonus receipt rate specific to the PRA include the 

attractiveness of the bonus amount, state policies that define the full range of uses of the 

PRA, and the implementation of the PRA in terms of the timing in offering the accounts 

and the methods of both offering and managing them. 

a. Characteristics of Bonus Earners and Nonbonus Earners 

The differences in the characteristics between bonus earners and nonbonus earners 

seem to reflect predictable patterns about who can get a job more quickly or may be 

motivated to do so. The data show that bonus earners on average are younger than 

nonbonus earners, and are more likely to have no more than a high school education (Table 

IV.1). Both of these are characteristics that likely contribute to certain workers finding a job 

in a shorter timeframe than those who are older and more highly educated. Bonus earners 

also are more likely to be male and less likely to be unmarried—possibly reflecting the 

characteristics of the primary earner in the family and the importance of a quick return to 

work. Interestingly, while individuals employed in the manufacturing and mining and natural 

resources industries are less likely to accept the PRA (discussed in Chapter 3), once they do 

accept they are more likely to earn the bonus than not (Table IV.2). Bonus earners also have 

lower average job tenures in the last job prior to PRA entry than do nonbonus earners. 

b. Attractiveness of the Bonus 

The attractiveness of the bonus is dependent on the amount that is possible to receive 

and, potentially, on how that amount measures up, relative to UI benefits. In general, the 

maximum PRA bonus is based on an account balance of $3,000, regardless of an individual’s 

WBA (except in the first year of implementation in Minnesota), so the dollar amount of the 

bonus can be the same, while its size relative to weekly UI benefits can vary across 

recipients. This could make the incentive offered by the PRA bonus greater for lowerincome individuals, who receive low weekly UI benefit amounts. Indeed, bonus earners 

have a lower average WBA than nonbonus earners, and typically have earned slightly less, on 

average, in the job they held prior to PRA entry (Tables IV.3 and IV.4). However, this also 

could reflect the relative ease of finding a lower-paying job more quickly than one with 

higher pay. 

The magnitude of the bonus incentive could be one of the driving forces behind 

Mississippi having the second highest bonus receipt rate, since earnings of recipients 

generally are lower than in the other demonstration states (discussed in Chapter III). The 

majority of participants in the two focus groups conducted in Mississippi in September 2007 

reported that the amount of the bonus was a compelling incentive to find any job quickly. 

These participants, who were less educated and had lower earnings on average than 

participants in focus groups in other states, stated that they took jobs with which they 

ordinarily would not have been satisfied, simply to earn the bonus. 
42 

IV: Use of PRA Funds 

Table IV.1. Characteristics of Recipients at PRA Entry, by Bonus Receipt (Percentages, 

Unless Stated Otherwise 

 Bonus Earners Non-Bonus Earners All Recipients

Gender 

Male 53 48** 46 

Female 47 52** 51 

Age 

Less than 25 years 6 6 6 

25 to 34 years 21 17** 18 

35 to 44 years 27 25 25 

45 to 54 years 31 33 32 

55 years and over 16 19** 18 

Average Age in Years 42.8 43.8** 43.5 

Median Age in Years 43 45 43 

Ethnicity/Race 

Non-Hispanic, white 69 68 68 

Non-Hispanic, black 16 15 15 

Non-Hispanic, other races 2 5*** 4 

Hispanic, any race 13 13 13 

Educational Attainment 

Less than high school diploma / GED 8 7 8 

High school diploma / GED 45 40** 41 

Some college / 2 year degree 28 32** 30 

Completed 4 year college 13 15 14 

Post-graduate education 6 6 6 

Current Marital Status 

Unmarried (single or cohabitating) 26 32** 30 

Married 52 50 50 

Separated, divorced, or widowed 23 19* 20 

Have Children under 18 42 40 41 

Has a Disability 3 2 3 

Total Number of Recipients 833 1,816 2,649 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. Based on accounts 

established by September 2006 in order to observe the full bonus qualification periods. 

Notes: Sums may not total to 100 due to rounding. 

 To test for differences across groups, two-tailed t-tests were conducted for all variables.

*/**/*** Difference is statistically significant at the .10/.05/.01 level.
 43 

 IV: Use of PRA Funds 

Table IV.2. Characteristics of Last Job Held Prior to PRA Entry, by Bonus Receipt 

(Percentages, Unless Stated Otherwise), Industry and Occupation 

Bonus 

Earners 

Non-Bonus 

Earners All Recipients

Industry 

Mining and Natural Resources 3 1*** 2 

Construction 4 4 4 

Manufacturing 19 16* 17 

Trade, Transportation, and Utilities 20 23 22 

Information 2 4** 3 

Financial Activities 8 10 9 

Professional Business Services 16 19 18 

Education and Health Services 14 13 13 

Leisure and Hospitality Services 5 4 4 

Other Services 5 4 5 

Public Administration 3 3 3 

Occupation 

Management 15 13 14 

Business and Financial Operations 5 6 6 

Computer and Mathematical 3 5** 4 

Architecture and Engineering 4 3 3 

Life, Physical, and Social Sciences 1 1 1 

Community and Social Services 2 1 2 

Legal 0 1 1 

Education, Training, and Library 2 3 3 

Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media 1 2 2 

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical 3 2 2 

Healthcare Support 3 4* 3 

Protective Service 2 1 1 

Food Preparation and Serving Related 3 2 2 

Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance 1 2 1 

Personal Care and Service 1 1 1 

Sales and Related 9 10 9 

Office and Administrative Support 19 22* 21 

Farming, Fishing, and Forestry 0 0 0 

Construction and Extraction 5 4 5 

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair 5 4 4 

Production 12 9* 10 

Transportation and Material Moving 5 4* 4 

Military Specific 1 1 1 

Years on Job 

Average 7.4 8.2** 8.0 

Median 3.8 4.8 4.2 

Total Number of Recipients 833 1,816 2,649 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. Based on accounts 

established by September 2006 in order to observe the full bonus qualification periods. 

Notes: Sums may not total to 100 due to rounding. 

 To test for differences across groups, two-tailed t-tests were conducted for all variables.

*/**/*** Difference is statistically significant at the .10/.05/.01 level.
44 

IV: Use of PRA Funds 

Table IV.3. Hours Worked and Rate of Pay of Last Job Held Prior to PRA Entry, by Bonus 

Receipt (Percentages, Unless Stated Otherwise) 

Bonus 

Earners 

Non-Bonus 

Earners All Recipients

Hours Worked Per Week 

Less than 20 1 4*** 3 

20 to 34 5 7 6 

35 or more 94 89*** 91 

Average 40.8 39.2*** 39.6 

Median 40 40 40 

Hourly Rate of Pay 

Less than $10 22 21 21 

$10 to Less than $20 53 53 53 

$20 to Less than $30 16 15 15 

$30 or More 9 11 11 

Average $16.71 $17.76* $17.43 

Median $14.00 $13.68 $13.88 

Total Number of Recipients 833 1,816 2,649 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. Based on accounts 

established by September 2006 in order to observe the full bonus qualification periods. 

Notes: Sums may not total to 100 due to rounding. 

 To test for differences across groups, two-tailed t-tests were conducted for all variables.

*/**/*** Difference is statistically significant at the .10/.05/.01 level.

Table IV.4. UI Receipt Among Recipients at the Time of PRA Offer, by Bonus Receipt 

(Percentages, Unless Stated Otherwise) 

 Bonus Earners Non-Bonus Earners All Recipients 

Number of Weeks of UI Eligibility at Time of 

Claima

 

Less than 12 1 1 1 

12 to 15 5 4 4 

16 to 19 12 17*** 15 

20 to 23 18 16 17 

24 and above 64 62 63 

Average number of weeks of eligibilitya 23.2 23.2 23.2 

Average weekly benefit amount $283 $293** $290 

Total Number of Recipients 833 1,816 2,649 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. Based on accounts 

established by September 2006 in order to observe the full bonus qualification period. 

Notes: Sums may not total to 100 due to rounding. 

 To test for differences across groups, two-tailed t-tests were conducted for all variables. 

a

UI Eligibility calculations based on data from all states except for MN. 
 45 

 IV: Use of PRA Funds 

c. PRA Policy, Implementation, and Bonus Receipt Rates 

It is also plausible that elements specific to the structure and implementation of PRA 

could contribute to differences in bonus receipt rates (and account use in general) across the 

states. First, states differ somewhat in their eligibility and orientation processes for the PRA, 

which influence the timing of when the PRA offer is made relative to the UI benefit period. 

Ultimately, the timing of the offer determines the number of weeks an account holder has to 

secure employment and earn the bonus. A reasonable expectation could be that recipients 

who receive the PRA offer earlier in the UI benefit period will be more likely to receive the 

bonus. This does not appear to be the case, however. The median bonus earner and 

nonbonus earner alike receive the PRA offer four weeks into their UI receipt.17 

Second, policy differences in the allowable uses of PRAs also might be a reason for 

variation in bonus receipt rates. Florida, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, and Texas allow a 

broader range in the purchase of services from the PRAs, and so provide avenues—beyond 

the bonus—for account use. In Mississippi and West Virginia, on the other hand, restrictive 

policies on service purchases may have the effect of focusing account holders strongly on 

bonus receipt as the main avenue for account use. As shown in Figure IV.1, bonus receipt 

rates in Mississippi and West Virginia are slightly higher than in the other states, except 

Florida. 

Finally, the method of offering and managing accounts may influence the extent to 

which PRA recipients receive the bonus, and could help to explain why Florida, with the 

highest rate of bonus receipt, does not fit neatly with its “policy partners.” Florida’s 52 

percent employment entry bonus receipt rate far surpasses that of any of the other states. 

However, recipients in Florida do not appear to be much different in terms of demographic 

or employment characteristics upon entry into the PRA than those in other states with 

similar PRA policies—specifically, Idaho, Minnesota, and Texas (presented in Chapter III). 

This suggests that there is something about PRA implementation in Florida that encourages 

higher levels of bonus receipt. 

The implementation study found that two of the four regions in Florida set 

requirements for PRA recipients to be in touch with program staff at least monthly. One of 

these regions, along with a third region in Florida heavily market intensive career counseling 

services and have the highest use of intensive services among all the demonstration sites; 32 

percent of PRA recipients who purchased intensive services in each of these regions went on 

to earn the bonus (data not shown). It is possible that this increased contact between staff 

and PRA recipients improves recipients’ knowledge of details regarding earning the bonus 

and/or provides services that assist with quick reemployment. 

 17 The data show that bonus earners receive the offer slightly (but significantly) later in the UI period, on 

average (see Appendix C); a result that is likely influenced by the high bonus receipt in Florida where PRA 

entry occurs later than in most states. 
46 

IV: Use of PRA Funds 

A quantifiable measure that may indirectly capture differences in implementation is the 

percentage of bonus receipt among the “potentially eligible” PRA recipients. Potentially 

eligible for the bonus is defined to include those PRA recipients who receive less than 13 

weeks of UI receipt, presumably as a result of reemployment. In Florida, four out of every 

five PRA recipients who are potentially eligible for the first bonus do receive it, contributing 

to the theory that PRA recipients in Florida are highly attuned to the PRA (Figure IV.2). 

Looking at receipt rates through this lens also can shed light on the very low bonus receipt 

rate of 8 percent in Montana. Only 14 percent of PRA recipients deemed potentially eligible 

for the bonus in Montana actually receive it. Implementation in Montana was disrupted 

(particularly during the period examined for this analysis) by significant changes in the state’s 

workforce investment system. At 39 percent, Idaho also has a low bonus receipt rate among 

those potentially eligible to receive it relative to the other states. This could be a result of the 

decline in the amount on which bonuses are based from $3,000 to $2,000 after the 8th week 

of UI receipt. PRA recipients in Idaho who do not gain employment by the 8th week may 

change their strategy in account use; rather than continuing a focus on the bonus they may 

choose to purchase services prior to employment and, therefore, still have the ability to 

access the full $3,000 available. 

Figure IV.2. Employment Entry (First) Bonus Receipt Rates Among PRA Recipients That 

Received Less Than 13 Weeks of UI Benefits (Those “Potentially Eligible” for 

the Bonus) 

Source: Calculations based on PRA and UI data from the seven demonstration states. 

80

39

61 61

14

68

74

64

0

20

40

60

80

100

Florida Idaho Minnesota Mississippi Montana Texas West

Virginia

All

State

Percent
 47 

 IV: Use of PRA Funds 

11.0

7.7

9.1

9.1

10.7

8.7

8.2

9.2

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Florida

Idaho

Minnesota

Mississippi

Montana

Texas

West Virginia

All

Average Number of Weeks of UI Receipt at Time of Employment 

2. Timing of Employment Entry Among Bonus Earners 

PRA recipients must gain employment by the end of the 13th week of UI receipt to 

earn the bonus. On average, employment entry (first) bonus earners gain employment in the 

9th week of UI receipt (Figure IV.3). Bonus earners in Montana and Florida come closest to 

the 13th week cutoff, gaining employment by the 11th week, on average. 

Administrators in Idaho, Minnesota, and Texas have structured the bonus in an effort 

to reward earlier employment entry at a higher monetary level than employment entry that 

occurs closer to the 13th week of UI receipt. Specifically, the total amount upon which the 

bonus is calculated decreases from the maximum $3,000 to the lower bonus cap of $2,000 if 

employment occurs after the 8th week of UI receipt in Idaho, and the 10th week in Texas. 

Minnesota has developed a sliding scale for the bonus that decreases with each passing week, 

so that UI benefits received, plus the total amount of the PRA will not exceed 80 percent of 

the individual’s maximum eligible UI benefit. This cap kicks in at different times based on 

an individual’s WBA; PRA recipients with higher WBAs do not hit the cap until closer to the 

13th week of UI receipt. 

Figure IV.3. Timing of Employment Entry Among First Bonus Earners 

Source: Calculations based on PRA and UI data from the seven demonstration states. 
48 

IV: Use of PRA Funds 

The timing of employment entry among bonus earners suggests that a policy strategy of 

higher early bonus awards may have some effect. Bonus earners in Idaho, Minnesota, and 

Texas gain employment at 8.6 weeks into their UI receipt, on average, compared to 9.4 

weeks for bonus earners in the other four states, a significant difference.18 However, the 

effect may be on who seeks the bonus and not just promoting a quicker return to work. It is 

possible that PRA recipients in these three states—that also have a broad range of allowable 

supportive services purchases—shift their focus away from the bonus and toward service 

spending if they do not qualify for the maximum bonus (based on the full $3,000) in the 

earlier weeks of UI receipt. 

3. Retention (Second) Bonus Receipt Rates 

About two out of every three PRA recipients who earn the first bonus also earn the 

second bonus, suggesting a substantial level of job retention among bonus earners (Figure 

IV.4). The receipt rate for the retention bonus among first bonus earners is the highest by 

far in West Virginia at 85 percent, representing a receipt rate of 26 percent among all PRA 

recipients in the state. In Florida, 75 percent of all first bonus earners also earn the second 

bonus, and the retention bonus receipt rate for all PRA recipients is just under 40 percent. 

Overall, just over one in every five PRA recipients across the demonstration states earns the 

retention bonus. 

The retention bonus receipt rates among first bonus earners in Idaho, Mississippi, and 

Montana, while close to or at 60 percent, are 5 to 25 percentage points lower than those of 

other states. Given the PRA policy similarities between Mississippi and West Virginia, in 

particular, which tend to focus recipients on the bonus, it might be expected that Mississippi 

would have a similarly high rate of first bonus earners who also earn the second bonus. The 

substantial difference in this measure between these states possibly could reflect less job 

stability among the Mississippi first bonus earners. Focus group participants in Mississippi 

reported that they took any job to qualify for the first bonus but, in some cases, found 

themselves discontented with those jobs and left them. 

4. Average Bonus Amounts 

PRA account holders also make decisions that determine the size of their bonuses 

(within established ceilings of $3,000 or less, depending on the state); any services purchased 

will draw down the total amount available for bonus payments. The maximum possible 

payment for the first PRA bonus is $1,800, and $1,200 for the second. The analyses 

conducted prior to the PRA demonstration suggested that PRA recipients would restrict 

spending on services early in their UI benefit period (i.e., within the first 13 compensable 

weeks) to maximize the potential amount of their reemployment bonuses (O’Leary and 

Eberts 2004; Perez-Johnson and Decker 2003). 

 18 Significant at the .01 level. However, bonus earners in Florida, who represent the largest portion of 

bonus earners, contribute to this difference. They gain employment in the 11th week of UI receipt, on average. 
 49 

 IV: Use of PRA Funds 

39

17 18

22

5

16

26

22

75

58

71

60 60

65

85

70

0

20

40

60

80

100

Florida Idaho Minnesota Mississippi Montana Texas West

Virginia

All

State

Percent

Among all PRA Receipients Among First Bonus Carners

Figure IV.4. Retention (Second) Bonus Receipt Rates 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

Indeed, the average bonus amounts received by PRA bonus earners support these 

predictions. Account holders who earn the bonuses spend $230 on services, on average, 

before employment. Specifically, the average $1,662 first bonus payment is based on an 

account balance of $2,770 at the time of employment entry (Table IV.5). Even the lowest 

average first bonus amount—seen in Idaho—is based on an account balance of $2,548, 

reflecting spending of approximately $450 on services before employment. As can be 

expected, the highest average bonus amounts are in Mississippi and West Virginia, states in 

which service spending is more restricted by policy than in the other demonstration states. 

Nonetheless, the vast majority of all bonus earners across the states receive the maximum 

bonus awards (for both the first and second bonus payments). 

Average amounts for the second bonus payment indicate that PRA recipients who 

remain employed for six months and earn this bonus restrict service spending slightly more 

than the full pool of individuals who earn the first bonus only. This is evident mainly in 

states with broad supportive service policies—Idaho, Minnesota, and Texas. In these states, 

the account balances on which second bonus payments are based are $45 to $136 more than 

for the first bonus (Table IV.5). For example, all recipients who earned the first bonus in 

Idaho spent, on average, $452 on services before they gained employment and earned the 

bonus; the account balance on which their bonus was based was $2,548. Among just the 

recipients who earned the second bonus, the average spent on services prior to employment 
50 

IV: Use of PRA Funds 

drops to $316, for an average account balance of $2,684. While these are not large 

differences, they are substantial in size relative to the low service spending levels of bonus 

earners generally. 

This approach to the bonus was affirmed by respondents in the focus group study. 

Bonus earners who participated in the focus groups were confident that they would find a 

job by the 13th week of UI receipt, and accepted the account with the intent of earning the 

bonus. The majority of the respondents in all three bonus groups felt little need to use the 

account to purchase supportive services or training, because they believed they would be 

reemployed quickly. They preferred to “save” the account so as to earn the full amount of 

the bonus in the lump sum payments. 

Table IV.5. Average Bonus Amounts and Associated PRA Balances at Employment 

Entry 

Employment Entry (First) Bonus 

Employment Retention 

(Second) Bonus 

State 

Average 

Amount 

Account 

Balance At 

Employment 

Entry 

Average 

Amount 

Account 

Balance At 

Employment 

Entry 

Difference in 

Account 

Balance for First 

and Second 

Bonuses 

Florida $1,713 $2,855 $1,130 $2,826 ($29) 

Idaho $1,529 $2,548 $1,073 $2,684 $136 

Minnesota $1,539 $2,565 $1,071 $2,677 $112 

Mississippi $1,795 $2,991 $1,200 $3,000 $9 

Montana $1,727 $2,879 $1,119 $2,798 ($81) 

Texas $1,602 $2,671 $1,086 $2,716 $45 

West Virginia $1,780 $2,966 $1,186 $2,965 ($1) 

Total $1,662 $2,770 $1,123 $2,809 $39 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

B. SERVICE PURCHASES

Account holders have broad discretion over which services to select. Before the PRA 

demonstration, a number of assumptions were made about the purchase of services with 

PRA funds, based on existing research. First, as mentioned previously, account holders were 

expected to limit PRA outlays for services within the first 13 weeks to “save” the money for 

the largest possible bonus payments. However, when account holders become disqualified 

for a bonus because of not finding a job within the 13-week compensable UI benefit period, 

they were expected to spend their PRA funds on supportive services or training (PerezJohnson and Decker 2003). Second, it was predicted that when PRAs are used for services 

within the first 13 weeks, these would include services currently not covered or available 

through other avenues within the One-Stop system, primarily supportive services, because 
 51 

 IV: Use of PRA Funds 

intensive and training services can be covered by other WIA-funded activities. Third, 

findings from the ITA experiment suggested that few PRA recipients would be likely to use 

funds for intensive career counseling available from the One-Stop Career Centers regardless 

of the time period (before or after the bonus qualification period), but recipients interested 

in training would be likely to pursue it (Perez-Johnson and Decker 2003). 

The data now available suggest that these predictions were very much on target. It is 

evident that recipients save funds to receive large bonuses (discussed in the previous 

section), that they spend substantial funds on supportive services, very little (if any) on 

intensive services, and often a slight but noticeable amount on training. 

1. Supportive Services 

PRA recipients in six of the initial seven demonstration states spend more on 

supportive services than on any other type of service (Figure IV.5). Spending on supportive 

services comprise 89 percent or more of all service spending in Florida and Minnesota, and 

68 to 81 percent in Idaho, Mississippi, Montana and Texas. In contrast to all of the other 

states, the purchase of supportive services is only a small portion (18 percent) of service 

spending in West Virginia. 

Figure IV.5. PRA Disbursements on Services, by Service Type 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. Based on average perrecipient service spending among account users. 

93%

68%

89%

72%

81% 80%

18%

82%

4%

32%

10%

28%

19% 20%

76%

17%

6%

3% 1% 1%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Florida Idaho Minnesota Mississippi Montana Texas West Virginia Total

Percentage of Total Service Spending

Supportive Services Training Intensive Services
52 

IV: Use of PRA Funds 

Across the states, the average account disbursement for the purchase of supportive 

services per transaction (i.e., one account withdrawal request) is $441 (Table IV.6). The 

smallest requests for supportive service purchases are in Florida, where they average $321. 

In Mississippi, these requests are the highest among the states, at $629 on average. Even 

while these amounts reflect one account disbursement, they likely include several smaller 

requests bundled together, such as payments for mileage, child care expenses, and clothing 

for interviews. Examples of supportive service purchases made by PRA recipients are 

shown in Table IV.7 and detailed in Appendix B. The number of transactions for 

supportive service purposes is more than 1,000 each in Florida, Idaho, and Minnesota, and 

just over 2,000 in Texas. In Florida, Idaho, Montana, and Texas the number of transactions 

relative to total PRA recipients amounts to nearly three supportive service transactions per 

PRA recipient (data not shown); in Minnesota there are about two transactions per PRA 

recipient. 

Table IV.6. Service Payments Per Transaction 

 Supportive Services Training Intensive Services Total 

State

No. of 

Transactions 

Average 

Amount 

 No. of 

Transactions 

Average 

Amount 

 No. of 

Transactions 

Average 

Amount 

 No. of 

Transactions 

Average 

Amount 

Florida 1,138 $321 28 $564 67 $194 1,233 $308 

Idaho 1,333 $429 170 $703 0 0 1,503 $731 

Minnesota 1,555 $580 142 $652 16 $534 1,713 $378 

Mississippi 38 $629 18 $1,252 0 0 56 $27 

Montana 458 $454 46 $762 0 0 504 $794 

Texas 2,020 $401 157 $1,224 4 $381 2,181 $453 

West 

Virginia 

18 $600 54 $1,381 4 $848 76 $59 

Total 6,560 $441 615 $898 91 $286 7,266 $287 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

Table IV.7. Examples of Supportive Service Purchases 

Vehicle repair 

Vehicle insurance payment 

Vehicle purchase or monthly loan payment 

Other transportation / mileage reimbursement 

Utilities / rent 

Mortgage payment / insurance 

Clothing for interviews 

Job uniform 

Technological supplies 

Other tools and supplies 

Child care 

Fees for job-related certification / licenses 

Health screenings or tests / other medical expenses 

Relocation or moving expenses 

Source: PRA data from the seven demonstration states; detail shown in Tables 8 and 9 in 

Appendix B. 
 53 

 IV: Use of PRA Funds 

The majority of PRA recipients in four states—Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, and 

Texas—use the PRA to purchase supportive services, while very few (3 to 4 percent) do so 

in Mississippi and West Virginia (Table IV.8). Just under half of the PRA recipients in 

Florida purchase supportive services with PRA funds. Across the demonstration states, the 

average per-recipient spending on supportive services among those recipients who show 

such spending is $681, and ranges from a low of $349 in Florida to $932 in Minnesota. Of 

the small number of PRA recipients who make supportive service purchases in West 

Virginia and Mississippi, such spending amounts, on average, to $600 and $696, respectively. 

Table IV.8. Service Payments Per PRA Service Purchaser 

 Supportive Services Training Intensive Services Total 

State 

Percent of 

Recipients 

Average 

Amount 

 Percent of 

Recipients 

Average 

Amount 

 Percent of 

Recipients 

Average 

Amount 

 Percent of 

Recipients 

Average 

Amount 

Florida 47% $349 6% $585 16% $188 59% $339 

Idaho 64% $643 19% $892 0% 0 69% $704 

Minnesota 52% $932 11% $731 2% $553 55% $888 

Mississippi 3% $696 2% $1,279 0% 0 5% $912 

Montana 70% $700 17% $903 0% 0 73% $786 

Texas 57% $591 19% $1,275 <1% $487 63% $765 

West Virginia 4% $600 11% $1,381 1% $848 13% $1,168 

Total 38% $681 11% $1,031 2% $289 43% $747 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

Focus group respondents who purchased supportive services did not have a particular 

use for the account in mind from the start, and rarely used it to purchase just one item or 

type of service (outside of computer purchases). Rather, they used the flexibility of the 

account to make a variety of purchases to help them find a job (e.g., computer access), carry 

out their job search activities (e.g., clothing for interviews and gas), and improve their skills 

to increase their marketability (e.g., computer classes, licenses, certifications). 

2. Training 

Disbursements from PRAs for training amounts to 17 percent of all service spending 

overall (Figure IV.5). Training is the main service purchased by PRA recipients in West 

Virginia; training disbursements comprise 80 percent of all service spending in the state. 

The purchase of training is one-third of service spending in Idaho and Mississippi, and onefifth in Texas. PRA recipients in Minnesota and Montana have small but noticeable 

amounts of disbursements to purchase training (10 and 15 percent, respectively), while 

training comprises 4 percent of all service spending in Florida. 

As can be expected, the average amount of a single training purchase (i.e. per 

transaction) is higher in every state than that of a supportive service purchase and is $898, on 

average, across the states (Table IV.6). Average training disbursements range from $564 in 
54 

IV: Use of PRA Funds 

Florida to $1,381 in West Virginia. Job and occupational skills training is the primary 

purpose of PRA disbursements for training (details presented in Table 8 in Appendix B). 

PRA disbursements for training also pay for classes in adult basic education, English as a 

Second Language, and toward a general equivalency degree. A few training disbursements 

also were used to develop a business plan for self-employment and to purchase on-line or 

distance learning classes.19 

Among all PRA recipients, 11 percent use the account to purchase training (Table IV.8). 

More than 10 percent of recipients in every state but Florida and Mississippi pursue training 

with PRA funds. In these states, only 6 and 2 percent of recipients, respectively, purchase 

training. The average spending on training among recipients who purchase training is more 

than $1,000 each in Mississippi, Texas, and West Virginia, and more than $500 but less than 

$1,000 in the other states. 

3. Intensive Services 

PRA recipients in Idaho, Mississippi, and Montana do not spend any funds to purchase 

intensive services, and only 2 percent or less purchase these services in Minnesota, Texas, 

and West Virginia (Table IV.8). As a result, disbursements for intensive services comprise 

just 1 percent of all service spending across the states (Figure IV.5). Only in Florida is there 

a noticeable percentage of PRA recipients (16 percent) who use their accounts to purchase 

intensive services. The implementation study found that two participating sites in Florida 

have developed intensive services package and heavily market them to potential account 

holders during orientation and individual follow-up meetings. The packages offer assistance 

with resume development, career counseling, development of an Individual Employment 

Plan, and skills training covering such topics as life skills, interviewing skills, professional 

conduct, and business ethics. While the full packages are priced at $216 to $250, depending 

on the site, PRA recipients can select the elements of interest to them. This appears to have 

occurred, given that the average per-recipient disbursement among those who purchase 

intensive services in Florida is the slightly lower amount of $188 (Table IV.8). 

Average amounts spent by recipients who purchase intensive services in the other states 

where such spending occurs are higher than that seen in Florida, ranging from $487 in Texas 

to $848 in West Virginia. PRA funds are used by recipients in these states to pay for 

specialized assessments for occupational skills or aptitude, to purchase resume development 

assistance and individual career counseling, and to attend specialized workshops (details 

shown in Appendix B). 

Intensive services offered within the One-Stop Career Centers were rarely discussed in 

the focus groups conducted with PRA recipients, but this in itself suggests that it could 

simply be a lack of familiarity with these services that leads to nonuse, rather than a 

 19 Training purchases are not restricted to providers on the Eligible Training Provider list. However, the 

percentage of training purchased from ETPs is not known because such detail on providers was not available 

from the demonstration sites. 
 55 

 IV: Use of PRA Funds 

conscious decision not to pursue them. A few focus group participants understood that they 

were “giving up” free access to some career services and job preparation classes by selecting 

the PRA, but it was not a factor that weighed heavily with them. None of the participants 

reported using their PRA to purchase individualized, intensive assistance for their job 

searches from the One-Stop Career Centers or any other providers. Focus group 

participants were predominantly long-term, consistent workers, and so may have had limited 

exposure to the types of services that the WIA program could provide. This may have 

confined their ability to weigh the value of free access to those services in contrast to the 

PRA, and limited their interest in paying for them with PRA funds. 

The patterns of intensive service purchase in Florida suggest that PRA recipients who 

are made more aware of the types of career counseling and one-on-one job search assistance 

that are available will pursue them, at least to some extent. Both of the Florida sites that 

offer the intensive services packages have seen a substantial level of purchase of these 

services among all PRA recipients—33 percent at one site, and 48 percent at the other (data 

not shown). As previously discussed, Florida set up a "contact" schedule for PRA recipients 

and this continued contact could have reinforced the availability of intensive services. 

C. THE MIX OF BONUS AND SERVICE USES

The state-to-state differences in the balance among the types of PRA uses are revealing 

of state policy differences. To examine these differences, this analysis is restricted to those 

recipients who use the account (excluding those who never make any disbursements at all). 

First, the discussion focuses on how the average “user” disburses PRA funds between bonus 

payments and service purchases. The discussion then turns to the degree of distinctness and 

overlap in the types of uses—bonus receipt or service purchases—among PRA users. 

1. Average PRA Disbursements Among Account Users 

The average PRA “user” spends slightly more on services (55 percent of disbursements) 

than he or she receives in bonuses (45 percent of disbursements), but this picture of account 

use varies considerably, depending on the state (Table IV.9). PRA use in Mississippi is 

focused almost exclusively on the bonus. In West Virginia, at least $4 out of every $5 

disbursed from PRAs is in bonus payments and in Florida, bonus payments make up nearly 

$3 out of every $5 in disbursements. As discussed earlier, Mississippi and West Virginia 

have policies that restrict PRA spending on services, such that recipients are focused on the 

bonus and little else. The majority of PRA use is directed toward bonus payments in 

Florida, which is in line with the state’s high bonus receipt rate. This again differentiates 

Florida from the other states with which it shares a policy to provide broad allowances in the 

purchase of supportive services. 

In the other four states, service purchases comprise the larger share of average 

disbursements among PRA users; 63 percent in Idaho, 67 percent in Minnesota, 71 percent 

in Texas, and 87 percent in Montana. These states allow PRA recipients to purchase a broad 

range of supportive services, and recipients have responded by putting the PRA to use in 

purchasing these services at a high rate. 
56 

IV: Use of PRA Funds 

Table IV.9. Composition of Average PRA Disbursements Per User (as percentages of 

total expenditures) 

States With Restricted 

Supportive Service 

Purchases 

States With Broad Allowable 

Supportive Service Purchases 

Type of 

Disbursement Mississippi 

West 

Virginia Florida Idaho Minnesota Montana Texas 

All 

States 

First Bonus 68 54 39 26 22 9 20 30 

Second Bonus 26 30 19 11 11 4 9 14 

Total Bonuses 94 83 59 37 33 13 29 45 

Intensive 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 

Training 2 13 2 20 6 17 14 9 

Supportive 4 3 38 43 60 70 57 46 

Total Services 6 17 41 63 67 87 71 55 

Total 

Expenditures 

100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

Note: Sums may not total 100 due to rounding.

2. Distinct Users and Overlaps in Types of Use 

The average bonus payments discussed earlier indicate that there is little overlap 

between bonus earners and service purchasers. This is seen again when looking at the 

percentages of PRA users who purchase services only, earn the bonus only, or do both. 

Overall, just over one in every ten recipients that use the PRA make service purchases and

earn the bonus (Figure IV.6). 

Very few PRA users (less than 5 percent) in Mississippi, Montana, and West Virginia 

mix uses of the account. As can be expected, the majority of users in Mississippi and West 

Virginia are bonus earners only. In Montana, it is the opposite. The substantial majority—

88 percent—of all PRA users make service purchases only. The composition of users 

among service purchasers, bonus earners, and mixed users is similar in Idaho, Minnesota, 

and Texas, with each state having either 12 or 13 percent of all users mixing the account for 

bonus and service purposes. 

The most mixed use occurs in Florida, where one out of every five PRA users earns a 

bonus and also purchases services. PRA users in Florida also are the most evenly spread 

between the distinct categories of bonus earners or service purchasers, with 36 and 44 

percent in each category, respectively. 
 57 

 IV: Use of PRA Funds 

44

60 65

8

88

68

28

56

36

27 21

88

9

19

69

31

21

13 13

4

12

4

13

2

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Florida Idaho Minnesota Mississippi Montana Texas West

Virginia

All

State

Percentage of PRA "Users"

Service Purchase Only Bonus Earner Only Service and Bonus Mixed

Figure IV.6. Types of PRA Users (Excludes PRA Recipients With No Account 

Disbursements) 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

Note: Sums may not total to 100 due to rounding. 

C HAPTER V 

P ATTERNS IN PRA U S E

he previous chapter detailed the types of uses for which PRA recipients direct funds 

from their accounts. This chapter delves into the patterns in account use by 

describing how recipients use the PRA for different purposes and in different 

timeframes. Analyses conducted prior to the start of the PRA demonstration predicted that 

patterns in PRA use during the qualification period for the first bonus (the first 13 weeks of 

UI receipt) could differ from later patterns, depending on whether or not a bonus is earned. 

Specifically, these analyses suggested that PRA recipients would focus primarily on the 

bonus and restrict service purchases until the outcome of their initial job search and ability 

to earn the bonus was known. 

The analysis of PRA use in this chapter also describes the timing and extent of use of 

the accounts to answer such questions as: How much of the $3,000 do recipients typically 

use? What proportion of recipients never makes use of the account at all? What proportion 

uses the account in full? When and why do PRAs close? 

A. THE TYPES OF PRA USERS

Findings from the implementation study completed about one year into the PRA 

demonstration suggested that patterns of PRA use indicate a decision on the part of 

recipients either to earn the bonus, purchase supportive services, or simply not use the 

account. As seen at that time, and confirmed with the data now available, PRA recipients 

have made limited use of the funds to purchase training, and have hardly purchased intensive 

services at all. The focus group study was conducted with the intent of better understanding 

the decisions that PRA recipients make about how to use the funds, and when. 

Among the key findings of the focus group study were that some individuals made 

distinct decisions about how to use the account at the time they accepted it, and that others 

simply were misinformed, or forgot about the range of uses available. Specifically, bonus 

earners were confident at the time they accepted the PRA that they would find a job quickly 

and wanted to earn the maximum bonus possible. Focus group respondents who purchased 

services typically were those who did not feel confident about finding another job quickly. 

Rather than “saving” their account for a lump sum payment that they might not receive, they 

put the account to use in supporting their job searches. For the majority of the 28 

T
60 

V: Patterns in PRA Use 

supportive service focus group respondents, the PRA held appeal because of the range of 

possible uses to support a job search, which they expected would take some time. For 

example, in Minnesota, some respondents talked about the decline in manufacturing jobs 

and others recognized that their industry fluctuated throughout the year, so that when they 

lost their jobs, it was during a slow period when they were unlikely to find another one 

quickly. In Idaho, the supportive service group was composed of highly educated 

individuals who knew their job searches were likely to continue beyond 13 weeks. These 

respondents viewed the PRA favorably because it could help to support their job searches 

and supportive service needs while they sought employment in their field or at their 

professional level. In many instances, they had no intention of earning the bonus, and 

immediately began using their accounts to support their job search. 

These findings from the implementation and focus group studies are used to develop a 

framework for examining the patterns in PRA use by different types of users, and in 

different time periods. PRA recipients are divided into four distinct groups based on PRA 

use in the bonus qualification period (the first 13 weeks after the UI claim) in order to explore the 

specific strategies they may pursue in using their accounts for reemployment. The groups 

are: 

1. Bonus-Earners: those who received a first bonus of at least $1,62020

2. Supportive Service-Focused Users: those who spent $800 or more 

specifically on supportive services21 

3. Other Users: those whose bonus amounts or supportive services spending did 

not place them in the bonus-earner or supportive service-focused categories 

and those whose spending was limited to training and/or intensive services 

4. Initial Nonusers: those with no disbursements from the PRA in this initial 

period, but who did spend after their 13th week of UI receipt 

The chapter also will explore a fifth group of PRA recipients: the complete nonusers

who never make any disbursements from the account. However, for the purpose of first 

examining patterns in PRA use, complete nonusers are excluded from this analysis and 

discussion. 

 20 The bonus limit was set to capture individuals who specifically saved their account for the bonus and 

felt that they did not need to spend funds on services to help them get a job. The limit was based on the 

average first bonus amount across the states ($1,660) and the fact that 75 percent of bonus earners receive the 

maximum first bonus. 

21 The supportive services purchase limit was set to provide at least a $500 difference in spending between 

that allowed for bonus-earners and supportive service-focused users, while recognizing that some PRA 

recipients have only a few weeks in which to make purchases from the time of PRA entry to the end of the 

13th week of their UI receipt. 
 61 

 V: Patterns in PRA Use 

Overall, the highest proportion of PRA users is bonus-earners, but this group still 

comprises just 36 percent of all users (Table V.1). The next largest group is that of “other 

users,” within which just over one in every four PRA users falls. The relative size of the 

supportive service-focused user and the initial nonuser groups is the same, at 19 percent 

across all the states, suggesting a split among PRA recipients who choose to start spending 

on supportive services immediately and those who choose to try to earn the bonus before 

making any service purchases. 

As expected, the composition of user groups varies a great deal between the states. 

Bonus-earners comprise the majority of all PRA users in Mississippi and West Virginia, and 

the largest portion of recipients in Florida; this could be expected, given what is known 

about these states already. (West Virginia and Mississippi have policies of restrictive 

supportive services purchases, while Florida shows the highest bonus receipt rate.) There is 

very limited use of the PRA outside of the bonus in Mississippi, limited but noticeable use in 

West Virginia, and a good deal of supportive service-focused and other use in Florida. 

Table V.1. Types of PRA Users, by Statea

State Bonus-Earners 

Supportive 

Service-Focused Other User Initial Nonuser 

States with the Highest Percentage of Bonus-Earners

Mississippi 90% 1% 4% 5% 

West Virginia 71% 1% 20% 8% 

Florida 49% 22% 22% 7% 

States with the Highest Percentage of Other Users

Idaho 24% 17% 44% 16% 

Montana 9% 9% 56% 26% 

Texas 22% 22% 33% 24% 

States with the Highest Percentage of Initial Nonusers

Minnesota 24% 23% 21% 32% 

All States 36% 19% 27% 19% 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

a

Restricted to PRA accounts with entry dates prior to July 1, 2006 so that the full cycle of use 

could be observed. 

The supportive service-focused group does not comprise the largest share of users in 

any of the seven demonstration states, and does not exceed 23 percent of all PRA users in 

any one state. Rather, the largest portion of users falls into the “other user” group in Idaho, 

Montana, and Texas, and into the initial nonuser group in Minnesota. 
62 

V: Patterns in PRA Use 

B. PATTERNS IN PRA USE BY TIME PERIOD

Despite the range of uses of the PRA overall, the bonus payments tied to reemployment 

by the end of the 13th week of UI receipt were expected to influence the initial uses of the 

account. Specifically, the assumption has been that most recipients will restrict initial 

spending on services to be able to earn the maximum amount of the bonuses. The data 

presented in the previous chapter reinforce that PRA recipients who earn the bonus do tend 

to “save” their account, and that there is little overlap among bonus earners and service 

purchasers. What is yet to be explored is the difference in strategies employed in the initial 

weeks of account availability, which may or may not be dependent on bonus receipt. 

Specifically, this section explores (1) whether service purchasers take an approach to saving 

the PRA similar to that of bonus earners, or whether they begin purchasing services even 

before they are able to earn the bonus; and (2) whether there are nonusers in the early PRA 

period who become users after the bonus qualification period passes, suggesting that they 

attempted to earn the full bonus. 

1. PRA Use During the Bonus Qualification Period 

The expenditure patterns of the different user groups indicate that supportive servicefocused PRA recipients not only begin spending from the account in the bonus qualification 

period (the first 13 weeks of UI receipt), but also that they do most of their account 

spending during this period. By the end of this initial period, supportive service-focused 

users have spent about 69 percent of the $3,000 PRA, for a total of $2,077, on average 

(Figure V.1). Bonus-earners, on the other hand, use only 60 percent of their accounts by the 

end of this period, the equivalent of the account formula for the first bonus. PRA recipients 

in the “other users” group spend just under $900 on average in this period, using an average 

of 29 percent of the available funds. 

For purposes of consistency in comparing all four of the user groups across the time 

periods, initial nonusers are included as zeros in the “all PRA user” amounts for this time 

period. Taken together, PRA users disburse 42 percent of the $3,000, or $1,269 per user on 

average, by the time they reach the end of the bonus qualification period. 

As expected, the bonus-earner group shows extremely little service spending in this 

initial period that is, substantially less than the $300 “allowed” by its definition (Table V.2). 

The average expenditure per bonus-earner further confirms that most spend very little, so as 

to earn the full amount of the bonus. Specifically, this group earns on average a $1,789 

bonus, just $11 shy of the $1,800 maximum. 

Supportive service-focused PRA recipients spend a total of $2,077 from their PRA by 

the end of the bonus qualification period and, of course, nearly all of this spending is on 

supportive services (Table V.2). These users have a small average expenditure amount per 

recipient on bonuses ($113), because some individuals who purchase a substantial amount of 

supportive services gain employment in this period and earn a small bonus. Average perrecipient expenditures for this group reflect little spending on intensive or training services. 
 63 

 V: Patterns in PRA Use 

60

69

30

42

32 30

22

26

75

36

26

0

20

40

60

80

100

BonusFocused UsersSupportiveService

Focused Users

Other Users Initial

Nonusers

All PRA Users All PRA

Recipients

Percent

Bonus Qualification Period

13+ Weeks After UI Claim

Figure V.1. Average Disbursements as a Percent of the Total $3,000 PRA, by PRA User 

Type and Time Period 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

Recipients who fall into the “other users” category spend only limited amounts on 

services, but training costs comprise 45 percent, on average, of their total account spending. 

The small average per-recipient reemployment bonus of $281 suggests that some of these 

users spend substantial amounts on training and then earn the bonus. It appears that more 

service purchasers combine spending on training with bonus receipt, than spending on 

supportive services with bonus receipt because of the slightly higher per-recipient bonus 

amount in this “other user” group compared to that of the supportive service-focused users 

($113). 

Overall, the reemployment entry bonus is the largest share of the disbursements seen 

among PRA users in the initial 13 weeks of UI receipt. Specifically, the average per-PRA 

user bonus amount of $736 is 58 percent of the total $1,269 disbursed in this early period. 

Supportive services are the next largest group, with an average amount of $403. Less than 

$1 in every $10 spent by PRA users in this period goes toward training. 
Table V.2. Average Per-User Disbursements in the Bonus Qualification Period, by Type of PRA User 

 Bonus-Earners 

Supportive ServiceFocused Other Users Initial Nonusers 

Average 

Amount 

Percent 

of Total 

Average 

Amount

Percent 

of Total 

Average 

Amount 

Percent 

of Total 

Average 

Amount 

A

A

Reemployment Bonus (1st Bonus) 

$1,789 99% $113 5% $281 32% $0 

Intensive Services $4 0% $11 1% $34 4% $0 Training $1 1% $62 3% $397 45% $0 Supportive Services $11 1% $1,892 91% $173 20% $0 Total Services Received $16 1% $1,965 95% $604 68% $0 Total Average Expenditure $1,805 100% $2,077 100% $885 100% $0 $1Sample Size 603 315 447 320 1Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. Note: Sums may not total to 100 due to rounding. 
 65 

 V: Patterns in PRA Use 

56

51 50

39 38 37

15

42

23

28

31

40

42

30 30

36

0

20

40

60

Mississippi West Virginia Florida Texas Minnesota Idaho Montana All States

Percent

Bonus Qualification Period

13+ Weeks After UI Claim

Patterns of Use in the States. The states with the highest bonus receipt rates—

Florida, Mississippi, and West Virginia—also have the highest level of disbursements by 

PRA users in the bonus qualification period, relative to the full $3,000. In these states, PRA 

users disburse between 50 and 56 percent of their funds in this early period (Figure V.2). In 

Mississippi and West Virginia, disbursements are focused almost completely on bonus 

receipt. There is more of an even mix between bonus and service disbursements in Florida, 

although bonus disbursements still comprise the largest share. The level of disbursements 

among PRA users in Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, and Texas is lower than that of the 

“bonus-earner” states in this period. These states each have smaller portions of high bonusearners, as well as substantial portions of “other users,” who have a relatively low level of 

account use, and initial nonusers, with no use at all during this period. 

Figure V.2. Average Disbursements by PRA Users as a Percent of the Total $3,000 PRA, 

by State and Time Period 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

2. PRA Use After the Bonus Qualification Period Passes 

Whether or not the bonus is earned, after the 13th week of UI receipt PRA recipients 

may continue with the same strategy of PRA use as before or change their course of account 

use. Disbursements across all types of initial users are lower in the period after the bonus 
66 

V: Patterns in PRA Use 

qualification passes than in the previous 13 weeks (Figure V.1). Bonus- and supportive 

service-focused users disburse the majority of their PRA funds in the first period, but 

disburse close to the full amounts that remain in this later period. Other users spend 

approximately one-quarter of the $3,000 on average after the bonus qualification period 

passes. The group that exhibits the greatest break in course is the nonuser group, those 

recipients who did not use the PRA account during the early period. Some become service 

purchasers after the 13th week of UI receipt, suggesting that this portion of recipients are 

saving their PRA funds to earn the maximum bonuses. These initial nonusers who make 

later service purchases spend 75 percent of their PRA funds in this later period. With the 

initial nonuser group becoming users in this period, the average amount of disbursements 

relative to the full PRA among all users—at 36 percent—is not too far behind that seen in 

the initial period. 

Bonus recipients have little choice but to save their PRA funds for the second bonus 

because, in accordance with federal policy, PRA funds are frozen until such time as they 

qualify for the second bonus. However, if recipients of the first bonus do not qualify for the 

second bonus due to lack of job retention, they can access PRA funds to support another 

job search if they did not lose the job through any fault of their own. The average 

disbursement per bonus-earner in this later period is $863, less than the maximum $1,200 

that would coincide with close to the full first bonuses earned by this group; this reflects the 

fact that not all first bonus earners receive the second bonus (Table V.3). Some first bonus 

earners do show service spending in this period, presumably after a job loss; however, this 

spending does not amount to much, at an average of $26 per bonus-earner. 

Supportive service-focused users continue the trend of using the PRA to purchase 

supportive services in this later period, but do so to a lesser extent because they already have 

spent most of their funds. Other users shift their service spending from an earlier 

concentration on training to the purchase of supportive services in this later period. During 

this period, the other users and the supportive service-focused users have similar levels of 

supportive services purchases, at $570 and $596, respectively. 

The initial nonusers now clearly identify themselves as individuals who were interested 

in earning the bonus and so did not make any purchases during the bonus qualification 

period. Having missed the opportunity for the lump-sum payments, these PRA recipients 

typically now choose to use the account to purchase services, and they do so at a substantial 

level. The average initial nonuser spends $2,238 after the bonus qualification period passes. 

Nearly all of this spending is focused on the purchase of supportive services ($1,875), but 

with a noticeable amount ($361) directed toward training costs. 

Patterns of Use in the States. PRA disbursements are lower in this later period in 

four states and higher in three (Figure V.2). In West Virginia and Mississippi, disbursements 

among users again are focused almost exclusively on bonuses, as the first bonus earners earn 

the second bonus in this period. But, there is limited use of accounts beyond the bonus 
Table V.3. Average Per-User Disbursements After the Bonus Qualification Period, by Type of PRA User 

Bonus-Earner 

Supportive ServiceFocused Other Users Initial Nonusers 

 Average 

Amount 

Percent 

of Total 

Average 

Amount 

Percent 

of Total 

Average 

Amount 

Percent 

of Total 

Average 

Amount 

Percent 

of Total 

Retention Bonus (2nd Bonus) $863 97% $37 6% $123 16% $0 0% Intensive Services $0 0% $0 0% $0 0% $1 0% Training $0 0% $18 3% $78 10% $361 16% Supportive Services $26 3% $596 92% $570 74% $1,875 84% Total Services Received $26 3% $614 94% $648 84% $2,238 100% Total Average Expenditure $889 100% $651 100% $771 100% $2,238 100% Sample Size 603 315 447 320 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. Note: Sums may not total to 100 due to rounding. 
68 

V: Patterns in PRA Use 

90 91

55

75 78

0

20

40

60

80

100

Bonus-Focused

Users

Supportive

Service-Focused

Users

Other Users Initial Nonusers All PRA Users

Percent

payments in these states resulting in average disbursements of 23 to 28 percent. In Florida, 

the level of spending also is lower, but the spending that does occur is split nearly evenly 

between bonus receipt and service spending. Because Idaho has a sizeable portion of other 

users whose spending drops slightly in this later period, Idaho is the fourth state with lower 

disbursements. 

Initial nonusers now make disbursements in all states but West Virginia and Mississippi. 

This group likely explains the higher rate of spending seen in this period among users in 

Minnesota, Montana, and Texas. 

3. Patterns in Use Over the Full Course of the PRA 

Over the full course of the PRA, bonus- and supportive service-focused users make use 

of almost all of their accounts, disbursing 90 and 91 percent of the $3,000, respectively 

(Figure V.3). Initial nonusers disburse an average of 75 percent of their accounts. Other 

users have the lowest level of disbursements overall, at 55 percent. On average, PRA 

“users” (not including those recipients who never use the account at all) disburse 78 percent 

of the full $3,000 by the time their accounts close. 

Figure V.3. Average Disbursements Over the Full Course of the PRA as a Percent of the 

Total $3,000, by PRA User Type 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 
 69 

 V: Patterns in PRA Use 

Different users start making service purchases from the account at different times. The 

timing of bonus disbursements is prescribed by the bonus eligibility requirements, but 

service purchases can happen at any time. Table V.4 presents the timing of the first service 

purchases by different users (excluding bonus earners and complete nonusers). Consistent 

with the findings in the prior sections, supportive service-focused users and other users start 

making service purchases early, within about one month of receiving the PRA. Initial 

nonusers delay service purchases until about four months after PRA receipt 

Table V.4. Time from PRA Receipt to First Service Disbursement 

Supportive ServiceFocused User Other User Initial Nonuser 

Time to First Service 

Disbursement 

 

Average (in months) 0.8 1.0 4.6 

Median (in months) 0.7 0.7 4.1 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

The patterns and level of use over the course of the account are summarized as follows 

and presented in Table V.5: 

1. Bonus-Earners. These users disburse $2,694 on average, receiving nearly all 

of this money through bonus receipt. They typically earn the full amount of 

the first bonus, but not all of them earn the second bonus. Very few who do 

not qualify for the second bonus use the account to purchase services to 

support another job search. 

2. Supportive Service-Focused Users. These users also come close to using the 

PRA in full, with total disbursements of $2,728, on average. They start 

spending early in the life of the account, and use most of the funds to purchase 

supportive services by the end of the bonus qualification period. They spend 

very little on other services (training or intensive). 

3. Other Users. These users have the lowest PRA disbursements overall, totaling 

only $1,656 over the course of the account. Their initial disbursements are 

focused on training, but then shift to supportive services purchases after the 

bonus qualification period ends. Over the course of the account, the largest 

share of their disbursements goes to purchase supportive services; these total 

$743, comprising 45 percent of their disbursements. 

4. Initial Nonusers. These recipients first save the account, presumably to earn 

the maximum bonus. Once they do not earn the bonus, they make purchases 

primarily of supportive services and some training. The average initial nonuser 

spends $2,238 from their PRA. 
Table V.5. Average Per-User Disbursements Over the Full Course of the PRA, by Type of PRA User 

Bonus-Earner 

Supportive ServiceFocused Other Users Initial Nonusers 

Average 

Amount 

Percent of 

Total 

Average 

Amount 

Percent of 

Total 

Average 

Amount 

Percent of 

Total 

Average 

Amount 

Percent 

Total 

Reemployment Bonus (1st Bonus) 

$1,789 66% $113 4% $281 17% $0 0% 

Retention Bonus (2nd Bonus) $863 32% $37 1% $123 7% $0 0% Total Bonuses Received $2,652 98% $150 6% $403 24% $0 0% Intensive Services $4 0% $11 0% $34 2% $1 0% Training $1 0% $80 3% $475 29% $361 16% Supportive Services $37 1% $2,487 91% $743 45% $1,875 84% Total Services Received $42 2% $2,578 95% $1,252 76% $2,238 100% Total Average Expenditure $2,694 100% $2,728 100% $1,656 $2,238 Total as Percent of $3,000 90% 91% 55% 75% Sample Size 603 315 447 320 Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. Note: Sums may not total to 100 due to rounding. 
 71 

 V: Patterns in PRA Use 

79% 79%

45%

79% 80%

67%

81%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Florida Idaho Minnesota Mississippi Montana Texas West

Virginia

Percent

Bonus Receipt Service Purchase

Other notable patterns about service purchases are that the purchase of training occurs 

nearly exclusively among “other users” during the bonus qualification period, and then 

among initial nonusers in the later period. Also, the limited purchase of intensive services 

occurs only in the bonus qualification period; there is virtually no spending to purchase 

intensive services in the later period. 

Patterns of Use in the States. By the end of the account cycle, PRA users in five of 

the seven states have disbursed about 80 percent of the PRA, approximately $2,400 (Figure 

V.4). Only in Montana and Idaho do PRA users have lower disbursements, amounting to 43 

and 66 percent use, respectively, of their accounts. These states have the highest 

proportions of “other users,” whose spending overall is lower than that of the other three 

user groups. 

Figure V.4. Average Disbursements of PRA Users Over the Full Course of the PRA as a 

Percent of the Total $3,000, by State 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 
72 

V: Patterns in PRA Use 

C. EXTENT OF PRA USE 

Before PRA implementation, estimates of the extent of PRA use per participant ranged 

from $1,452 to $2,519 (O’Leary and Eberts 2004; Decker and Perez-Johnson 2004).22 

Unexpended PRA funds were expected to result from (1) recipients of the first 

reemployment bonus not qualifying for the second bonus, and so not using the remaining 

funds in their accounts; and (2) individuals not qualifying for any bonus, and not using the 

full amount of PRAs on services. 

The data now show that the average PRA recipient spends $1,755 from the account 

(Table V.6). The balance of spending is tipped toward service purchases, for a total of $971 

spent per recipient. The majority of this spending ($800) is directed toward the purchase of 

supportive services. The average recipient earns $783 through the two bonus payments. 

Table V.6. Average Per-Recipient Disbursements 

 All PRA Recipients 

 Average Amount Percent of Total 

Reemployment Bonus (1st Bonus) $531 30%

Retention Bonus (2nd Bonus) $252 14%

Total Bonuses Received $783 45%

Intensive Services $9 1%

Training $163 9%

Supportive Services $802 46%

Total Services Received $974 55%

Total Average Expenditure $1,757 100%

Total as Percent of $3,000 58%

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

Note: Sums may not total to 100 due to rounding. 

The discussion in the prior section shows that account use among both bonus-earners 

and supportive service-focused users is quite high, amounting to average per-recipient 

disbursements of about $2,700 for each group. Even initial nonusers who later make 

primarily supportive service purchases spend $2,200, on average. Low use is seen mainly 

among the “other user” group. While average disbursements for PRA users are high, the full 

picture of disbursements is much different because of cases of complete nonuse of the accounts. 

 22 The O’Leary and Eberts simulation that predicted average spending of $1,452 was based on linked data 

on employment services and UI claims in Georgia; the Decker and Perez-Johnson analysis that predicted 

average spending of $2,519 was based on preliminary results from the ITA Experiment that took the PRA 

structure into account . 
 73 

 V: Patterns in PRA Use 

Average disbursements for all PRA recipients are substantially lower than those of Mississippi, 

Montana, and West Virginia users, somewhat lower in Idaho, Minnesota and Texas, and only 

slightly lower in Florida (Table V.7). 

To fully examine the extent of account use, this section looks at the extremes—the rate 

of full disbursement (or exhaust) of PRA funds, and the rate of nonuse. 

1. Account Exhaust 

Overall, just one in every three PRA recipients uses the full $3,000 (including the 

nonuser group) (Table V.8). Among PRA recipients who actually use their accounts 

(excluding the nonuser group), one in every two uses the account in full. A substantial 

majority (72 percent) of bonus-earners exhaust the account, while a very slight majority (51 

percent) of supportive service-focused users does so. Initial nonusers have a sizeable level 

of account exhaust at 41 percent, further confirming that individuals in this group spend at a 

high level in the later period of the PRA. Approximately one in every four “other users” 

exhausts the PRA. 

Table V.7. Average Disbursements for All PRA Users and For All PRA Recipients, by 

State 

State All PRA Usersa

 All PRA Recipients 

Difference Between 

Users and Recipients 

Florida $2,445 $2,238 $207 

Idaho $2,333 $1,750 $583 

Minnesota $2,411 $1,860 $550 

Mississippi $2,400 $996 $1,404 

Montana $2,278 $1,483 $796 

Texas $2,483 $1,926 $557 

West Virginia $2,404 $1,087 $1,317 

All States $2,432 $1,757 $676 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

a

Disbursements for PRA users presented in this table will differ slightly with those presented in 

the prior section. These calculations are based on all accounts with entry dates prior to July 2006 

while recipients with missing service transaction dates are excluded from the time period 

analysis. 
74 

V: Patterns in PRA Use 

Table V.8. Percent of PRA Recipients Who Use the Full $3,000 (Exhaust the PRA), 

by State and PRA User Group 

State 

Percent of Account 

Exhausted User Group 

Percent of Account 

Exhausted 

Florida 52% Bonus-Earners 72% 

Minnesota 39% 

Texas 37% 

Supportive ServiceFocused 51% 

West Virginia 29% Initial Nonuser 41% 

Idaho 24% Other User 26% 

Mississippi 23% 

Montana 15% 

Total 36% 50% 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

There is a wide range in the rate of account exhaust across the states, with a low of 15 

percent in Montana and a high of 52 percent in Florida. The rates of exhaust in Mississippi 

and West Virginia virtually mirror the rates of receipt for the second bonus, indicating that it 

is full bonus earners who receive the $3,000 account in its entirety. 

Potential Reasons for Lack of Full Use. The focus groups uncovered 

misinformation that affected usage among both bonus earners and supportive service 

purchasers. For bonus earners, there was particular confusion over the documentation 

necessary for receiving the bonus payments, and the criteria enabling receipt of the second 

bonus payment. In one of the bonus groups, respondents had a discussion about the sixmonth retention payment, and whether it was possible to change jobs and still qualify. It 

was clear that at least one person did not access his second bonus payment because he had 

changed jobs and thought this disqualified him from receiving the remaining funds. 

Some supportive service-focused users also may not have used their accounts to the full 

extent because they were unaware of the full range of purchases allowed by their states. 

Some did not know that the account could cover transportation and travel costs associated 

with a job search. Others used the account to purchase items ranging from gas to 

computers, or to enroll in short-term training classes, but were not aware that the funds 

could be directed to everyday expenses, such as paying ongoing bills. 

2. Account Nonuse 

Just over one in every four PRA recipients does not use their account for any purpose 

(Figure V.5). Nonuse is particularly prevalent in Mississippi and West Virginia—at 59 and 

54 percent of all recipients in each state, respectively—where recipients were limited in 

possible PRA uses beyond the bonus. Throughout the demonstration, account holders in 
 75 

 V: Patterns in PRA Use 

these two states have either earned the bonuses or do not use the account at all. 

Nonetheless, sizeable portions of PRA recipients—at least 22 percent—are complete 

nonusers in every state but Florida. Only eight percent of all PRA recipients in Florida 

never use the account, suggesting that these recipients have been well-informed about the 

PRA and/or well-connected with program staff. 

Figure V.5. Percent of PRA Recipients that Are Complete Nonusers, by PRA State 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

Potential Reasons for Nonuse. The focus group study provided some insights into 

the reasons for nonuse. As could be expected, the nonusers in Mississippi were 

predominantly individuals who accepted the PRA offer with the sole intent of earning the 

bonus, but who did not end up finding employment within the required timeframe. They 

share traits with the bonus-earner groups, in that they wanted the lump-sum bonus. They 

talked about needing the flexibility that the cash would provide to meet their most pressing 

ongoing expenses (such as gas, utility bills, and car repairs). When they did not earn the 

bonus, they let their PRA funds languish. Given the ability to use the PRA for the broad 

range of uses allowed in other demonstration states, these nonusers most likely would have 

accessed their accounts to purchase supportive services, particularly those that could assist 

with everyday expenses. 

59

54

34

25 23 22

8

28

0

20

40

60

80

100

Mississippi West Virginia Montana Idaho Minnesota Texas Florida All States

Percent
76 

V: Patterns in PRA Use 

Even beyond the group in Mississippi, most respondents in all the nonuser focus 

groups were individuals who accepted the PRA with the intention, or hope, of receiving the 

bonus. They said that they did not use their PRAs because they had not qualified for the 

bonus. However, the discussions revealed that many of these nonusers might have made use 

of their accounts if they had been more aware of the policies governing bonus receipt and 

service purchases. For example, a few nonusers in Minnesota and Mississippi may have 

qualified for the bonus, but either did not know about, or misunderstood the processes 

necessary to claim it. 

Most of the nonusers in the focus groups, however, were individuals who did not 

qualify for the bonus and simply did not know, or perhaps did not remember, that they 

could use the account to purchase services. In general, they understood little about the 

purpose of the accounts beyond the bonus. This resulted in misunderstandings about the 

length of time the account was available to them, as well as their ability to use it to purchase 

services. During the focus group discussions, these nonusers indicated that they would have 

used the account to pay bills, buy gas, and purchase computer software had they known that 

these were available options. 

Some nonusers talked about their difficulty in reaching staff, calls left unreturned, 

feelings of mistreatment by and disrespect from staff, and the lack of program knowledge on 

the part of staff that left them with unanswered questions about how to use their accounts. 

At one site in particular, these experiences with staff were cited as substantial disincentives 

for any account use. 

Account disbursements through reimbursement only may have limited the ability of 

some PRA recipients to make purchases to support their job search. This may be 

particularly applicable to Idaho, in which PRA funds for purchases are available through 

reimbursement only, rather than as vendor direct payments or vouchers. As a result of this 

policy, several respondents in the Idaho focus groups did not use their accounts, or did so 

only minimally, because any purchases would require an initial cash outlay on their part. 

D. PRA CLOSURES

While the PRA is valid for one year, there are reasons that the accounts can close early, 

such as full use of the $3,000 before the year ends, or the opposite—early closure for lack of 

use (only applicable in West Virginia and Minnesota). This section discusses the reasons that 

PRAs close, and the typical length of time they remain open. 

1. Reasons for Closure 

The majority of PRAs close because they are exhausted, or because the one-year time 

period ends. Fully 68 percent of all PRAs are closed for these two reasons (Table V.9). 

Minnesota and West Virginia are the only states that make a practice of closing accounts 

early due to nonuse. In West Virginia, half of the accounts close due to inactivity, and in 

Minnesota, 16 percent close for this reason. Texas reports a substantial number of accounts 

closed due to participant withdrawal. In general, this occurs when an individual is offered a 
 77 

 V: Patterns in PRA Use 

PRA but later is deemed eligible for Trade Act Assistance (TAA), which disqualifies him/her 

from receiving a PRA. However, this percentage is too high to reflect so much PRA 

eligibility error, and also would have to be reflected in higher percentages of nonuse (which 

is 22 percent in Texas). In Florida, 12 percent of PRAs close because the recipients become 

employed. The data show that two regions in Florida close accounts for individuals who 

become employed after the bonus qualification had passed, suggesting that these regions do 

not allow PRA use after employment, regardless of the timing of employment entry. PRAs 

closed for “other” reasons include becoming ineligible for the account due to UI eligibility 

issues, or due to a return to a previous employer. 

2. Length of Accounts 

The time that PRAs remain open is largely a factor of their use. If recipients spend 

down the full $3,000, then the account closes at the time of the last disbursement. In West 

Virginia and Minnesota, unused accounts close early, typically at about 26 weeks. In the 

other states, unused accounts remain open for the full 52 weeks. In all of the states, 

accounts that have some but not full use typically remain open for the full year. Just over 

one-third of PRAs remain open for 52 weeks (Table V.10). The states with the highest rate 

of exhaustion—Florida and Texas—and those with high exhaustion rates and/or early 

closure policies based on inactivity—Minnesota and West Virginia—have fewer than half of 

PRAs that are open for less than the full 52 weeks. 

Table V.9. Reasons for PRA Closures, by State 

 Florida Idaho Minnesota Mississippi Montana Texas 

West 

Virginia All States

Funds exhausted 52 24 39 23 15 37 29 36 

Time expired 

(one year) 

15 57 40 64 54 29 12 32 

Participant 

withdrawal 

0 0 0 0 0 28 0 9 

Inactivity within 

required timeframe 

0 0 16 0 0 0 51 10 

Became employed 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 

Other 4 0 2 0 0 2 0 2 

Unknown 18 19 3 14 31 4 7 8 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

Note: Sums may not total to 100 due to rounding. 
78 

V: Patterns in PRA Use 

Table V.10. Length of PRAs (percentages) 

Florida Idaho Minnesota Mississippi Montana Texas 

West 

Virginia All States

Length of Open PRA Account 

0-13 Weeks 11 4 12 10 8 5 6 8 

14-26 Weeks 10 7 17 2 3 10 31 13 

27-39 Weeks 44 25 20 15 19 37 42 32 

40-51 Weeks 11 8 9 9 12 15 9 11 

52 Weeks 24 58 41 65 59 33 13 36 

Average 34.7 43.4 37.0 43.4 43.2 38.6 31.8 37.7 

Median 34 52 40.0 52 52 39 30 38 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

Note: Sums may not total to 100 due to rounding. 

Even while PRAs tend to remain open the full year, the last disbursements are made 

much earlier. The timing of the last disbursement is of importance only for service 

purchases since the timeframes for bonus disbursements are predetermined (within the first 

13 weeks of UI receipt for the first bonus, and six months later for the second). The average 

time from PRA entry to the last disbursement is just about four months for both supportive 

service-focused users and “other” users (Table V.11). As might be expected, the last 

disbursement occurs later for the initial nonuser group that begins spending only after the 

bonus qualification period passes. For this group, the last disbursement is made, on average, 

about six and a half months after PRA entry. 

Table V.11. Time from PRA Receipt to Last Service Disbursement 

Supportive ServiceFocused User Other User Initial Nonuser 

Time to Last Service 

Disbursement 

 

Average (in months) 4.2 3.8 6.6 

Median (in months) 3.2 2.5 5.9 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 
C HAPTER VI 

P ATTERNS OF UI R ECEIPT AND 

E MPLOYMENT OF PRA R ECIPIENTS

he ultimate goal of PRAs is to help targeted UI recipients obtain jobs. The 

effectiveness of PRAs in meeting this goal can be judged by the extent to which they 

shorten the length of UI receipt and speed reemployment. Absent an impact 

evaluation, it is not possible to ascertain the true impacts of PRAs on UI receipt or 

employment. This chapter compares UI receipt, employment, and earnings among PRA 

recipients and among all UI recipients. However, because PRA recipients differ from all UI 

recipients—in being eligible for a PRA and in deciding to accept a PRA—differences in 

these outcomes could be a result of underlying characteristics of the PRA recipients rather 

than the offer of a PRA and should not be viewed as the impacts of a PRA. Despite this 

caution about interpretation, these comparisons are still interesting and can provide some 

insights into the expected future outcomes of PRA recipients. 

A. UI RECEIPT

By definition, PRA recipients are considered more likely than other UI recipients to 

exhaust their benefits—that is, to receive UI for all weeks they are eligible for benefits—yet 

many do not exhaust their benefits to the degree expected. States estimate the probability 

that each UI claimant will receive their benefits in full through the WPRS models.23 The 

estimated average rate of exhaust for PRA recipients based on WPRS scores in the five 

states for which these data are available is 52 percent (Table VI.1). The actual average rate 

of exhaust for PRA recipients is substantially lower at 40 percent. Actual exhaust rates for 

recipients are consistently lower, on average, than the estimated rates in each of the four 

states for which both are available. Overall, in these four states the average estimated UI 

exhaust rate for PRA recipients is 55 percent while the actual rate is 47 percent (data not 

shown). 

 23 WPRS models are discussed briefly in Chapter I. Additional detail of these models and their role in 

determining PRA eligibility is provided in the interim evaluation report (Kirby 2006). 

T
80 

VI: Patterns of UI Receipt and Employment of PRA Recipients 

As can be expected, the actual rate of exhaust by PRA recipients is higher overall than 

that for all UI beneficiaries (including those not deemed likely to exhaust their benefits). 

Two states, however, are notable exceptions; in Florida and Idaho, exhaust rates among PRA 

recipients (36 and 21 percent, respectively) are lower than statewide exhaust rates based on 

all UI beneficiaries (44 and 26 percent, respectively). 

Table VI.1. UI Exhaust Rates (percentages) 

State 

Estimated 

Exhaust Rate 

For PRA 

Recipients 

Based on 

WPRS Scores 

2005-06 

Actual 

Exhaust 

Rate 

Among 

PRA 

Recipients 

in 2005–06 

Statewide 

Exhaust Rate for 

all UI Recipients 

in FY 2006 

Percent of PRA 

Recipients Who 

Come Within 1 

Month of 

Exhausting 

Percent of PRA 

Recipients Who 

Do Not Come 

Within 1 Month 

of Exhausting 

Florida -- 36 44 11 53 

Idaho -- 21 26 17 63 

Minnesota 45 -- 31 -- -- 

Mississippi 43 36 27 7 58 

Montana 66 60 32 8 32 

Texas 56 53 36 8 39 

West Virginia 55 39 25 7 54 

All States 52 40 32 10 50 

Source: Calculations are based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. Statewide 

exhaust rates are based on state-reported data in the Unemployment Insurance Data 

Base (UIDB); see http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/unemploy/content/data.asp. 

-- Data not available. 

The vast majority of PRA recipients who do not exhaust their benefits end their UI 

receipt at least one month before reaching the number of weeks for which they are eligible 

(Table VI.1). For example, while 53 percent of PRA recipients exhaust their UI benefits in 

Texas, only another 8 percent come close to UI benefit exhaust—the remaining 39 percent 

do not come within one month of exhausting them. Similarly, only 7 to 8 percent of PRA 

recipients in three other demonstration states—Mississippi, Montana, and West Virginia—

come within one month of exhausting their benefits; in Florida and Idaho the percentages 

who come close to exhaustion are slightly higher but remain less than 20 percent. 

As a reemployment strategy, the PRA is intended to help recipients reenter the 

workforce by providing assistance (through service purchases) and/or an incentive (through 

the bonus payment) to do so quickly. Data are not available to pinpoint the timing of 

employment entry for all PRA recipients (beyond those who qualify for the employment 

entry bonus). UI receipt duration can be used as a proxy for employment entry, under the 

assumption that the primary reason a recipient discontinues their UI receipt early is because 
 81 

VI: Patterns of UI Receipt and Employment of PRA Recipients 

they get a job. Just over one in every three PRA recipients receives UI benefits for 13 weeks 

or less, suggesting that they gain employment within one quarter of PRA entry (Table VI.2). 

In Florida and Mississippi, the majority of PRA recipients receive less than 13 weeks of UI 

receipt, while in Minnesota and Montana less than 30 percent of PRA recipients end UI 

receipt and presumably become employed within 13 weeks of their UI claim 

PRA recipients receive UI benefits for 17 weeks, on average—about one month shorter 

than their full period of eligibility and about one month longer than all UI recipients in the 

demonstration states (Table VI.2). In three states—Florida, Mississippi, and Montana—

PRA recipients received UI benefits for the same amount of or less time on average than all 

UI beneficiaries. This may suggest that in these states, the PRA may reduce UI receipt as it 

is expected that PRA recipients are more likely to exhaust. In states where information on 

UI receipt for PRA decliners is available, PRA recipients remain on UI about two weeks less 

on average and exhaust benefits at a substantially lower rate (40 versus 69 percent) than 

those who were offered but declined the PRA.24 While the PRAs may account for some of 

this difference, other factors such as differences in the types of UI recipients who accept and 

decline the PRA offer may be contributing as much or more. For example, if decliners do 

pursue training as a reason for not accepting the PRA, as suspected, then their return to 

work may be delayed and their receipt of UI benefits prolonged. 

Table VI.2. Duration of UI Receipt (in weeks) 

State 

Percentage of PRA 

Recipients with UI 

Receipt Duration of 

13 Weeks or Less 

Average Duration of 

UI Eligibility Among 

PRA Recipients in 

2005-06 

(in weeks) 

Average UI 

Duration Among 

PRA Recipients 

in 2005-06 

(in weeks) 

Average UI Duration 

Among all UI 

Recipients in 

FY 2006 

(in weeks) 

Florida 53 22 14 14 

Idaho 37 26 17 12 

Minnesota 29 -- 18 15 

Mississippi 53 24 14 17 

Montana 28 20 15 15 

Texas 31 22 17 14 

West Virginia 42 26 17 14 

All States 37 24 17 13 

Source: Calculations based on PRA and UI data from the seven demonstration states. Statewide UI 

durations are based on state-reported data in the Unemployment Insurance Data Base (UIDB); 

see http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/unemploy/ content/data.asp. 

-- Data not available. 

 24 Comparisons between PRA accepters and decliners are based on data from Idaho, Mississippi, Texas, 

West Virginia and one of four demonstration sites in Minnesota. Detailed data tables are included in Appendix 

C. 
82 

VI: Patterns of UI Receipt and Employment of PRA Recipients 

B. EMPLOYMENT 

In the quarter following PRA entry, half of all PRA recipients are employed and this 

overall rate does not change much by the third quarter (Table VI.3). Employment rates 

fluctuate from quarter to quarter rather than rising consistently. For example, across all 

seven demonstration states, a higher percentage of PRA recipients are employed in the 

second quarter after PRA receipt than in the first. But, in four states—Idaho, Minnesota, 

Mississippi, and Texas—employment rates are lower in the third quarter after PRA receipt 

than in the second (though only slightly so in two of the states—Texas and Mississippi). In 

Florida, the employment rate stagnates from the second quarter to the third, and in Montana 

and West Virginia it rises slightly. 

Table VI.3. Employment Rates After PRA Entry (percentages) 

 Employment In: 

State 

Quarter 1 Following 

PRA Entry 

Quarter 2 Following 

PRA Entry 

Quarter 3 Following 

PRA Entry 

Florida 67 74 74 

Idaho 29 34 23 

Minnesota 56 72 58 

Mississippi 83 85 81 

Montana 24 27 29 

Texas 57 68 66 

West Virginia 34 39 42 

All States 50 59 54 

Source: Calculations based on PRA and UI data from the seven demonstration states. 

The rates of employment between PRA recipients and those who decline it are similar 

in the first two quarters after PRA entry; just under half of the individuals in each group are 

employed in the first quarter and the rates rise for both in the second quarter. However, by 

the third quarter following PRA entry (or offer), the employment rate among PRA recipients 

falls while it rises slightly for decliners. In this quarter, the employment rate for decliners is 

significantly higher than for PRA recipients (data not shown; refer to Table C.6 in the 

Appendix). 

Beyond employment entry and ending UI benefit receipt, the two-tiered bonus structure 

of the PRA is intended to encourage and reward job retention. While many PRA recipients 

gain employment, job instability is an issue in some states. In three states—Idaho, Montana, 

and West Virginia—38 percent or less of recipients are employed in any two consecutive 
 83 

VI: Patterns of UI Receipt and Employment of PRA Recipients 

quarters after receiving a PRA—that is, in the first and second quarters after PRA receipt, or 

in the second and third quarters after PRA receipt (Table VI.4).25 In two other states—

Minnesota and Texas—about two-thirds are employed in any two consecutive quarters after 

receiving a PRA, while in Mississippi and Florida rates of employment in two consecutive 

quarters are substantially higher (83 and 72 percent, respectively). Across all demonstration 

states, substantially fewer are employed in three consecutive quarters than in two. This 

measure essentially only captures consistent employment among bonus-earners who gain 

employment early after PRA receipt and have the opportunity to maintain employment for 

the full three-quarter follow-up period. 

Table VI.4. Consistent Employment After PRA Receipt (percentages) 

State 

Employed in Two Quarters 

Consecutively 

Employed in Three Quarters 

Consecutively 

Florida 72 56 

Idaho 31 18 

Minnesota 65 40 

Mississippi 83 68 

Montana 26 19 

Texas 66 44 

West Virginia 38 27 

All States 56 38 

Source: Calculations based on PRA and UI data from the seven demonstration states. 

C. EARNINGS

The structure of the PRA (the bonus incentives and the $3,000 cap, specifically) made it 

a reemployment strategy that focused on quick reemployment and fast access to services. In 

addition, its targeting criteria to UI recipients deemed likely to exhaust their benefits tended 

to include individuals in the middle of their careers (based on age and job tenure discussed in 

Chapter III). Some of these individuals, as reported in focus groups, were stunned to find 

themselves unemployed after many years in the workforce. 

The earnings of PRA recipients suggest that many have had to take a step back in their 

careers, at least temporarily; an experience similar to most unemployed workers when they 

return to work. In each demonstration state except Mississippi, median quarterly earnings 

among those employed were highest in the quarter prior to PRA receipt (Figure VI.1). On 

average, median earnings among those employed in the first quarter after PRA entry were 

 25 Employment and earnings data in the quarter of PRA entry could pertain to jobs that PRA recipients 

held prior to being determined eligible for UI and receiving a PRA. To ensure a focus on employment and 

earnings after PRA entry, this quarter is excluded. 
84 

VI: Patterns of UI Receipt and Employment of PRA Recipients 

less than two-thirds of median earnings among those employed in the quarter prior to PRA 

entry. It is possible that the PRA recipients who were in relatively lower paying jobs prior to 

PRA entry disproportionately returned to work soon after PRA entry and took jobs on par 

with their previous ones (that is, that individuals in the low-wage labor market may become 

re-employed more quickly than those with relatively more skills because of the transient 

nature of jobs in the low-wage labor market). Another explanation for this pattern in 

earnings is that many PRA recipients reentering employment took jobs that paid less than 

their previous jobs, perhaps because the new jobs were in different fields than those in 

which they were experienced. 

Figure VI.1. Median Earnings Among Those Employed Before and After PRA Receipt 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

PRA recipients do earn more over time, although within three quarters after PRA entry 

they had still not caught up to prior earnings. In each demonstration state, median quarterly 

earnings among those employed increases steadily between the first and third quarters after 

PRA entry (though in Florida, median earnings do not change between the second and third 

quarter after entry). By the third quarter after PRA entry, median earnings among those 

employed approach 84 percent of median earnings among those employed in the quarter 

prior to entry (up from 63 percent in the first quarter after PRA entry). This trend could 

reflect changing labor market conditions or other environmental factors in the 

demonstration states. However, it could also suggest upward job mobility among those 

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

9000

10000

Florida Idaho Minnesota Mississippi Montana Texas West

Virginia

All

State

Median Earnings (dollars)

1 quarter prior to PRA receipt 1 quarter after PRA receipt

2 quarters after PRA receipt 3 quarters after PRA receipt
 85 

VI: Patterns of UI Receipt and Employment of PRA Recipients 

recipients who remain employed over time and/or the job search strategies of PRA 

recipients—specifically, that instead of taking any job right away, many PRA recipients wait 

to find better quality jobs that are more in line with their experience, goals, and salary 

expectations. 

 Specifically for bonus earners, the median rate of pay declines from $13.75 per hour 

prior to PRA entry to $12 at the time of reemployment (Table VI.5). Among second bonus 

earners, the median pay remains the same after six-months on the job (the time of the 

second bonus). The majority of all bonus recipients earn between $10 and $20 per hour 

both before PRA entry and at the time of reemployment. 

Table VI.5. Hourly Rate of Pay for Bonus Earners (percentages, unless otherwise stated) 

Among All Earners of the 

Employment Entry (First) Bonus 

Among All Earners of Both the Employment Entry 

and Retention Bonuses 

Hourly Rate of Pay 

Prior to PRA 

Entry 

At Employment 

Entry 

Prior to PRA 

Entry 

At Employment 

Entry 

At 

Employment 

Retention 

Less than $10 24 28 16 25 21 

$10 to Less than $20 53 52 42 56 58 

$20 to Less than $30 16 10 15 10 10 

$30 or More 8 10 26 9 11 

Average $16.29 $14.23 $17.24 $14.89 $14.95 

Median $13.75 $12.00 $14.41 $12.50 $12.50 

Number of Bonus 

Earners 

1,179 676 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

D. CHARACTERISTICS AND OUTCOMES OF PRA RECIPIENTS BY USER TYPE

Based on the patterns in PRA spending between different groups of users and nonusers, 

this section describes the characteristics of each group prior to PRA entry, the patterns of UI 

receipt and employment following entry, and the ways in which groups share similarities or 

differences.26

1. Characteristics at PRA Entry 

The complete nonusers and bonus-earners appear most similar in their demographic 

and employment characteristics, while the supportive service-focused and “other” user 

groups also seem to share many traits. For example, both bonus-earners and complete 

nonusers are more likely to be men, the majority have high school diplomas or less, and they 

worked the longest hours per week and earned the least pay in their jobs prior to PRA entry, 

 26 All tests of significant differences are relative to bonus-earners. 
86 

VI: Patterns of UI Receipt and Employment of PRA Recipients 

on average, across the groups (Tables IV.6 and IV.7). Supportive service-focused and 

“other” users are more likely to have a high school diploma but less than a four-year college 

degree and fewer show earnings of less than $10 per hour in their previous job. 

Given the similarities in characteristics, it is likely that the complete nonusers are 

actually “bonus-focused” in their approach to the accounts—that is, they want to earn the 

lump sum bonus payment but do not find a job in time. Many of these complete nonusers 

live in West Virginia and Mississippi, where they have less ability to use the PRA funds, at 

least for supportive services, once they do not qualify for the bonus. The supportive servicefocused and “other” users also are likely to be similarly focused; they may be less confident 

about their ability to gain employment within the bonus qualification period, but have 

service needs on which they could spend the PRA funds from the start. 

The initial nonusers are the most distinct group; they appear to be the most 

professional, experienced, and well-paid group of recipients at the time of PRA entry. 

Recipients in this group tend to be older and more likely to have some education beyond 

high school, in comparison to the other groups of PRA recipients (Table VI.6). This group 

was also the highest paid, on average, in the jobs they held prior to PRA entry, and they held 

these jobs the longest when compared with other PRA recipients (Table VI.7). As a result, 

this group also receives the highest average WBA while receiving UI benefits (Table VI.8). 

They also are the most likely to have been employed in the professional and business 

services and information industries (data not shown, detailed in Table 13 of Appendix C). 

The strategy of the initial nonuser is to “save” PRA funds during the bonus qualification 

period with the hope of earning the bonus, and then spend the funds when employment 

does not occur. This group may not be willing or able to speed reemployment to earn the 

bonus because of the type and level of jobs they are seeking, but they also do not want the 

account go to waste, and so tend to use it for supportive service purchases after the bonus 

qualification period passes. 

2. UI Receipt and Employment Outcomes 

The similarities between the bonus-earner and the complete nonuser groups break 

down when examining their employment experiences after PRA entry (Table VI.8). As 

expected, the bonus-earners tend to enter employment within 13 weeks of UI receipt, and 

are, by far, the least likely group to exhaust their UI benefits. They have the highest rate of 

consistent employment and the highest employment rates in all quarters after PRA entry. As 

a result, median earnings of the bonus-earner group by the third quarter after PRA entry are 

nearly at the level they were in the quarter prior to entry. 

The employment outcomes of complete nonusers after PRA entry are not as promising. 

The majority of recipients in this group exhaust their UI benefits. These PRA recipients 

have the lowest employment rates in the second and third quarters after receiving the PRA 

and are significantly less likely to be employed consistently—in either two or three quarters 

after PRA entry relative to bonus-earners. By the third quarter, their median earnings are 

about 70 percent of their prior earnings. 
 87 

VI: Patterns of UI Receipt and Employment of PRA Recipients 

Table VI.6. Characteristics of Recipients at PRA Entry, by User Group (Percentages, 

Unless Stated Otherwise) 

Bonus 

Earners 

Support 

Service 

Focused 

Users 

Complete 

Nonusers Other Users 

Initial 

Nonusers 

All 

Recipients

Gender 

Male 55 49 53 43*** 49* 51 

Female 45 51 47 57 52 49 

Age 

Less than 25 years 6 5 8 6 5 7 

25 to 34 years 22 19 18** 18 16** 19 

35 to 44 years 28 31 23 27 25 26 

45 to 54 years 29 30 31 31 35 31 

55 years and over 15 15 21** 19 19 18 

Average Age in Years 42.2 42.6 43.6** 43.3 44.3** 43.2 

Median Age in Years 43 43 45 44 45 44 

Ethnicity/Race 

Non-Hispanic, white 70 66 70 69 65 69 

Non-Hispanic, black 19 11*** 21 15 11*** 17 

Non-Hispanic, other races 2 5*** 3 5*** 6*** 4 

Hispanic, any race 10 18*** 6*** 11 19*** 11 

Educational Attainment 

Less than high school diploma / GED 9 9 13** 5** 5* 9 

High school diploma / GED 46 34*** 50 34*** 33*** 42 

Some college / 2 year degree 28 34* 27 36*** 37*** 31 

Completed 4 year college 13 15 8*** 16 18** 13 

Post-graduate education 5 8** 3 9*** 8* 6 

Total Number of Recipients 877 529 1,146 600 458 3,610 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

Notes: Two-tailed t-tests were conducted to test for differences across groups. The t-tests were 

pairwise comparisons of the bonus-earner group against every other group. 

 Sums may not total to 100 due to rounding. 

*/**/*** Difference is statistically significant at the .10/.05/.01 level. 

The supportive service-focused and other users continue to be similar to each other and 

to land somewhere between the bonus-earners and complete nonusers in terms of 

employment outcomes. Roughly half exhaust their UI benefits, and these recipients have 

consistent employment rates and quarterly employment rates that are lower than bonusearners, but higher than complete nonusers. Interestingly, the supportive service-focused 

users achieve median earnings in the third quarter after PRA entry that equal the level of 

earnings prior to entry; they are the only group to do so. 
88 

VI: Patterns of UI Receipt and Employment of PRA Recipients 

Table VI.7. Characteristics of Last Job Held Prior to PRA Entry, by User Group 

(Percentages, Unless Stated Otherwise) 

Bonus 

Earners 

Support 

Service 

Focused 

Users 

Complete 

Nonusers Other Users 

Initial 

Nonusers 

All 

Recipients

Hours Worked Per Week 

Less than 20 2 4 3 3 7*** 4 

20 to 34 6 7 8 7 8 7 

35 or more 92 89 89 90 86*** 89 

Average 41.4 38.7*** 41.2 39.0*** 38.1*** 40.0 

Median 40 40 40 40 40 40 

Hourly Rate of Pay 

Less than $10 24 17** 28 18* 19 23 

$10 to Less than $20 51 55 52 57 50 53 

$20 to Less than $30 17 17 12** 13 19 15 

$30 or More 8 11 9 12 12 10 

Average $16.53 $17.63 $16.10 $17.95 $18.73* $17.07 

Median $13.88 $14.03 $12.60 $14.00 $15.00 $13.69 

Years on Job 

Average 6.8 7.9 7.1 8.0 8.3* 7.4 

Median 3.4 4.0 3.3 4.5 5.0 3.8 

Total Number of Recipients 877 529 1,146 600 458 3,610 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

Notes: Two-tailed t-tests were conducted to test for differences across groups. The t-tests were 

pairwise comparisons of the bonus-earner group against every other group. 

 Sums may not total to 100 due to rounding. 

*/**/*** Difference is statistically significant at the .10/.05/.01 level. 

The initial nonusers do not appear to fare as well as the others in the three quarters 

following PRA entry, but they also may be the group likely to be most interested in holding 

out for high-quality jobs that may take more time to secure. Nine out of every ten initial 

nonusers receive at least 14 weeks of UI benefits, and roughly two out of every three receive 

their UI benefits in full. This group is the least likely to be employed in three consecutive 

quarters and has the lowest rate of employment in the first quarter after PRA entry. Due to 

their delayed reemployment, median earnings in the last follow-up quarter are about 74 

percent of median earnings prior to PRA entry. 
 89 

VI: Patterns of UI Receipt and Employment of PRA Recipients 

Table V1.8. UI Receipt and Employment After PRA Entry, by User Group (Percentages, 

Unless Stated Otherwise) 

Bonus 

Earners 

Support 

Service 

Focused Users

Complete 

Nonusers 

Other 

Users 

Initial 

Nonusers 

All PRA 

Recipients

UI Eligibility 

Average number of weeks 24 23*** 24*** 23 23*** 23 

Average weekly benefit amount $291 $294 $291 $291 $309*** $294 

UI Receipt 

13 weeks of less 86 25*** 20*** 27*** 10*** 37 

14-28 weeks 14 75*** 80*** 73*** 90*** 63 

Average duration 9.2 18.0*** 19.7*** 18.0*** 20.5*** 16.6

Average amount $2,717 $5,490*** $5,976*** $5,453*** $6,706*** $5,127 

UI Exhaust 

Percent who exhaust benefits 7 51*** 55*** 49*** 62*** 42 

Percent who come within one 

month of exhausting 

4 12*** 9** 12*** 16*** 10 

Percent who do not come within 

one month of exhausting 

89 37*** 36*** 39*** 23*** 49 

Consistent Employment Following 

Entry:a

 

In two consecutive quarters 77 54*** 48*** 56*** 49*** 58 

In three consecutive quarters 63 34*** 30*** 39*** 25*** 39 

Employment In: 

Quarter Prior to PRA Entry 85 79* 73*** 82 79* 79 

Same quarter as PRA receipt 80 63*** 56*** 63*** 55*** 64 

One quarter of PRA receipt 80 47*** 39*** 51*** 36*** 52 

Two quarters of PRA receipt 78 59*** 50*** 60*** 54*** 61 

Three quarters of PRA receipt 70 49*** 50*** 58*** 51*** 56 

Median Earnings In: b 

Quarter prior to PRA entry $7,211 $6,432 $7,002 $6,516 $7,538 $6,920 

Entry quarter $3,896 $2,896 $4,362 $3,125 $3,997 $3,775 

Quarter 1 following PRA entry $5,603 $3,762 $3,618 $3,616 $2,250 $4,384 

Quarter 2 following PRA entry $6,489 $5,638 $4,189 $4,855 $3,534 $5,357 

Quarter 3 following PRA entry $6,780 $6,549 $4,963 $5,123 $5,602 $5,804 

Sample Size 740 507 842 570 442 3,101 

Source: Calculations based on PRA and UI data from the seven demonstration states. 

Notes: Two-tailed t-tests were conducted to test for differences across groups. The t-tests were pairwise 

comparisons of the bonus-earner group against every other group. 

 Sums may not total to 100 due to rounding. 

*/**/*** Difference is statistically significant at the .10/.05/.01 level. 

a

Consistent employment in two consecutive quarters is defined as employed in the first and second quarters after PRA 

receipt, or in the second and third quarters after PRA receipt. Consistent employment in three consecutive quarters is 

defined as employed in the first, second, and third quarters after PRA receipt. 

b

Average and median earnings restricted to those PRA recipients who were employed. 

C HAPTER VII 

M ANAGING PRA S AT THE S TATE 

AND L OCAL L EVEL

he demonstration states and participating sites were pioneers in exploring the use of 

self-managed accounts for reemployment services. Not only was the hands-off 

service approach substantially different, but so was the management of the 

demonstration grant itself. The practice of obligating PRAs in full at the time the accounts 

were opened gave a great deal of flexibility to account holders, but presented the states with 

challenges in spending down their full demonstration grants while maintaining fiscal 

responsibility. The states entered the PRA demonstration with open minds about the 

feasibility and usefulness of self-managed accounts. In reflecting on their experience with 

PRAs, they remain open to the possibilities that customer-choice strategies still hold, but are 

skeptical about the specific contribution PRAs can make in helping unemployed workers 

reattach to the workforce. Hawaii is included in the discussion throughout this chapter 

because the discussion and analysis are drawn from qualitative information and aggregate 

data that were available for all eight demonstration states. 

A. ESTABLISHING PRAS: ACHIEVING INITIAL TARGETS AND MAKING THE LAST 

OFFERS

ETA disbursed funding for the PRA demonstration with the expectation that all funds 

slated for direct use by account holders would be fully expended by the demonstration 

states. And while funding for accounts was based on a target number of PRAs, this target 

implicitly was a minimum, since not all recipients would fully spend down their accounts. 

States were expected to recycle funds remaining in closed accounts in order to extend offers 

to additional eligible individuals. 

1. Progress in Achieving PRA Targets 

By September 2007, seven of the eight demonstration states reached or exceeded their 

targets for the minimum number of accounts that their PRA grants could accommodate 

(Table VII.1). The eighth, Idaho, fell short of its target by 116 accounts, achieving about 80 

percent of the intended minimum number. Since the beginning of the demonstration, a 

strong economy in Idaho has reduced the overall number of UI claimants identified as likely 

T
92 

VII: Managing PRAs at the State and Local Level 

to exhaust their benefits. Additional criteria specific to PRA entry further reduced the 

eligible pool of individuals and resulted in fewer than 10 offers made each week in any of the 

demonstration sites in the state.27 The state workforce agency added four additional 

demonstration sites to the original two at the time it received a second round of funding 

from ETA with the purpose of increasing the number of PRA offers they could make. 

Table VII.1. Progress in Achieving Targeted Number of PRAs, as of September 2007 

Target (Minimum Number 

of Established PRAs) 

2005 

Grant 2006 Grant Total 

Number of Established 

PRAs 

Established PRAs as a 

Percent of Target a

Florida 495 n/a 495 513 104% 

Hawaii n/a 160 160 211 132% 

Idaho 200 393 593 477 80% 

Minnesota 363 450 813 1,035 127% 

Mississippi 233 270 503 841 167% 

Montana 158 n/a 158 157 99% 

Texas 625 n/a 625 733 117% 

West Virginia 196 n/a 196 513 262% 

Total 2,270 1,273 3,543 4,480 126% 

Source: Calculations based on state quarterly activity and expenditure reports on the PRA demonstration, 

as of September 2007. 

a All calculations are based on totals across both grant years. 

n/a = not applicable.

Other states also experienced challenges in making the number of offers necessary to 

achieve their targets, even while they ultimately succeeded. Similarly to the experience in 

Idaho, participating sites in Texas had lower than expected numbers of individuals eligible to 

receive the PRA offer. Early in the demonstration the state workforce agency adjusted PRA 

eligibility to expand this pool.28 Montana experienced a hiatus in making PRA offers for 

 27 PRA eligibility criteria in Idaho pertain to the timing of the first UI payment and the number of weeks 

of total UI eligibility. Details are included in Kirby 2006. 

28 Texas was the only other state (along with Idaho) that established eligibility criteria specific to the PRA 

after UI recipients were targeted for reemployment services based on the WPRS model. PRA-specific criteria 

included the timing of the first UI payment, the number of weeks of total UI eligibility, and a minimum 

“probability of exhaust” score. To increase the eligible pool early on, Texas expanded the range in the number 

of weeks of total UI eligibility, from 17 to 22 weeks to 17 to 26 weeks, and dropped the minimum score from 

.61 to .50 (Kirby 2006). 
 93 

VII: Managing PRAs at the State and Local Level 

most of 2006 due to structural changes in the state’s workforce investment system. The 

state began making PRA offers again in September 2006 and by the end of that year had 

substantially increased the number of accounts established (from 49 at the end of 2005 to 

125 at the end of 2006). Lastly, the largest demonstration site in Mississippi—Gulfport—

suspended PRA offers for one year, from August 2005 to September 2006, as a result of 

Hurricane Katrina. 

2. Timing of the Last PRA Offers 

All but two of the demonstration states made their final PRA offers by June 2007 

(Table VII.2). In general, the last offers in each state were made at least one year prior to the 

end of the DOL grant period. However, in Minnesota and West Virginia, offers continued 

into the last 12-month period of the grant because both of these states have practices to 

close inactive accounts early (discussed in Chapter II). State administrators in these states 

expect that accounts will either be exhausted or closed due to inactivity within the allotted 

time. 

Table VII.2 PRA Demonstration Grant End Dates and Timing of Last Offers 

State Last Offers Made 

End of DOL Grant 

Period 

Florida February 2006 April 2007 

Hawaii June 2007 June 2008 

Idaho June 2007 June 2008 

Minnesota February 2008 June 2008 

Mississippi June 2007 June 2008 

Montana February 2007 February 2008 

Texas September 2006 February 2008 

West Virginia August 2007 February 2008 

Source: Interviews with state PRA coordinators, November 2007. 

B. PRA DEMONSTRATION GRANT MANAGEMENT 

Managing the demonstration grant in order to expend as much of the funding slated for 

accounts as possible was a considerable challenge for the states. The extent of use of the 

accounts could not be known until states had implemented the strategy for some time. And, 

because PRAs are obligated in full to an individual for up to one year, any actual recycling of 

funds would take time. In order to accommodate the need to expend the grant within a 

three- to three and a half-year timeframe while allowing accounts to run their full course, 

states had to obligate funds greater than the total of their PRA grant. Even doing so, none 

of the states is likely to fully expend its DOL grant, although some will come close. 
94 

VII: Managing PRAs at the State and Local Level 

1. PRA Funding Levels and Obligations 

On average, obligations to PRA accounts exceeded grant funding by 26 percent, but 

there was a substantial range in how far states were willing to go in order to fully spend 

down PRA funding (Table VII.3). In Florida, Montana, and Idaho, state administrators 

focused their sights on hitting the targeted number of PRAs, rather than on expending the 

full demonstration grant. These states did not overobligate funds, or did so very minimally. 

At the other extreme were the demonstration states of Mississippi and West Virginia, in 

which nonuse of accounts was substantial (as discussed in Chapter V). State administrators 

carefully tracked the extent of use among current account holders in order to estimate the 

number of accounts they would need to spend down the grant. They were willing to 

overobligate available funding by substantial amounts (67 and 162 percent, respectively) to 

serve more unemployed workers with accounts. Yet, while state administrators in Mississippi 

were willing to overobligate PRA funds, they were not willing to go to the level that would 

have been needed to fully expend the grant. At one point the state estimated that they 

would have to overobligate by 200 percent or more, a proportion they believed was too 

precarious to pursue. 

Table VII.3 Funding Levels and Obligations for PRAs, as of September 2007 

Funding 

for PRAsa Total Number of 

PRAs Established 

Total Obligations for 

Accounts 

Percent of 

Obligations 

Relative to Funding

Florida $1,485,000 513 $1,539,000 104% 

Hawaii $480,000 211 $633,000 132% 

Idaho $1,779,000 477 $1,431,000 80% 

Minnesota $2,439,000 1,035 $3,105,000 127% 

Mississippi $1,509,000 841 $2,523,000 167% 

Montana $474,000 157 $471,000 99% 

Texas $1,875,000 733 $2,199,000 117% 

West Virginia $588,000 513 $1,539,000 262% 

Total $10,629,000 4,480 $13,440,000 126% 

Source: Calculations based on state quarterly activity and expenditure reports on the PRA demonstration, 

as of September 2007. 

a

 Excludes the portion of the demonstration grant that covered administrative costs. 
 95 

VII: Managing PRAs at the State and Local Level 

2. Remaining PRA Grant Funds 

Despite the efforts in most states to manage the PRA grant by tracking the extent of use 

among established accounts and overobligating funding into new accounts, all the states are 

likely to have funds remaining from their demonstration grants. In total, estimated remaining 

funds could amount to $3.5 million, or nearly one-third of the total original funding for 

accounts (Table VII.4). 

Table VII.4. Estimated PRA Grant Funds Remaining, by Demonstration State 

 

Funding for 

PRAsa

Projected Total 

Expenditures for 

Established 

Accountsb

Actual 

Expenditures, 

as of 

September 

2007 

Projected 

Expenditures to 

End of Grant 

Period 

Projected 

Funds 

Remaining 

Projected 

Percent 

Unexpended

Florida $1,485,000 $1,148,094 $1,100,541 $0 $384,459 26% 

Hawaii $480,000 $193,014 $165,572 $27,442 $286,986 60% 

Idaho $1,779,000 $834,750 $959,370 $0 $944,250 53% 

Minnesota $2,439,000 $1,925,100 $1,781,902 $143,198 $513,900 21% 

Mississippi $1,509,000 $837,636 $647,488 $190,148 $671,364 44% 

Montana $474,000 $232,831 $270,295 $0 $241,169 51% 

Texas $1,875,000 $1,411,758 $1,444,819 $0 $430,181 23% 

West Virginia $588,000 $557,631 $513,663 $43,968 $30,369 5% 

Total $10,629,000 $7,140,814 $6,883,650 $404,756 $3,502,678 33% 

Source: Calculations based on state quarterly activity and expenditure reports on the PRA demonstration, 

as of September 2007. 

a

 Excludes the portion of the demonstration grant that covered administrative costs. 

b

 Total number of established accounts multiplied by the average per recipient expenditure based on 

analysis of individual-level PRA data for all states but Hawaii; Hawaii average per recipient expenditure level 

estimated using data reported in the September 2007 quarterly PRA report.

The nature of PRAs as fully obligated, self-managed accounts with up to a one-year life 

presented a substantial challenge to grant management for the states. Program 

administrators were unaccustomed to the practice of overobligating grant funding to the 

extent that would have been necessary to fully expend the funds, and estimating how many 

accounts were needed in order to spend the full grant was not an exact science. Even in the 

best scenario of consistently tracking and carefully estimating account use, each 

overobligation carried a risk because the eventual outcome was left to the needs and 

preferences of individuals with open accounts, and spending patterns and levels could 

change at any time. 
96 

VII: Managing PRAs at the State and Local Level 

C. KEY LESSONS FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF THE DEMONSTRATION STATES

The PRA demonstration was truly a “learn as you go” endeavor for the participating 

sites and states. The self-managed approach of the PRA and its inherent flexibility meant 

that the demonstration states had to implement a hands-off strategy to reemployment 

services that administrators and staff alike were not used to and for which little policy 

guidance was provided. The initial policy ambiguity was unsettling to the states and 

participating sites, though ultimately they worked through the challenges and, for the most 

part, maintained the intent of “personal” accounts for unemployed workers with few 

limitations. The states were surprised, and at times frustrated, by the level of staff time and 

administrative management that these self-managed accounts required. And, while staff 

perceived a general sense of satisfaction among PRA recipients, staff and administrators in 

most of the states were skeptical that the PRAs improved the timing of reemployment or the 

employability of recipients. Overall, they did not anticipate that the PRA demonstration 

would have any lasting effect on the approach to reemployment services in their states. 

3⁄4 States struggled with the lack of policy and program parameters at the start of the 

demonstration, but achieved a steady state of implementation relatively quickly. 

PRAs were intended to be “self-managed” and therefore, controlled by each recipient, 

not limited by extensive policies and procedures. Broad federal guidance freed the 

demonstration states and sites to determine the appropriate uses of the funds. Yet the reality 

of addressing the range of requests for PRA funds and distinguishing the “reasonable” from 

the “unreasonable” was startling to the demonstration states at times. While every state and 

site thought carefully about developing some basic policy guidelines, it was impossible to 

anticipate the various requests they received. For example, career counselors in the OneStop Career Centers were uneasy, at least initially, in addressing requests for funds that 

included paying utility bills, purchasing prescription medications, fixing a chipped tooth to 

improve one’s appearance for interviews, and printing business cards for networking 

purposes. In the first few months of implementation, the number of policy questions 

spawned by these requests exploded, and “Q&A” documents were developed at the federal 

and, often, at the state level to clarify policies and procedures. 

Ultimately, administrators at the state level and staff at the local level achieved a 

comfort level with the limited policies that governed PRAs and learned to manage within the 

broad flexibility of PRAs. As a result, implementation of the demonstration improved and 

became more routine over time. In the words of one state-level staff person, “PRA threw 

some chaos into the system, but it was relatively short-lived.” Over the course of the 

demonstration, local staff felt they became better at explaining the PRA during orientation 

sessions, and they learned to anticipate recipients’ questions. The local demonstration sites 

also required less assistance from state officials as time went on. After about one year of 

implementation, the states had largely addressed any outstanding issues related to use of the 

accounts and enrollment of eligible individuals. 
 97 

VII: Managing PRAs at the State and Local Level 

3⁄4 States were interested in learning what customer choice would yield and 

successfully implemented PRA as a self-managed account. 

State and local staff in the demonstration states had to adjust to the PRA approach to 

reemployment services that left decisions to the recipient and that limited staff roles in career 

counseling and case management. This was not a practiced or comfortable approach to 

most, but to their credit, they rose to the challenge and generally maintained the highest 

degree of flexibility, choice, and recipient control in use of the accounts. The states generally 

left the allowable uses of the PRAs broad and allowed access to a range of providers and 

programs (beyond eligible provider lists). Local staff did not provide directive counseling 

and did not follow up with recipients to encourage account use. Once the offers were made, 

accounts established, and information on uses provided, PRA recipients were left on their 

own to decide how and when they would use their accounts. 

The one aspect of the account that proved problematic and inconsistent was the pricing 

of intensive services that provided a route for PRA recipients to access one-on-one career 

services from the One-Stop Career Center. A few of the demonstration states did not price 

WIA intensive services for purchase by PRA recipients, because setting accurate prices was 

cost prohibitive from an administrative perspective. Other states set prices but believed that 

they came out too high to be attractive to PRA recipients, in essence limiting access even 

while a price structure was in place. Distinctions between the services considered core and 

those considered intensive varied across the states that did price services; PRA recipients in 

one state could receive a service for “free” (for example, development of an Individual 

Employment Plan or a resume) while the same service in another state required payment 

from the PRA. Whether states (or sites) priced intensive services or not, there was general 

discomfort among staff about restricting free access to these services. 

3⁄4 States found that implementing a strategy focused on customer choice still took a 

substantial amount of staff time and administrative management. 

While the states adopted hands-off service approaches true to the intent of PRAs, they 

found that two aspects of the accounts took more time and resources to manage than 

expected. First, the extensive use of supportive services in a number of the states 

overwhelmed staff, who felt besieged by calls, emails, or office visits from PRA recipients 

seeking to withdraw funds. In general, staff reported that PRA recipients who used the 

account to purchase supportive services tended to make many small requests (which take 

more time to process than two bonus payments) and that these recipients often called to get 

requests approved before submitting them and to track the progress of disbursements. A 

few of the sites refined implementation to handle the volume of requests more efficiently 

using approaches such as: (1) restricting “face-time” with staff and encouraging recipients to 

submit questions by email; (2) requiring PRA recipients to bundle all supportive service 

requests into one monthly submission; (3) designating specific days and times when requests 

could be made; and, (4) creating a web-based tracking system for recipients to check the 
98 

VII: Managing PRAs at the State and Local Level 

status of a supportive service request and track their account balance.29 While many sites 

developed ways to streamline the process, the staff time necessary to address questions 

about and manage the paperwork generated by supportive service requests was a continuing 

concern throughout the demonstration period. 

Second, the “personal” component of the PRAs that required that they be obligated in 

full to an individual for up to one year was challenging to balance against the interest in 

spending the full demonstration grant. If account spending had been high and consistent 

across account holders, the time and resource issues around state- and local-level account 

management might have been minimized. But in the face of substantial levels of account 

inactivity, the demonstration states needed to increase the number of accounts established in 

order to spend down grant funds (as discussed in the previous section). This effort became 

more time-consuming than expected at both the state and local levels. At the state level, 

administrators had to continually estimate the number of new offers that had to be made 

and decide how much they were willing to overobligate grant funds at any given time. At the 

local level, staff had to conduct more orientations to make new offers and spend additional 

time establishing a larger number of accounts than initially planned. As a result, the offer 

and enrollment process continued longer into the demonstration period than program 

administrators and staff had initially expected. 

3⁄4 States believe there may be value in customer-choice strategies, but ultimately 

they were not enthusiastic overall about their experience with PRAs. 

The states entered into the PRA demonstration with an open mind and followed 

through with an open approach. About one year into the demonstration, administrators and 

staff expressed concerns about the substantial use of the accounts to purchase supportive 

services, but still maintained enthusiasm for the employment bonuses and the possibilities 

that self-managed accounts could hold. However, as the demonstration comes to a close, 

the states are less convinced that the flexibility of the PRA approach holds promise for 

preparing unemployed workers for their next career. 

It is the specific design of the PRA, however, that proved problematic from the 

perspective of the demonstration states, rather than the self-managed nature of the accounts. 

The states believed that the structure of the PRAs sent mixed messages for implementation 

and for use of the accounts. The bonuses suggested an emphasis on quick reemployment, 

while the initial language around the purchase of services was focused on retraining 

unemployed workers for high growth industries. In practice, there was general agreement 

among the states that the $3,000 accounts were not substantial enough to support training 

and compete with ITAs. This essentially removed any consideration of the PRAs for use to 

purchase training (by staff, by recipients, or some combination of the two). 

 29 Most of these methods were developed and adopted by the demonstration sites in either Florida or 

Texas. Chapter IV of the interim evaluation report (Kirby 2006) includes a discussion about the type and 

frequency of contact between PRA recipients and One Stop Career Center staff. 
 99 

VII: Managing PRAs at the State and Local Level 

As a result, recipients became focused on earning the bonuses and/or purchasing 

supportive services. Administrators and staff had no qualms about the bonuses, which they 

perceived as rewarding those who returned to work. They were uncomfortable with the 

substantial use of the accounts to purchase supportive services because they questioned 

whether this use coincided with the goal of building recipients’ skills. To staff, use of the 

account to purchase supportive services seemed to place a focus on current expenses or 

short-term needs rather than on longer-term employability skills and prospects. Staff would 

have preferred to spend time assisting recipients in thinking through their reemployment 

approaches rather than processing supportive service requests. 

State administrators and program staff agreed that some people do not need assistance 

in getting back to work and can surely benefit from a hands-off approach; others, however, 

need additional guidance. The trick is figuring out who falls into each category. They 

suggest that the way to do this effectively is to provide some upfront triage by working with 

individuals to develop reemployment plans that meet their skills, interests, and needs. Or, 

develop another way to target flexible accounts to individuals in need of employment 

services and training. Upon reflection, state administrators suggested that UI recipients 

identified as likely to exhaust their benefits may not be the right population for accounts 

intended to help unemployed workers build skills and find jobs. They perceive this group to 

be long-term workers with narrow skill sets who are likely to want to find jobs that are 

similar to their former ones. With this in mind, administrators understood why many PRA 

recipients took advantage of the financial flexibility offered by PRAs to meet basic needs 

while they searched for work and did not pursue training. 

Based on their experience and as currently structured, the demonstration states could 

not wholly recommend PRAs as a worthy approach to pursue in reemployment services. 

Nonetheless, they continue to be open to the broader concept of self-managed accounts, 

and particularly those that would focus specifically on training and employment services 

rather than on supportive services. 

C HAPTER VIII 

F INDINGS AND I MPLICATIONS B ASED 

ON THE PRA E XPERIENCE

he seven original PRA demonstration states assumed responsibility for testing the 

PRAs and the concept of self-managed accounts within the workforce investment 

system. Much has been learned from the states’ experiences in implementing these 

accounts, and from the responses of individual account recipients. The evaluation explored 

the PRA administrative and delivery structures, the policy decisions made by program 

administrators, and implementation details. It also gathered information from focus groups, 

and from the quantitative analysis, to elucidate how recipients respond to these accounts—at 

what rate they accept them, for what purposes they use them, and to what extent. This 

chapter summarizes the findings from the implementation study, the focus group study, and 

the data analysis, by discussing what has been learned about the uses of the PRA, the 

patterns in use or nonuse, and the overall messages. The chapter concludes with a 

discussion of the structure of the PRA, as well as potential considerations for similarly 

structured self-managed accounts. 

A. FINDINGS ABOUT THE USES OF THE PRA 

The PRA has a number of potential uses, and provides recipients with flexibility and 

choice in determining the ways in which they wish to spend their accounts. This section 

summarizes evaluation findings about how recipients have used their accounts, and discusses 

the potential contributing factors as to why and how these decisions were made. 

Training. All of the information now available indicates that PRAs often are not 

considered as a route for training, particularly training of any substantial duration (beyond a 

few days or weeks). The initial factor in this equation is the PRA offer decision itself. 

Findings from the implementation and focus group studies, as well as this current data 

analysis, all point toward an interest in training as one of the primary reasons not to accept 

the PRA. 

T
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VIII: Findings and Implications Based on the PRA Experience 

The implementation study found that, at all but a few sites, the PRA and ITA often are 

not viewed by staff as comparable options, nor are they presented as such to eligible 

individuals. Individuals who express interest in long-term training and education are almost 

always encouraged to get the full information about the ITA before making a decision to 

accept the PRA offer—as well they should be, if they are to make an informed decision. 

These individuals may then pursue the ITA route and simply never respond to the PRA 

offer. Individuals in the focus groups also indicated that the PRA/ITA decision seemed 

clear-cut. Rather than viewing PRA and ITA as different ways to receive similar services, 

respondents viewed them as programs that serve distinct purposes (often because of the way 

each program was presented by staff)—for training, go with ITA; for other services, go with 

PRA. 

While the intent of PRAs may be to provide a flexible alternative to the ITA, featuring 

easier and faster access and limited to no restrictions on training programs or providers, in 

reality it seems that flexibility does not outweigh the potential for greater financial support. 

Individuals interested in long-term training who receive the PRA offer, and the staff who 

come into initial contact with them, seem to make a tangible decision between different 

levels of financial assistance, rather than an esoteric decision between different service 

approaches. 

The data analysis found that those who declined the PRA have less education, in 

general, than those who accept the offer, suggesting that an interest in training is possible. 

The data are not available to confirm that decliners do, in fact, pursue training. However, 

the UI and employment trends of decliners, compared with PRA recipients, suggest that this 

may be so. Specifically, on average, decliners receive UI benefits longer than PRA recipients, 

and are more likely to run the full course of their benefit periods. (Individuals can continue 

to receive UI benefits while they are enrolled in an approved training program, such as an 

ITA-funded program.) 

Combined, these findings explain the overall low level of use of the PRA to purchase 

training. To the extent that training purchases do occur, they follow a relatively predictable 

pattern. Early predictions presumed that those individuals already interested in pursuing 

training would do so immediately, while those who “save” the funds for the bonus and then 

do not qualify, might consider training (Perez-Johnson and Decker 2003). Training 

purchases made with the PRA tend to be made by the “other user” group who purchase 

training early, within the bonus qualification period. The initial nonusers, who first save 

PRA funds, presumably to earn the bonus, become the only group with any noticeable level 

of training purchases after the bonus qualification period has passed. 

Intensive Services. For state program administrators and demonstration site staff, 

limiting “free” access to individual career counseling and specialized job search services, and 

pricing these services for purchase by PRA recipients presents a particularly challenging 

aspect of the accounts. State administrators have struggled to develop pricing structures for 

services. Some developed prices, but thought they would be too costly to be attractive to 

PRA recipients; some initiated a process to determine prices, but abandoned the process 

when it became too costly—from an administrative standpoint—to complete or implement 
 103 

 VIII: Findings and Implications Based on the PRA Experience 

because of challenges in tracking services and “collecting” payment. Still others opted not to 

set prices, and simply allow PRA recipients to purchase equivalent services from providers 

outside of the One-Stop Career Center system. 

Again, in line with early predictions, there has been an almost imperceptible amount of 

intensive service purchases made with PRA funds. The ITA Experiment found that 

customers who did not have to meet counseling requirements to access training (most 

similar to the PRA approach), rarely pursued counseling voluntarily (Perez-Johnson et al. 

2004). The intensive service purchases made by PRA recipients occur exclusively during the 

bonus qualification period, presumably when recipients are seeking employment most 

actively. 

What is unclear, however, is the degree to which PRA recipients make conscious 

decisions not to purchase intensive services, rather than simply not being aware of either 

their availability, or of the ways such services could be helpful. Two findings help to 

illuminate this issue. First, PRA recipients at two demonstration sites in Florida have been 

made specifically aware of the intensive services packages for purchase, and a substantial 

portion of recipients at these sites have purchased these services. At all of the other 

demonstration sites, the availability of intensive services has been mentioned briefly during 

PRA orientations, but it is not always made clear what these services are, or how to receive 

them. Second, discussions with focus group respondents revealed that most of them were 

unfamiliar with the One-Stop Career Centers at the time of PRA entry. In many cases, 

respondents were experiencing unemployment for the first time, or for the first time in many 

years. In these circumstances, individuals had no reason for previous exposure to these 

centers. There were respondents in virtually every focus group who, upon enrollment in the 

PRA, made use of the core services at the One-Stop Career Centers, suggesting that the 

orientation and/or involvement with the PRA successfully introduced individuals to service 

opportunities they might not have known about otherwise. The same is likely to hold true 

about intensive services. Participants’ low levels of purchase of intensive services may 

simply be due to the fact that it is difficult to make a decision about something you know 

very little about. 

Supportive Services. PRAs were designed by ETA to be as broad and flexible as 

possible, to give unemployed workers the opportunity to structure their own reemployment 

plans, and to provide the resources that would help them to do so. For the most part, the 

states followed suit and gave PRA recipients close to free rein in purchasing services to 

support their reemployment efforts. At first, the “signing off” on supportive service 

requests was a struggle for staff and state administrators alike, because of the subjective 

nature of assessing the ties between some purchases and their roles in supporting a job 

search. Ultimately, a broad range of supportive service purchases were deemed allowable in 

five of the seven states. 

There are two distinct and equally common strategies that have evolved among PRA 

recipients who use their accounts primarily to purchase supportive services. First, the 

supportive service-focused users start spending funds—and at high levels—to purchase 

services during the bonus qualification period. Second, initial nonusers save their PRA 
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VIII: Findings and Implications Based on the PRA Experience 

funds until the bonus qualification period ends, and then spend a substantial portion of their 

accounts on supportive services. 

Overall, the purchase of supportive services is the primary use of PRA accounts (just 

over half among all users and all recipients); the bonuses comprise the largest share of 

account disbursements in the early period, but the balance tips heavily toward supportive 

services after the bonus qualification period ends. Supportive service purchases comprise 

the majority of PRA disbursements for all but the bonus-earner group. 

While recipients certainly seem to appreciate the supportive services aspect of the PRA 

(based on staff reports and focus groups with recipients), program staff have had some 

difficulty in reconciling the extensive use of supportive services with their mission to help 

workers build skills and improve their employability prospects. They question the value of 

focusing resources on short-term needs, rather than long-term career planning. Staff feel 

that the time it takes them to respond to questions, and approve and process multiple 

supportive service requests could be put to better use. 

Bonuses. The bonuses clearly are an attractive feature to many individuals who are 

offered the PRA. The composition of the user groups suggests that the majority of PRA 

recipients have their sights set on the bonus from the start—one-third are bonus-focused 

users who receive the bonus (bonus-earners), and an additional 19 percent are initial 

nonusers who start spending PRA funds only after not qualifying for a bonus. All of these 

PRA recipients spend little or nothing on services during the bonus qualification period, so 

as to maximize the bonus they can earn. As a result, there is not much “mixing” of uses of 

the PRA between bonus receipt and service purchases; bonus earners primarily receive only 

the bonus, while the initial nonusers typically never earn the bonus, and mainly purchase 

services. (The supportive service-focused users and “other users” show some mixing but 

earn such small bonuses on average.) 

Overall, 31 percent of all PRA recipients receive the reemployment entry (first) bonus, 

and two out of every three recipients who earn the first bonus also earn the second. PRA 

recipients who are bonus-earners have the highest rate of full use of the $3,000 (account 

exhaust), and on average disburse 90 percent of their funds. The three states with the 

highest bonus receipt rates are those in which recipients are most “keyed” into the bonus 

because the other options in PRA use are limited (Mississippi and West Virginia), or because 

they understand best how to earn it through contact with staff (Florida). 

On average, bonus recipients tend to be younger and are less educated than those who 

do not receive the bonus. The focus group study found that respondents assessed their 

prospects of getting a job quickly so as to determine whether to “save” for the bonus or not. 

Older respondents with mid- to high-level positions in their previous jobs and many years of 

experience were fairly certain that they would not find a job during the bonus qualification 

period. For these people, the amount offered by the bonuses was not substantial enough to 

cause them to change their job search strategies or accelerate their efforts. They were eager 

to get a job, but usually were searching for a job in their field or at their professional level, 

which could take time to secure. 
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 VIII: Findings and Implications Based on the PRA Experience 

The financial incentive of the bonus may have spurred quick employment for some, 

however. The experience of focus group respondents in Mississippi suggests that the type 

of response the bonus elicits may depend partly on the financial status of the account 

holders. Numerous respondents in Mississippi (across both the bonus and nonuser groups) 

reported that the amount of the bonus was a compelling incentive to find any job quickly. 

These respondents, who were less educated and had lower earnings on average than 

respondents in other sites, stated that they took jobs that ordinarily would not have satisfied 

them, just to earn the bonus. 

Idaho and Texas provide some additional but limited information on the financial 

incentive for quick employment entry. These states lower the bonus cap to $2,000 after the 

8th and 10th weeks of UI receipt, respectively. PRA recipients who earn the bonus do enter 

employment more quickly in these states than in all of the other states combined. It is likely 

that the higher bonus amount is attractive, but it also is possible that, rather than prompting 

quicker employment entry, it simply affects who claims the bonus. The decrease to a $2,000 

bonus ceiling in the later part of the qualification period, while the PRA amount remains at 

$3,000, could decrease interest in access to the bonus in favor of service uses for the 

account; those recipients who do not qualify for the full $3,000 bonus simply may become 

service purchasers instead. 

The data available suggest that this is a likely scenario. Idaho and Texas (also 

Minnesota, which has a different, but graduated bonus scale) are at the lower end of bonus 

receipt rates among the states. Also, Idaho has the lowest percentage of PRA recipients who 

earn the bonus and receive 13 weeks of UI receipt or less (i.e., those potentially eligible for 

the bonus, assuming UI exit is due to employment). The rate in Texas is 65 percent, which 

is mid-range among the seven states. The latter data suggest that substantial portions (35 to 

40 percent) of those who are potentially eligible for the bonus do not seek it in these two 

states. 

B. FINDINGS ABOUT THE PATTERNS IN ACCOUNT USE 

Findings from the different components of the evaluation suggest that personal 

circumstances and employment prospects may influence the type of PRA use (bonus receipt 

or service purchase), but that programmatic factors and knowledge about program rules 

influence the extent of account use. Respondents in the focus groups discussed their PRA 

acceptance and use decisions as being very intertwined; they seemed to use the same factors 

to decide whether they would accept at the time of the offer and, if so, how they would use 

the account. This decision was based primarily on their employment prospects and, in turn, 

their ability to qualify for the bonus. Respondents who were most confident that they would 

find a job quickly accepted the offer and saved their account so that they could receive the 

full bonus. Supportive service-focused users typically were respondents who did not think 

they would qualify for the bonus, and so accepted the offer and started purchasing services 

from the start. Nonusers probably accepted the offer with the intent of earning the bonus, 

but did not qualify for it. The data analysis found that, indeed, bonus-earners and complete 

nonusers share similar characteristics and supportive service-focused and “other” users are 
106 

VIII: Findings and Implications Based on the PRA Experience 

also similar. Initial nonusers are distinctive as a group with the highest level of education 

and prior earnings. 

State PRA policies and implementation do appear to influence the extent of account 

use; that is, how much of the $3,000 the recipients spend, and how many recipients never 

use the account at all (become nonusers). It is clear that in the states with restrictive 

supportive service purchase policies, there is lower overall use of the PRAs, compared to the 

other states. While the recipients who do use the PRA in West Virginia and Mississippi tend 

to use their accounts in full, the majority of recipients in these states never use them at all. 

As a result, average per-recipient disbursements amount to only $1,087 in West Virginia and 

$996 in Mississippi. 

Focus group respondents also discussed the lack of information, staff’s negative 

attitudes and lack of knowledge, and the reimbursement-only policy for service purchases (in 

some states) as reasons for less than full or total lack of PRA use. While it is not possible to 

assess the influence of these factors with certainty, some usage patterns seen across the 

states through the data analysis appear to agree with these reports. For example, the 

majority of the focus group nonusers were individuals who accepted the PRA offer with the 

intent of receiving the bonus. When they did not earn it, they let the account languish, often 

because they did not understand or remember that there were other ways in which the funds 

could be used. Because PRAs are self-managed, it is not the responsibility of program staff 

to follow up with nonusers and remind them about how to use the account. Nevertheless, 

some of the confusion may relate to the lack of breadth and quality of the information 

provided during the initial PRA orientation or the inattention that recipients give to the 

information. 

All that can be surmised from patterns in the data is that Florida has by far the lowest 

complete nonuse of the PRA—at 8 percent—and is the only state in which recipients were 

“required” to maintain monthly contact with program staff. Given the workload of program 

staff, and the lack of any real consequences for PRA recipients associated with a lack of 

contact, it is unlikely that contact actually occurred consistently in Florida. To the extent it 

did happen, this ongoing contact may have reinforced account use. In addition, two 

demonstration sites in Florida provided intensive services to substantial portions of PRA 

recipients, again offering opportunities to talk about the PRA and its range of uses. 

Finally, the method of payment for service transactions also could contribute to the 

levels of use or nonuse. For example, a few focus group respondents in Idaho did not use 

the PRA, or did so only minimally, because they could not make the initial cash outlay for 

certain expensive items to support their job searches (examples included a computer and 

reading glasses). Idaho has one of the highest percentages of “other users”: the user group 

that makes the least use of the PRA, on average. 

The average per-recipient disbursement of all PRA recipients across the seven 

demonstration states is $1,757 of the total $3,000. Ultimately, the patterns of PRA use in 

each state depend on the types of users—how recipients initially fall into the different 

categories of bonus-earner, supportive service-focused, other user, and initial nonuser—and 

the proportion of complete nonusers. Overall, PRA use is highest in Florida ($2,238), just 
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 VIII: Findings and Implications Based on the PRA Experience 

under $2,000 in Idaho, Minnesota, and Texas, and lowest in Mississippi, West Virginia, and 

Montana (under $1,500). 

C. THE MESSAGE AND OUTCOMES OF THE PRA 

The PRA originally was intended to provide unemployed workers with a flexible means 

of support in their reemployment efforts. Given its different components, however—the 

lump-sum bonus payments and the ability to purchase services—the PRA may have sent 

some mixed messages. From the perspectives of state administrators and staff, the message 

of the PRA has been mixed between that of quick reemployment (through the bonus) and 

building job skills (the ability to choose between the PRA and the ITA to purchase training). 

In practice, the ITA seemed to be the preferred route for training, due either to staff 

preferences, individual customer preferences, or some combination of the two. 

Another issue is the contribution that the PRA may make to speeding reemployment, 

shortening the length of UI receipt, and promoting job retention. Only an impact evaluation 

can assess the effectiveness of the PRA. In the absence of such a design, the PRA 

demonstration evaluation cannot evaluate PRA’s contributions with certainty.30 This 

outcomes study found that in the first quarter after PRA entry, half of all PRA recipients are 

employed and this rate increases only slightly by the third quarter. However, UI receipt 

patterns and employment rates are quite different across different groups of PRA recipients. 

For example, bonus-earners enter employment quickly and have employment rates in each 

of the three follow-up quarters that are significantly higher than all other groups of PRA 

recipients. They are also most likely to be employed consistently (in two and three 

consecutive quarters). Just about half of all supportive service-focused and “other” users 

receive their full UI benefits and have similar employment rates (of 62 and 63 percent) in the 

first quarter after PRA entry. Supportive service-focused users make the greatest gains in 

earnings over the full follow-up period, fully achieving the median level of earnings they 

received prior to PRA entry. Complete nonusers and initial nonusers are most likely to 

receive their full UI benefits and have the lowest employment rates in each follow-up 

quarter. But as initial nonusers have higher education and earnings prior to PRA entry they 

may be holding out for the right job, while complete nonusers may struggle to gain 

employment. 

Findings from the focus group study suggest that many PRA recipients value the longterm objective of finding the right job in whatever timeframe it may take over taking any job 

just to earn the PRA reemployment bonus. With very few exceptions, all of the focus group 

respondents were eager to get back to work at the time they received the PRA. Respondents 

 30 The research team, in combination with ETA, explored the possibility of using a nonexperimental 

regression discontinuity design to produce preliminary impact estimates of the effect of PRAs on employment 

and UI outcomes in Texas. However, the sample size in Texas (or even a combination of states) is insufficient 

to detect impacts under this design unless they are very large. A propensity score matching design was 

explored as an alternative, but this design is more susceptible to producing biased estimates and was not 

pursued because the cost of such an approach was prohibitive in relation to the information it could produce. 
108 

VIII: Findings and Implications Based on the PRA Experience 

as a whole were dedicated to their job search at the time of the PRA offer, but they were 

motivated in different ways—some could not afford to be out of work for long, while others 

wanted to ensure that they found a new job in line with their experience, interests, and goals. 

As a result, the PRA bonus functioned differently for different respondents, depending on 

their financial situation at the time of the offer. Most respondents valued finding the right 

job more than receiving the bonus, and did not alter their job search in response to it. 

Respondents in Mississippi, however, were very focused on trying to earn the $3,000 in 

bonuses, because they needed the additional financial resources. 

Most other respondents in the supportive service and nonuser focus groups also would 

not assign a timeframe for their job search because finding the right job was a higher priority 

for them than receiving the bonus. For example, a number of focus group respondents with 

higher levels of education felt strongly that it would take about six months to find a job that 

would fit their interests, experience, educational background, and salary expectations. The 

$3,000 bonus provided little incentive for them; they thought a focus on the bonus would be 

short-sighted. For some respondents in the supportive service groups, and the majority of 

respondents in the nonuser groups, the bonus provided a no-risk financial incentive to do 

what they were going to do anyway—look for a job as diligently as they could. 

D. THE STRUCTURE OF PRAS AND CONSIDERATIONS FOR SELF-MANAGED ACCOUNTS

The experiences of the demonstration states, program staff, and PRA recipients, as 

gathered through the evaluation, suggest some considerations about PRAs specifically, and 

self-managed accounts in general. 

Purposes of the Account. The broad purposes of the account give recipients a great 

deal of flexibility in supporting their reemployment efforts. However, state administrators 

and program staff feel that the bonus and service purchase components send mixed 

messages and serve different purposes. Reemployment accounts, such as Career 

Advancement Accounts (CAAs), which focus on employment services and training, may be 

a model better suited to the goals and delivery structure of the workforce investment system. 

Target Population. The PRA targets UI claimants identified as likely to exhaust their 

benefits. Quickening their reemployment and producing larger average reductions in UI 

benefit payments, would increase the cost-effectiveness of the bonus offers (Decker and 

Perez-Johnson 2004). However, little was known about the characteristics of this targeted 

population at the start of the PRA demonstration. The evaluation found that the majority of 

PRA recipients are between the ages of 35 and 54, have a high school diploma but less than 

a college degree, and were full-time, consistent workers prior to PRA entry. PRA recipients 

in focus groups generally valued finding the right job in whatever timeframe is needed and 

did not change their job search strategy or accelerate their efforts to find employment in 

order to earn the bonus. For many, the $3,000 bonus provided little incentive; they thought 

a focus on the bonus indicated short-term thinking. However, the focus groups also 

suggested that some recipients with less financial stability might focus on the lump sum 

payment of the bonus, possibly with the unintended effect of taking a lesser quality job than 

they might pursue in the absence of the bonus. If bonus incentives are pursued through the 
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 VIII: Findings and Implications Based on the PRA Experience 

continuation of the PRA, or in another form, consideration might be given to the 

characteristics of the target population and the types of responses the incentives might elicit. 

Account Amount. Setting the right amount for a reemployment account may be a 

function of its purpose. As noted above, the $3,000, while generous for some, was not 

enough of an incentive for many in the context of long-term career interests and goals. The 

$3,000 was similarly “low” in comparison with the amount of potential support offered 

through an ITA for which individuals could qualify to assist with training costs. The 

decision to go with the PRA or pursue an ITA for training seems to come down to a choice 

between amounts offered—with the ITA winning out on most occasions. CAAs are also set 

at $3,000, with the potential for renewal of another $3,000, but in a second year. The early 

CAA demonstration states already have struggled with the amount of training that can be 

purchased with $3,000 per year (Rosenberg, forthcoming). 

Career Counseling. The PRA experience does not provide any clear findings about 

the role of career counseling in reemployment efforts. PRAs are fully self-managed, and few 

recipients choose to use the funds to purchase intensive career counseling and job search 

assistance. As previously discussed, this may or may not be a fully informed decision. There 

is no way to assess, through this evaluation, how the outcomes of PRA recipients may be 

different given some upfront development of career plans and associated strategies for using 

the accounts. From an implementation perspective, program staff are left unsatisfied with 

the PRAs because their role is to process paperwork, rather than provide career guidance. 

To the extent that customer-choice strategies are pursued further, some consideration might 

be given to the type of staff members best suited to administer them. 

Length of Accounts. One of the distinctive facets of the PRAs is that they are 

obligated in full to recipients at the time of entry. PRA recipients have the $3,000 at their 

disposal for up to one year. This method of assigning funds to an individual for this period 

of time is difficult for states to manage administratively. In addition to the length of time 

given for the obligation, the additional responsibility of trying to spend down the full PRA 

grant in a limited timeframe becomes a financial juggling task. While two states have elected 

to close PRAs early if they show nonuse, the other five want to ensure that individuals have 

access to the funds for the full intended timeframe. The analysis has shown that among all 

PRA users, the last disbursement from the account is made, on average, within the first four 

and a half months of the account. Even among the initial nonusers—the group that can be 

expected to most delay using their PRAs—the last disbursement is made in the sixth month. 

These data suggest that the one-year length may not be necessary, particularly if an account 

is focused on quick reemployment. 

E. CONCLUSION

The PRA is a unique strategy in reemployment services, intended to put unemployed 

workers in control of their career planning and job search efforts, and to provide them with 

an incentive and/or financial support to purchase services to get back to work quickly. The 

original seven demonstration states are pioneers in implementing an untested strategy, and 

have been willing to address the challenges and smooth out the process as they went along. 
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VIII: Findings and Implications Based on the PRA Experience 

PRAs have been well-implemented by the states, in that the states stayed true to the selfmanaged nature of the accounts and generally have maintained a great deal of flexibility in 

the ways that PRA recipients could put them to use. Recipients responded by using the 

PRAs in various ways and to different degrees. 

While the outcomes of recipients with regard to duration of UI receipt and employment 

and earnings have been examined, the key question of the effectiveness of PRAs in speeding 

reemployment and shortening UI receipt has not been answered. It also cannot be assessed 

how individuals might have responded to the PRA, particularly with regard to training 

purchases, in the absence of the ITA alternative. The final step in assessing PRAs fully 

would be a rigorous experiment, particularly one that would test the self-managed nature of 

the accounts rather than (or in addition to) the amount available for training. 

Nonetheless, the PRA demonstration evaluation has gathered findings from an 

implementation study, a focus group study, and a quantitative analysis to explore responses 

to the PRA on the part of state administrators, program staff, and, most importantly, 

individual recipients. Combined, this information provides a rich understanding of the 

implementation of and responses to these self-managed reemployment accounts. 

The next generation of self-managed accounts—the Career Advancement Accounts—

are now being implemented in eight demonstration states, and will further the experience 

with and knowledge of this type of strategy in serving customers within the workforce 

investment system. 
R EFERENCES

D’Amico, Ronald, Alexandra Martinez, Jeffrey Salzman, and Robin Wagner. “An 

Evaluation of the Individual Training Account/Eligible Training Provider 

Demonstration.” Oakland, CA: Social Policy Research Associates, August 2001. 

Decker, Paul T., and Irma Perez-Johnson. “What Can We Expect Under Personal 

Reemployment Accounts? Predictions and Procedures.” ETA Occasional Paper 2004-

04. Washington, DC: Mathematica Policy Research, Inc., and U.S. Department of 

Labor, January 2004. 

Dickinson, Katherine P., Suzanne D. Kreutzer, Richard W. West, and Paul T. Decker. 

“Evaluation of Worker Profiling and Reemployment Services: Final Report.” Research 

and Evaluation Report Series 99-D. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Labor, 

1999. 

EBRI Notes. “Employee Tenure, 2006.” Washington, DC: Employee Benefit Research 

Institute. April 2007, Vo. 28, No. 4. 

Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S. Department of Labor. “Personal 

Reemployment Accounts–Questions and Answers.” Washington, DC: DOL, February 

2003. Available at [www.doleta.gov/reemployment/final_qa.cfm]. 

Kirby, Gretchen. “Implementing Personal Reemployment Accounts (PRAs): Early 

Experiences of the Seven Demonstration States. Interim Evaluation Report.” Final 

report submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training 

Administration. Washington, DC: Mathematica Policy Research, Inc., September 2006. 

Max, Jeffrey, Gretchen Kirby, and Margaret Sullivan. “Implementing Personal 

Reemployment Accounts (PRAs): An Update on the Experiences of Eight 

Demonstration States.” Submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and 

Training Administration. Washington, DC: Mathematica Policy Research, Inc., 

October 2007. 

O’Leary, Christopher J., and Randall W. Eberts. “Personal Reemployment Accounts: 

Simulations for Planning Implementation.” ETA Occasional Paper 2004-08. 
112 

References 

Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Labor; Kalamazoo, MI: W.E. Upjohn Institute 

for Employment Research, May 2004. 

Perez-Johnson, Irma, and Paul T. Decker. “What Can We Expect Under Personal 

Reemployment Accounts? A Discussion Based on Preliminary Analysis of Data from 

the ITA Experiment.” Princeton, NJ: Mathematica Policy Research, Inc., October 

2003. 

Perez-Johnson, Irma, Sheena McConnell, Paul Decker, Jean Bellotti, Jeffrey Salzman, and 

Jessica Pearlman. “The Effects of Customer Choice: First Findings from the 

Individual Training Account Experiment.” ETA Occasional Paper 2005-03. 

Washington, DC: Mathematica Policy Research, Inc., and U.S. Department of Labor, 

March 2005. 

Rosenberg, Linda, Karen Needels, Tim Silman, and Sheena McConnell. “An Early Glimpse 

of the Career Advancement Account (CAA) Demonstration in Four States.” Final 

report submitted to U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training 

Administration. Washington, DC: Mathematica Policy Research, Inc, September 2007. 

Sullivan, Jr., William F., Lester Coffey, Lisa Kolovich, Charles McGlew, Douglas Sanford, 

and Richard Sullivan. “Worker Profiling and Reemployment Services Evaluation of 

State Workers Profiling Models. Final Report. Bethesdam MD: Coffey 

Communications, LLC, March 2007. 

Woodbury, Stephen A., and Robert G. Speigelman. “Bonuses to Workers and Employers to 

Reduce Unemployment: Randomized Trials in Illinois.” American Economic Review, vol.

77, no. 4, 1987, p. 513-530. 

U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. “2005-2007 

Comparison of State Unemployment Insurance Laws. Available at 

[http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/unemploy/uilawcompar/2007/comparison2007. 

asp]. Accessed January 14, 2008. 
A PPENDIX A 

S UMMARY OF K EY F INDINGS FROM THE 

F OCUS G ROUP S TUDY

ersonal Reemployment Accounts (PRAs) are flexible accounts of $3,000 designed to 

assist and support select claimants of Unemployment Insurance (UI) in returning to 

work. They represent a unique combination of a reemployment bonus and an 

individually managed account to purchase intensive, training, and supportive services, 

targeted to claimants who are likely to exhaust their UI benefits. Claimants can choose how 

and when to spend funds from their account to purchase reemployment services. 

Early findings from an implementation study for the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) 

of a PRA pilot demonstration project in seven states highlighted that few PRA recipients 

used the account to purchase services and receive a bonus and that some PRA recipients did 

not use their account at all. To learn more about these patterns, DOL’s Employment and 

Training Administration (ETA) requested a focus group study to examine how UI claimants 

respond to the structure and incentives of the PRA. 

FOCUS GROUP STUDY METHODOLOGY

For this study, focus groups were conducted with four types of PRA claimants: (1) 

participants who primarily used the PRA to purchase supportive services (at least $1,200 of 

the $3,000 account), (2) those who received a reemployment bonus and had minimal service 

purchases (less than $600 spent on services), (3) those who accepted the PRA offer but 

made minimal or no use of the account (less than $600), and (4) those who declined the 

offer completely. 

A total of ten focus groups were conducted in four PRA demonstration states in 

September and October 2007 with a purposefully selected sample of PRA users and nonusers (as shown in Table ES.1).1

 Overall, 82 individuals participated in the groups, ranging 

 1 Using each state’s PRA data, individuals were selected for participation in a focus group based on their 

PRA decisions (acceptance and/or spending patterns) within a specified timeframe, rather than a random 

sample over the course of the evaluation. 

P
A-2 

Appendix A 

in size from 4 to 11 participants per group. In total, the attendance rate was 18 percent 

among those invited (450 invitees), and 71 percent among those who indicated that they 

would come (116 confirmed attendees). 

Table ES.1. Type of Focus Groups, by State 

State 

Supportive 

Service-Focused 

Recipients 

Bonus-Focused 

Recipients Nonusers Decliners 

Idaho √ √

Combined group 

Minnesota √ √ √ √

Mississippi √ √ 

Texas √ √ 

CHARACTERISTICS OF FOCUS GROUP RESPONDENTS

The majority of all focus group respondents were individuals who are married, between 

the ages of 41 to 55 years, and are non-Hispanic whites. Respondents were fairly evenly split 

between men and women. The majority of focus group respondents are currently working 

and are consistent workers, reporting that they have spent at least four of the last five years 

working and, on average, have had less than three job changes. Of those not currently 

working, the majority was laid off from their jobs within the last year. Most respondents are 

full-time workers who reported working, on average, more than 40 hours per week. While 

the majority of respondents reported their own rate of pay as under $30,000 per year, their 

total household income, in most cases, exceeded $30,000 in the past year. 

INITIAL REACTIONS TO THE PRA 

The majority of focus group respondents were long-term and consistent workers who 

have spent little time unemployed. For many, the loss of their job at the time of the PRA 

offer was emotionally as well as financially destabilizing. Older respondents, in particular, 

were concerned about their attractiveness to potential employers and their ability to compete 

for jobs, even with strong skills and extensive work experience. It is within this context that 

respondents were introduced to the concept of the PRA, and often, to the services of the 

One-Stop Career Centers in general. Many were initially skeptical of the PRA offer but 

remained willing to give it a try. 

Key Findings: 

3⁄4 Many respondents recalled being initially confused by and, often, suspicious of 

the PRA offer. 

3⁄4 Account “users” (bonus recipients and supportive-service purchasers) perceived 

the PRA more favorably from the start than nonusers or decliners. 
 A-3 

 Appendix A 

FACTORS IN THE PRA OFFER DECISION

The focus group discussions provided a view into the key factors that individuals 

considered in making a decision to accept or decline the PRA offer. These include 

individuals’ perceived need for training, the enticement of the bonus, and the absence of any 

risk involved in accepting the offer. With regard to the latter, focus group respondents often 

found no compelling reason not to accept the offer over WIA services. Ultimately, most of 

the individuals in the focus groups accepted the PRA offer and did so with a focus primarily 

on the bonus, but also with the thought that there was little risk or sacrifice involved. 

Key Findings: 

3⁄4 Respondents who were interested in long-term training did not pursue the PRA, 

often due to staff direction. 

3⁄4 Many respondents reacted positively to the PRA with their sights set on 

qualifying for the bonus. 

3⁄4 Respondents who were not confident they would qualify for the bonus perceived 

little risk in accepting the PRA over WIA services. 

3⁄4 Most of the supportive-service “users” accepted the account with the specific 

purpose of supporting their job search. 

3⁄4 PRA decisions were rarely based on complete understanding of the account; 

most respondents focused on particular aspects of the account in making their 

accept/decline decision. 

TYPES OF PRA USE : BONUS RECEIPT OR PURCHASE OF SERVICES

The focus group discussions also revealed that individuals’ personal circumstances (e.g., 

education and training) and their perceived ability to obtain employment quickly influenced 

the type of account use—whether they sought the bonus or used the account primarily to 

purchase services. Similar to acceptance decisions, the decisions about the type of account 

use tended to focus on qualifying for the bonus. Respondents who were most confident 

that they would find a job quickly saved their account in order to receive the full bonus. 

Supportive-service users were respondents who did not think they would qualify for the 

bonus so they started purchasing services from the account from the start. 
A-4 

Appendix A 

Key Findings: 

3⁄4 Respondents who received the bonus were confident from the start that they 

would find a job quickly; they favored receipt of the lump sum payment and did 

not often use the account to purchase services. 

3⁄4 Respondents who purchased services with their PRA were less confident about 

qualifying for the bonus. 

EXTENT OF PRA USE

Respondents’ extent of use of their accounts—how much, if any, of the $3,000 they 

used—varied within and across sites. Overall, programmatic factors including policies 

regarding supportive service purchases, the amount and clarity of information provided to 

PRA recipients, payment options for purchasing expensive services, and PRA staff 

involvement with and availability to participants influenced the extent of PRA use. Many 

discrepancies in account holders’ knowledge about program policies and rules and the types 

of services that could be purchased came out during the discussions. As individuals shared 

information about how they used their accounts, it became clear that some had a great deal 

of information, others had very little, and others were misinformed. 

Key Findings: 

3⁄4 Restrictions on allowable supportive service purchases and the lack of 

information given to respondents about purchases contributed to nonuse of the 

PRA in one state. 

3⁄4 The majority of nonusers were respondents who lacked knowledge about bonusreceipt procedures and supportive service purchases. 

3⁄4 Lack of knowledge about program policies and procedures also led bonus 

recipients and service purchasers to not fully use their accounts. 

3⁄4 Account disbursements through reimbursement only limited a few respondents’ 

purchases to support their job search. 

3⁄4 Staff knowledge, responsiveness, and attitude influenced the extent of account 

usage. 

RESPONSES TO THE BONUS INCENTIVE

With very few exceptions, all the focus group respondents were eager to get back to 

work at the time they received the PRA. Data collected from individuals at the time of the 

focus groups indicate that the respondents were generally consistent workers who spent little 

time out of the workforce in the past five years. Respondents as a whole were dedicated to 

their job search at the time of the PRA offer but they were motivated in somewhat different 
 A-5 

 Appendix A 

ways—some could not afford to be out of work for long, while others wanted to ensure that 

they found a new job that was in line with their experience, interests, and goals. 

The PRA bonus functioned differently for respondents depending on their financial 

situation at the time of the offer. Most respondents valued finding the right job more than 

receiving the bonus and did not alter their job search in response to the bonus. Respondents 

in one state, however, were especially focused on trying to earn the $3,000 in bonuses 

because they needed the additional financial resources. 

Key Findings: 

3⁄4 Most respondents did not alter their job search strategy or accelerate their efforts 

in order to earn the bonus. 

3⁄4 The bonus amount encouraged some respondents with limited financial 

resources to accept any job quickly.

RESPONSES TO THE ABILITY TO PURCHASE SERVICES

Overall, respondents in the “user” groups (bonus recipients and service purchasers) 

were positive about the PRA because it provided flexibility and stability during a time of 

financial uncertainty. Most often respondents praised the flexibility that the accounts 

offered—to earn the bonus or purchase an array of services—and they highly valued these 

aspects. Respondents specifically in the supportive-service groups spoke highly of having 

the choice to spend the money on services they deemed as necessary or important. 

Nonetheless, the ways in which supportive-service respondents viewed their purchases 

varied. While they all valued the additional financial support, they had different opinions on 

how and whether their purchases helped them secure employment. 

Key Findings: 

3⁄4 Most supportive-service respondents viewed the flexibility to make purchases 

from the account as a source of financial relief during their job search.

3⁄4 Supportive-service purchasers had mixed opinions on the role that the purchases 

played in their successful reemployment. 

PRA IN THE CONTEXT OF THE ONE-STOP CAREER CENTERS

PRA functions within the service framework of One-Stop Career Centers. As a result, 

focus group discussions about services to help respondents return to work often included 

references to the core services provided in the One-Stop Career Centers. While these 

services are not specific to the PRA program, respondent feedback provides insight into 

how some PRA participants (and decliners) used and viewed these services. 
A-6 

Appendix A 

Key Findings: 

3⁄4 Some individuals targeted for the PRA—who seemed initially unfamiliar with the 

One-Stop Career Centers—made use of their core services. 

3⁄4 For some respondents, the types of jobs that they learned about through the 

One-Stop Career Centers and/or services they received did not match their 

interests, skills, and experience. 

SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS AND AREAS FOR FURTHER EXPLORATION

The focus group discussions suggested that the PRA is not viewed by potential account 

holders as the alternative to WIA services in the manner intended, that differences in 

program implementation and the information made available to recipients affects the use of 

the accounts, and that, in general, the target population for the PRA has not responded to 

the financial incentive for rapid reemployment. 

Specific to the type and extent of PRA use, the focus group study suggests that the 

personal characteristics and circumstances of PRA recipients influence whether they accept 

the account and how they use it. Then, programmatic factors such as the timing of the offer 

relative to the UI period, policies around service purchases, and importantly, the availability 

and clarity of program information, influence the patterns to and extent of account use. An 

analysis of individual-level data from each of the original seven demonstration states—

Florida, Idaho, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Texas, and West Virginia—is currently 

underway. This analysis will examine whether and how the demographic and employment 

characteristics of PRA recipients differ across various types of users (and nonusers) of the 

account as well as how usage patterns vary based on state PRA policies. 

The critical question that ultimately would address the effectiveness of PRAs is whether 

the accounts speed reemployment and shorten the length of UI receipt among recipients. 

Randomized experiments are the best way to estimate program impacts. In the absence of 

an experimental design, the PRA demonstration evaluation cannot answer this question with 

certainty. Nonetheless, this evaluation makes use of qualitative information—including 

findings from this focus group study—and analyzes individuals’ responses to the PRA to 

provide a rich understanding of this strategy in promoting reemployment. 
 

A PPENDIX B 

D ETAILED D ATA T ABLES 

ON PRA R ECIPIENTS
B-2 

Appendix B 

Table B.1. PRA Acceptance Rates 

 Florida Idaho Minnesota Mississippi Montana Texas West 

Virginia 

All 

States 

Number of offers 916 546 2095 962 164 981 833 6497 

Number of accepts 513 475 957 847 125 740 504 4161 

PRA Acceptance Rate 56 87 46 88 76 75 61 64 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA data on recipients and decliners provided by Idaho, Mississippi, 

Texas, and West Virginia, and on state quarterly activity and expenditure reports on the PRA demonstration, 

as of September 2007 for Florida, Minnesota, and Montana. 

Note: Numbers of PRA recipients presented in this table for Florida, Minnesota, and Montana may differ from the 

total number of accounts included in the individual-level data analysis throughout this report. 
Table B.2. Characteristics of Recipients at PRA Entry (Percentages, Unless Stated Otherwise) 

 Florida Idaho Minnesota Mississippi Montana Texas 

Gender 

Male 42 47 56 49 50 43 Female 58 53 44 51 50 57 

Age

Less than 25 years 4 6 6 13 6 4 25 to 34 years 20 17 15 24 14 22 35 to 44 years 25 29 29 26 27 23 45 to 54 years 29 29 34 22 36 32 55 years and over 22 19 15 15 17 19 

Average Age in Years 44 44 44 40 44 43 Median Age in Years 45 44 45 39 45 45 Ethnicity/Race

Non-Hispanic, white 50 80 77 49 77 62 Non-Hispanic, black 19 1 4 48 0 25 Non-Hispanic, other races 4 5 4 2 23 3 Hispanic, any race 28 14 15 1 1 9 

Educational Attainment

Less than high school diploma/GED 7 8 5 16 6 7 High school diploma/GED 43 30 37 55 39 37 Some college/2-year degree 22 40 35 28 31 35 Completed 4-year college 20 17 15 1 15 16 Post-graduate education 9 6 9 0 10 5 

Current Marital Status --- --- 

Unmarried (single or cohabitating) 36 28 20 31 Married 51 42 55 52 Separated, divorced, or widowed 13 30 25 18 

Have Children under 18 38 --- 37 44 47 41 Has a Disability 3 2 --- 11 --- 1 Total Number of Recipients 430 475 885 847 157 740 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA data from the seven demonstration states. Note: Sums may not total to 100 due to rounding. --- Data not available. 
B-4 

Appendix B 

Table B.3. Characteristics of Last Job Held Prior to PRA Entry (Percentages, Unless 

Stated Otherwise), Industry and Occupation 

 Florida Idaho Minnesota Mississippi Montana Texas 

West 

Virginia All States

Industry 

Natural resources and mining 1.1 2.6 0.1 1.0 1.8 1.0 8.9 2.1 

Construction 5.0 2.6 0.0 10.1 9.8 4.4 5.2 4.9 

Manufacturing 5.5 20.8 19.2 20.1 2.7 20.6 21.6 18.2 

Trade, transport, utilities 17.4 16.7 26.4 17.0 25.0 20.1 28.9 21.4 

Information 3.2 4.0 1.7 0.9 6.3 5.5 1.6 2.8 

Financial activities 11.8 2.8 13.8 3.8 10.7 9.9 5.4 8.2 

Professional and business 

services 

25.5 16.3 21.4 16.3 14.3 19.3 6.6 17.5 

Education and health services 17.6 14.9 9.1 10.3 14.3 12.7 8.2 11.6 

Leisure and hospitality 5.8 4.5 2.9 10.6 8.0 1.8 2.3 5.0 

Other services 3.4 5.0 4.1 3.4 0.9 3.9 8.7 4.4 

Public administration 3.7 9.9 1.2 6.6 6.3 0.7 2.7 3.9 

Occupation 

Management 21.3 10.8 16.0 4.1 10.4 11.9 12.4 12.0 

Business and financial 

operations 

6.1 5.8 7.2 3.0 2.6 6.8 3.9 5.3 

Computer and mathematical 3.1 5.6 8.5 0.5 0.0 4.7 1.7 3.8 

Architecture and engineering 3.6 2.7 4.9 1.8 3.5 2.8 0.9 2.8 

Life, physical, and social 

science 

1.4 0.5 1.1 0.1 1.7 0.4 1.3 0.8 

Community and social services 2.6 2.5 1.1 1.0 4.3 0.7 0.0 1.3 

Legal 0.5 0.9 0.7 0.3 1.7 1.0 0.9 0.7 

Education, training, and library 4.3 1.6 2.8 1.9 0.9 3.3 0.2 2.3 

Arts, design, entertainment, 

sports, and media 

2.4 2.2 2.1 1.0 1.7 1.3 1.7 1.7 

Healthcare practitioners and 

technical 

1.9 2.5 1.1 1.0 3.5 2.8 2.2 1.9 

Healthcare support 2.1 4.7 0.7 2.7 3.5 5.0 1.5 2.9 

Protective service 2.6 2.5 0.0 1.6 0.9 0.6 1.5 1.3 

Food preparation and serving 

related 

2.8 3.1 1.4 6.0 6.1 1.2 0.4 2.8 

Building and grounds cleaning 

and maintenance 

0.7 2.2 2.3 4.3 0.9 1.3 0.7 2.1 

Personal care and service 0.9 0.9 0.0 2.1 1.7 2.1 1.5 1.3 

Sales and related 8.3 7.8 16.4 10.4 13.0 7.4 8.3 10.0 

Office and administrative 

support 

19.4 16.8 13.8 19.6 16.5 26.2 23.3 19.9 

Farming, fishing, and forestry 0.5 1.8 0.0 0.3 2.6 0.0 0.9 0.6 

Construction and extraction 2.4 2.0 6.3 10.4 7.8 2.4 11.1 6.1 

Installation, maintenance, and 

repair 

3.1 4.3 3.0 2.2 7.0 3.9 6.8 3.8 

Production 5.0 12.8 7.6 17.4 3.5 12.4 9.8 11.2 

Transportation and material 

moving 

5.0 3.8 3.0 8.2 6.1 1.6 7.8 5.0 

Military specific 0.2 2.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.1 0.5 

Total Number of Recipients 430 475 885 847 157 740 504 4,038 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA and UI data from seven demonstration states. 
 B-5 

 Appendix B 

Table B.4. Characteristics of Last Job Held Prior to PRA Entry (Percentages, Unless 

Stated Otherwise), Hours, Wages, and Reason for Leaving 

 Florida Idaho Minnesota Mississippi Montana Texas 

West 

Virginia All States 

Hours Worked Per Week 

Less than 20 1.4 2.7 8.7 2.4 5.0 0.3 -- 3.6 

20 to 34 0.5 6.5 15.5 5.8 15.0 0.8 -- 7.3 

35 or more 98.1 90.8 75.9 91.9 80.0 98.9 -- 89.1 

Average 39.6 39.1 37.0 43.6 38.1 40.4 -- 40.0 

Median 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 -- 40.0 

Hourly Rate of Pay 

Less than $10.00 16.7 16.0 6.3 37.4 36.8 24.9 28.3 22.8 

$10.00 – $19.99 63.3 61.1 50.7 53.3 47.4 48.7 51.7 53.0 

$20.00 – $29.99 12.9 15.7 23.3 7.9 12.3 13.7 16.8 15.1 

$30.00 – $39.99 4.2 4.0 11.0 0.6 0.9 5.9 2.6 4.9 

$40.00 – $49.99 1.3 2.0 3.6 0.6 0.9 2.4 0.4 1.8 

$ 50.00 or more 1.7 1.1 5.1 0.2 1.8 4.5 0.2 2.4 

Average $15.22 $16.34 $22.96 $12.32 $13.57 $18.85 $14.01 $16.87 

Median $13.00 $14.11 $18.47 $11.00 $10.79 $12.52 $13.86 $13.50 

Primary Reasons for Leaving Job 

Laid off 62.3 88.8 61.9 -- 52.9 67.7 97.6 72.7 

Business closed 0.0 11.2 9.1 -- 5.9 0.0 0.0 4.4 

Temporary or seasonal 

job ended 

0.0 0.0 4.0 -- 10.9 0.0 0.0 1.5 

Discharged or fired 34.8 0.0 10.4 -- 17.7 5.8 1.0 9.8 

Quit 2.9 0.0 0.7 -- 7.6 26.6 1.4 7.4 

Other reason 0.0 0.0 14.0 -- 5.0 0.0 0.0 4.1 

Weeks on Job 

Average 167.3 333.2 642.6 91.1 136.4 325.1 595.9 375.4 

Median 93.1 207.8 520.0 47.6 51.6 121.7 578.0 181.9 

Years on Job 

Average 3.2 6.4 12.4 1.8 2.6 6.3 11.5 7.2 

Median 1.8 4.0 10.0 0.9 1.0 2.3 11.1 3.5 

Total Number of 

Recipients 

430 475 885 847 157 740 504 4,038 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA and UI data from seven demonstration states. 

 

--- Data not available.
B-6 

Appendix B 

Table B.5. Characteristics of UI Receipt Among Recipients at the Time of PRA Entry 

(Percentages, Unless Stated Otherwise) 

Florida Idaho Minnesota Mississippi Montana Texas 

West 

Virginia All States 

Average number 

of weeks of 

eligibility 

21.5 26.0 --- 23.6 19.7 22.0 26.0 23.4 

Average weekly 

benefit amount 

$237.25 $268.37 $365.18 $185.94 $228.07 $301.12 $319.32 $280.06 

Total Number of 

Recipients 

430 475 885 847 157 740 504 4,038 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA and UI data from seven demonstration states. 

--- Data not available. 
 B-7 

 Appendix B 

Table B.6. Time from UI Claim Date to PRA Offer and Acceptance, by Demonstration 

State 

Florida Idaho Minnesota Mississippi Montana Texas 

West 

Virginia 

All 

States 

Average Number of Weeks 

From: 

 

UI claim date to PRA offer 6.2 4.0 3.4 3.9 7.0 4.8 2.4 4.1 

PRA offer to acceptance 0.8 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.2 

UI claim date to PRA 

acceptance 

7.0 4.1 3.6 3.9 7.6 4.8 2.4 4.3 

Median Number of Weeks 

From: 

 

UI claim date to PRA offer 6 4 3 3 7 5 2 4 

PRA offer to acceptance 0 0 0 0 --- 0 0 0 

UI claim date to PRA 

acceptance 

7 4 3 3 7 5 2 4 

Total Number of Recipients 430 475 885 847 157 740 504 4,038 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA and UI data from seven demonstration states. 

--- Data not available. 
B-8 

Appendix B 

Table B.7a. Bonus Receipt Among PRA Recipients (Percentages, Unless Stated 

Otherwise) 

 Florida Idaho Minnesota Mississippi 

Type of Bonus First Second First Second First Second First Second 

Bonus Receipt Rate: 

Among all PRA recipients 51.6 38.8 29.1 16.8 25.7 18.2 36.9 22.1 

Among all potentially 

eligible recipientsa

79.9 --- 39.3 --- 60.6 --- 61.2 --- 

Among recipients of 1st

bonus 

--- 75.2 --- 57.7 --- 71.0 --- 59.8 

Among PRA Recipients 

Who Received the 

Bonus: 

 

Average amount of bonus $1,712.76 $1,129.98 $1,528.92 $1,073.44 $1,539.18 $1,070.93 $1,794.59 $1,200.00 

Average length into PRA 

receipt (weeks) 

3.5 25.2 3.7 28.4 5.4 27.3 4.2 28.8 

Median length into PRA 

receipt (weeks) 

3.0 28.0 3.0 28.0 5.0 29.0 4.0 29.0 

Average length into UI 

receipt (weeks) 

11.0 --- 7.7 --- 9.1 --- 9.1 --- 

Median length into UI 

receipt (weeks) 

10.0 --- 8.0 --- 9.0 --- 8.0 --- 

Number of Bonus 

Payments 

222 167 71 41 138 98 97 58 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA and UI data from seven demonstration states. 

Note: Restricted to recipients with entry dates prior to September 2006 in order to observe the full qualification 

periods for the first and second bonus.

a

Potentially eligible for the bonus defined as those who received 13 or less weeks of UI benefits under the assumption that 

benefits ended due to reemployment. 

--- Data not available. 
 B-9 

 Appendix B 

Table B.7b. Bonus Receipt Among PRA Recipients (Percentages, Unless Stated 

Otherwise) 

 Montana Texas West Virginia All States 

Type of Bonus First Second First Second First Second First Second 

Bonus Receipt Rate: 

Among all PRA recipients 7.6 4.5 25.1 16.2 31.0 26.4 31.4 22.0 

Among all potentially 

eligible recipientsa

13.9 --- 67.7 --- 74.1 --- 63.8 --- 

Among recipients of 1st

bonus 

--- 60.0 --- 64.5 --- 85.1 ---- 70.1 

Among PRA Recipients 

Who Received the 

Bonus: 

 

Average amount of bonus $1,727.22 $1,119.13 $1,602.45 $1,086.34 $1,779.86 $1,186.02 $1,662.48 $1,123.31 

Average length into PRA 

receipt (weeks) 

4.2 30.0 4.1 29.4 5.8 28.5 4.4 27.2 

Median length into PRA 

receipt (weeks) 

4.0 30.0 4.0 30.0 6.0 30.0 4.0 29.0 

Average length into UI 

receipt (weeks) 

10.7 --- 8.7 --- 8.2 --- 9.2 --- 

Median length into UI 

receipt (weeks) 

10.0 --- 9.0 --- 8.0 --- 9.0 --- 

Number of Bonus 

Payments 

5 3 186 120 114 97 833 584 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA and UI data from seven demonstration states. 

Note: Restricted to recipients with entry dates prior to September 2006 in order to observe the full qualification 

periods for the first and second bonus. 

a

Potentially eligible for the bonus defined as those who received 13 or less weeks of UI benefits under the assumption that 

benefits ended due to reemployment. 

--- Data not available. 
B-10 

Appendix B 

Table B.8a. Transactions for PRA Service Purchases, by State 

 Florida Idaho 

 

Total 

Number of 

Trans. 

Average 

Trans. 

Amount (in 

dollars) 

Percentage 

of All 

Service 

Trans. 

Total 

Number of 

Trans. 

Average 

Trans. 

Amount (in 

dollars) 

Percentage 

of All 

Service 

Trans. 

Intensive Services 

Specialized assessments (occupational skills 

or aptitude) 

--- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Resume development --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Career planning --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Case management --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Group/individual counseling --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Individual employment plan --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Specialized workshop --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Basic skills testing --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Interest inventory --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Other --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Unknown 67 193.79 6.1 0 0.00 0.0 

Total Intensive Services 67 193.79 5.4 0 0.00 0.0 

Supportive Services 

Vehicle repair 64 486.90 5.8 0 0.00 0.0 

Vehicle insurance payment 71 306.69 6.4 0 0.00 0.0 

Vehicle purchase or monthly loan payment 56 527.22 5.1 0 0.00 0.0 

Other transportation/mileage reimbursement 21 86.41 1.9 25 189.65 1.7 

Utilities/rent 703 312.67 63.6 0 0.00 0.0 

Mortgage payment / insurance 10 833.76 0.9 0 0.00 0.0 

Clothing for interviews 37 239.75 3.4 0 0.00 0.0 

Job uniform 2 172.00 0.2 0 0.00 0.0 

Technological supplies 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Other tools and supplies 7 759.87 0.6 0 0.00 0.0 

Childcare 4 351.52 0.4 30 253.17 2.0 

Fees for job-related certification/licenses 11 172.00 1.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Health screenings or tests/other Medical 68 337.93 6.2 84 195.49 5.6 

Relocation or moving expenses 0 0.00 0.0 8 1,288.86 0.5 

Other 3 765.40 0.3 0 0.00 0.0 

Combined categories 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Work-related expense 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Unknown 81 117.08 7.3 1,186 449.50 78.9 

Total Supportive Services 1,138 320.75 92.3 1,333 429.24 88.7 

Training 

Adult basic education (ABE) 0 0.00 0.0 --- --- --- 

General equivalency degree (GED) 0 0.00 0.0 --- --- --- 

English as a second language (ESL) 0 0.00 0.0 --- --- --- 

Job-training/occupational skills 15 864.60 1.4 --- --- --- 

Business development plan/selfemployment training 0 0.00 0.0 --- --- --- 

On-line training/distance learning 0 0.00 0.0 --- --- --- 

Other 0 0.00 0.0 --- --- --- 

Unknown 13 216.60 1.2 170 702.54 11.31 

Total Training 28 563.71 2.3 170 702.54 11.31 

Total All Service Transactions 1,233 307.66 100.0 1,503 731.08 100.0 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

--- Data not available. 
 B-11 

 Appendix B 

Table B.8b. Transactions for PRA Service Purchases, by State 

Minnesota Mississippi 

Total 

Number of 

Trans. 

Average 

Trans. 

Amount 

(in dollars)

Percentage 

of All 

Service 

Trans. 

Total 

Number of 

Trans. 

Average 

Trans. 

Amount 

(in dollars)

Percentage 

of All 

Service 

Trans. 

Intensive Services 

Specialized assessments (occupational skills 

or aptitude) 

1 140.00 0.1 0 0.00 0.0 

Resume development 4 256.95 0.2 0 0.00 0.0 

Career planning 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Case management 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Group/individual counseling 6 313.80 0.4 0 0.00 0.0 

Individual employment plan 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Specialized workshop 4 1,328.11 0.2 0 0.00 0.0 

Basic skills testing 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Interest inventory 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Other 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Unknown 1 488.00 0.1 0 0.00 0.0 

Total Intensive Services 16 533.58 0.9 0 0.00 0.0 

Supportive Services 

Vehicle repair 0 0.00 0.0 1 796.18 1.8 

Vehicle insurance payment 26 250.52 1.5 0 0.00 0.0 

Vehicle purchase or monthly loan payment 16 811.44 0.9 0 0.00 0.0 

Other transportation/mileage reimbursement 10 125.67 0.6 8 328.21 14.3 

Utilities/rent 214 437.20 12.5 0 0.00 0.0 

Mortgage payment/insurance 105 1,343.56 6.1 0 0.00 0.0 

Clothing for interviews 152 259.85 8.9 3 256.92 5.4 

Job uniform 1 88.50 0.1 0 0.00 0.0 

Technological supplies 52 1,282.40 3.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Other tools and supplies 170 474.47 9.9 22 826.98 39.3 

Childcare 15 604.76 0.9 3 296.45 5.4 

Fees for job-related certification/licenses 17 189.97 1.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Health screenings or tests/other Medical 58 408.62 3.4 0 0.00 0.0 

Relocation or moving expenses 0 0.00 0.0 1 609.84 1.8 

Other 151 767.32 8.8 0 0.00 0.0 

Combined categories 40 952.70 2.3 0 0.00 0.0 

Work related expense 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Unknown 528 511.04 30.8 0 0.00 0.0 

Total Supportive Services 1,555 580.12 90.8 38 628.53 67.9 

Training 

Adult basic education (ABE) 0 0.00 0.0 6 1,185.80 10.7 

General equivalency degree (GED) 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

English as a second language (ESL) 5 515.07 0.3 0 0.00 0.0 

Job-training/occupational skills 119 670.31 7.0 11 1,321.32 19.6 

Business development plan/self-employment 

training 

3 348.10 0.2 0 0.00 0.0 

On-line training/distance learning 8 452.46 0.5 1 889.35 1.8 

Other 5 908.01 0.3 0 0.00 0.0 

Unknown 2 496.55 0.1 0 0.00 0.0 

Total Training 142 651.67 8.3 18 1,252.21 32.1 

Total All Service Transactions 1,713 377.84 100.0 56 27.40 100.0 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

--- Data not available. 
B-12 

Appendix B 

Table B.8c. Transactions for PRA Service Purchases, by State 

 Montana Texas 

Total 

Number of 

Trans. 

Average 

Trans. 

Amount 

(in dollars)

Percentage 

of All 

Service 

Trans. 

Total 

Number of 

Trans. 

Average 

Trans. 

Amount 

(in dollars)

Percentage 

of All 

Service 

Trans. 

Intensive Services 

Specialized assessments (occupational skills 

or aptitude) 

0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Resume development 0 0.00 0.0 4 380.50 0.2 

Career planning 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Case management 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Group/individual counseling 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Individual employment plan 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Specialized workshop 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Basic skills testing 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Interest inventory 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Other 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Unknown 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Total Intensive Services 0 0.00 0.0 4 380.50 0.2 

Supportive Services 

Vehicle repair --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Vehicle insurance payment --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Vehicle purchase or monthly loan payment --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Other transportation/mileage reimbursement --- --- --- 936 338.34 42.9 

Utilities/rent --- --- --- 143 713.93 6.6 

Mortgage payment/insurance --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Clothing for interviews --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Job uniform --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Technological supplies --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Other tools and supplies --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Childcare --- --- --- 31 470.02 1.4 

Fees for job-related certification/licenses --- --- --- 2 251.60 0.1 

Health screenings or tests/other Medical --- --- --- 27 397.96 1.2 

Relocation or moving expenses --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Other --- --- --- 258 239.38 11.8 

Combined categories --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Work related expense --- --- --- 623 488.40 28.6 

Unknown 458 469.65 90.9 0 0.00 0.0 

Total Supportive Services 458 453.84 90.9 2,020 401.30 92.6 

Training 

Adult basic education (ABE) --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

General equivalency degree (GED) --- --- --- 1 429.20 0.1 

English as a second language (ESL) --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Job-training/occupational skills --- --- --- 156 1,229.35 7.2 

Business development plan / self-employment 

training 

--- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

On-line training/distance learning --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Other --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Unknown 46 761.74 9.1 0 0.00 0.0 

Total Training 46 761.74 9.1 157 1,224.29 7.2 

Total All Service Transactions 504 793.78 100.0 2,181 453.02 100.0 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

--- Data not available. 
 B-13 

 Appendix B 

Table B.8d. Transactions for PRA Service Purchases, by State 

 West Virginia All states 

Total 

Number of 

Trans. 

Average 

Trans. 

Amount 

(in dollars)

Percentage 

of All 

Service 

Trans. 

Total 

Number of 

Trans. 

Average 

Trans. 

Amount 

(in dollars)

Percentage 

of All 

Service 

Trans. 

Intensive Services 

Specialized assessments (occupational skills 

or aptitude) 

1 3,000.00 1.3 2 1,570.00 0.0 

Resume development 1 106.00 1.3 9 331.98 0.1 

Career planning 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Case management 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Group/individual counseling 0 0.00 0.0 6 313.80 0.1 

Individual employment plan 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Specialized workshop 0 0.00 0.0 4 1,328.11 0.1 

Basic skills testing 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Interest inventory 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Other 1 261.32 1.3 1 261.32 0.0 

Unknown 1 26.50 1.3 69 189.77 1.0 

Total Intensive Services 4 848.46 5.3 91 286.08 1.3 

Supportive Services 

Vehicle repair 0 0.00 0.0 65 492.02 0.9 

Vehicle insurance payment 0 0.00 0.0 97 291.82 1.4 

Vehicle purchase or monthly loan payment 0 0.00 0.0 72 590.54 1.0 

Other transportation/mileage reimbursement 0 0.00 0.0 1,000 327.11 14.0 

Utilities/rent 0 0.00 0.0 1,060 391.95 14.9 

Mortgage payment/insurance 0 0.00 0.0 115 1,299.20 1.6 

Clothing for interviews 0 0.00 0.0 192 255.95 2.7 

Job uniform 0 0.00 0.0 3 148.06 0.0 

Technological supplies 0 0.00 0.0 52 1,282.03 0.7 

Other tools and supplies 4 1,358.28 5.3 203 539.86 2.8 

Childcare 0 0.00 0.0 83 403.79 1.2 

Fees for job-related certification/licenses 4 209.16 5.3 34 188.84 0.5 

Health screenings or tests/other Medical 0 0.00 0.0 237 311.63 3.3 

Relocation or moving expenses 0 0.00 0.0 9 1,211.40 0.1 

Other 4 332.64 5.3 416 435.74 5.8 

Combined categories 2 219.24 2.7 42 918.18 0.6 

Work-related expense 0 0.00 0.0 623 488.40 8.7 

Unknown 4 691.76 5.3 2,257 453.27 31.6 

Total Supportive Services 18 599.96 23.7 6,560 440.92 90.3 

Training 

Adult basic education (ABE) --- --- --- 6 1,184.48 0.1 

General equivalency degree (GED) --- --- --- 1 444.18 0.0 

English as a second language (ESL) --- --- --- 5 516.86 0.1 

Job-training/occupational skills --- --- --- 301 993.53 4.2 

Business development plan/self-employment 

training 

--- --- --- 3 349.96 0.0 

On-line training/distance learning --- --- --- 9 502.51 0.1 

Other --- --- --- 5 912.59 0.1 

Unknown 54 1,381.25 72.0 285 817.08 4.0 

Total Training 54 1,381.25 71.1 615 897.79 8.5 

Total All Service Transactions 76 58.72 100.0 7,266 287.26 100.0 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

--- Data not available. 
B-14 

Appendix B 

Table B.9a. PRA Service Purchases by Customer, by State 

 Florida Idaho 

 

 Total 

Number of 

Customers 

 Average 

Customer 

Amount 

(in dollars)

 Percentage of 

All Recipients

 Total 

Number of 

Customers 

 Average 

Customer 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

 Percentage of 

All Recipients

Intensive Services 

Specialized assessments (occupational 

skills or aptitude) 

--- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Resume development --- --- --- 0 0.0 

Career planning --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Case management --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Group/individual counseling --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Individual employment plan --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Specialized workshop --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Basic skills testing --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Interest inventory --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Other --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Unknown 67 187.76 15.6 0 0.00 0.0 

Total Intensive Services 67 187.76 15.6 0 0.00 0.0 

Supportive Services 

Vehicle repair 45 528.42 10.5 0 0.00 0.0 

Vehicle insurance payment 53 350.38 12.3 0 0.00 0.0 

Vehicle purchase or monthly loan payment 31 604.36 7.2 0 0.00 0.0 

Other transportation/mileage 

reimbursement 

16 85.04 3.7 14 160.16 3.0 

Utilities/rent 125 418.30 29.1 0 0.00 0.0 

Mortgage payment/insurance 5 850.43 1.2 0 0.00 0.0 

Clothing for interviews 25 287.98 5.8 0 0.00 0.0 

Job uniform 2 171.72 0.5 0 0.00 0.0 

Technological supplies 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Other tools and supplies 5 958.30 1.2 0 0.00 0.0 

Childcare 4 351.18 0.9 12 274.93 2.5 

Fees for job-related certification/licenses 5 128.68 1.2 0 0.00 0.0 

Health screenings or tests/other medical 36 392.38 8.4 51 206.17 10.7 

Relocation or moving expenses 0 0.00 0.0 8 1,288.86 1.7 

Other 3 765.34 0.7 0 0.00 0.0 

Combined categories 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Work-related expense 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Unknown 60 101.08 14.0 302 659.22 63.6 

Total Supportive Services 202 349.28 47.0 306 643.02 64.4 

Training --- 

Adult basic education (ABE) 0 0.00 0.0 --- --- --- 

General equivalency degree (GED) 0 0.00 0.0 --- --- --- 

English as a second language (ESL) 0 0.00 0.0 --- --- --- 

Job-training/occupational skills 15 864.53 3.5 --- --- --- 

Business development plan/selfemployment training 0 0.00 0.0 --- --- --- 

On-line training/distance learning 0 0.00 0.0 --- --- --- 

Other 0 0.00 0.0 --- --- --- 

Unknown 12 234.65 2.8 91 892.09 19.2 

Total Training 27 584.59 6.3 91 892.09 19.2 

Total All Service Types 254 339.28 59.1 328 703.65 69.1 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

--- Data not available. 
 B-15 

 Appendix B 

Table B.9b. PRA Service Purchases by Customer, by State 

 Minnesota Mississippi 

 

 Total 

Number of 

Customers 

Average 

Customer 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

 Percentage of 

All Recipients

 Total 

Number of 

Customers 

Average 

Customer 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

 Percentage of 

All Recipients

Intensive Services 

Specialized assessments (occupational 

skills or aptitude) 

1 140.00 0.1 0 0.00 0.0 

Resume development 4 256.95 0.5 0 0.00 0.0 

Career planning 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Case management 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Group/individual counseling 5 263.90 0.6 0 0.00 0.0 

Individual employment plan 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Specialized workshop 4 1,328.11 0.5 0 0.00 0.0 

Basic skills testing 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Interest inventory 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Other 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Unknown 1 488.00 0.1 0 0.00 0.0 

Total Intensive Services 15 552.52 1.7 0 0.00 0.0 

Supportive Services 

Vehicle repair 0 0.00 0.0 1 800.00 0.1 

Vehicle insurance payment 20 282.01 2.3 0 0.00 0.0 

Vehicle purchase or monthly loan payment 10 1,044.70 1.1 0 0.00 0.0 

Other transportation/mileage 

reimbursement 

10 125.84 1.1 7 349.48 0.8 

Utilities/rent 101 495.31 11.4 0 0.00 0.0 

Mortgage payment/insurance 69 1,572.69 7.8 0 0.00 0.0 

Clothing for interviews 104 268.14 11.8 3 255.85 0.4 

Job uniform 1 86.96 0.1 0 0.00 0.0 

Technological supplies 48 1,302.68 5.4 0 0.00 0.0 

Other tools and supplies 106 559.99 12.0 20 876.74 2.4 

Childcare 10 813.58 1.1 2 319.25 0.2 

Fees for job-related certification/licenses 14 148.95 1.6 0 0.00 0.0 

Health screenings or tests/other medical 40 452.91 4.5 0 0.00 0.0 

Relocation or moving expenses 0 0.00 0.0 1 611.82 0.1 

Other 101 815.70 11.4 0 0.00 0.0 

Combined categories 35 989.81 4.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Work-related expense 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Unknown 255 711.02 28.8 0 0.00 0.0 

Total Supportive Services 460 932.38 52.0 29 696.25 3.4 

Training 

Adult basic education (ABE) 0 0.00 0.0 5 1,263.40 0.6 

General equivalency degree (GED) 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

English as a second language (ESL) 2 554.58 0.2 0 0.00 0.0 

Job-training/occupational skills 90 738.79 10.2 11 1,321.11 1.3 

Business development plan/selfemployment training 2 284.75 0.2 0 0.00 0.0 

On-line training/distance learning 7 406.46 0.8 1 890.00 0.1 

Other 5 908.64 0.6 0 0.00 0.0 

Unknown 2 496.55 0.2 0 0.00 0.0 

Total Training 100 731.36 11.3 17 1,278.78 2.0 

Total All Service Types 486 887.51 54.9 39 911.53 4.6 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

--- Data not available. 
B-16 

Appendix B 

Table B.9c. PRA Service Purchases by Customer, by State 

 Montana Texas 

Total 

Number of 

Customers 

Average 

Customer 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percentage 

of All 

Recipients 

Total 

Number of 

Customers 

Average 

Customer 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percentage 

of All 

Recipients 

Intensive Services 

Specialized assessments (occupational 

skills or aptitude) 

0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Resume development 0 0.00 0.0 3 487.00 0.4 

Career planning 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Case management 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Group/individual counseling 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Individual employment plan 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Specialized workshop 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Basic skills testing 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Interest inventory 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Other 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Unknown 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Total Intensive Services 0 0.00 0.0 3 487.00 0.4 

Supportive Services 

Vehicle repair --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Vehicle insurance payment --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Vehicle purchase or monthly loan payment --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Other transportation/mileage 

reimbursement 

--- --- --- 288 499.56 38.9 

Utilities/rent --- --- --- 94 735.50 12.7 

Mortgage payment/insurance --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Clothing for interviews --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Job uniform --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Technological supplies --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Other tools and supplies --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Childcare --- --- --- 16 595.46 2.2 

Fees for job-related certification/licenses --- --- --- 2 250.00 0.3 

Health screenings or tests/other medical --- --- --- 15 450.73 2.0 

Relocation or moving expenses --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Other --- --- --- 105 307.85 14.2 

Combined categories --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Work-related expense --- --- --- 258 596.03 34.9 

Unknown 110 700.08 70.1 0 0.00 0.0 

Total Supportive Services 110 700.08 70.1 421 591.26 56.9 

Training 

Adult basic education (ABE) --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

General equivalency degree (GED) --- --- --- 1 431.75 0.1 

English as a second language (ESL) --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Job-training/occupational skills --- --- --- 142 1,281.10 19.2 

Business development plan/selfemployment training --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

On-line training/distance learning --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Other --- --- --- 0 0.00 0.0 

Unknown 27 902.75 17.2 0 0.00 0.0 

Total Training 27 902.75 17.2 143 1,275.16 19.3 

Total All Service Types 115 785.92 73.2 463 764.54 62.6 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

--- Data not available.
 B-17 

 Appendix B 

Table B.9d. PRA Service Purchases by Customer, by State 

 West Virginia All States 

 

Total 

Number of 

Customers 

Average 

Customer 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percentage of 

All Recipients 

Total 

Number of 

Customers 

Average 

Customer 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percentage of 

All Recipients 

Intensive Services 

Specialized assessments (occupational skills 

or aptitude) 

1 3,000.00 0.2 2 1,570.00 0.1 

Resume development 1 106.00 0.2 8 324.35 0.2 

Career planning 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Case management 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Group/individual counseling 0 0.00 0.0 5 263.90 0.1 

Individual employment plan 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Specialized workshop 0 0.00 0.0 4 1,328.11 0.1 

Basic skills testing 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Interest inventory 0 0.00 0.0 0 0.00 0.0 

Other 1 261.32 0.2 1 261.32 0.0 

Unknown 1 26.50 0.2 69 189.78 1.2 

Total Intensive Services 4 848.46 0.8 89 289.02 2.2 

Supportive Services 

Vehicle repair 0 0.00 0.0 46 534.33 1.1 

Vehicle insurance payment 0 0.00 0.0 73 331.65 1.8 

Vehicle purchase or monthly loan payment 0 0.00 0.0 41 711.76 1.0 

Other transportation/mileage reimbursement 0 0.00 0.0 335 451.28 8.5 

Utilities/rent 0 0.00 0.0 320 535.78 7.9 

Mortgage payment/insurance 0 0.00 0.0 74 1,523.89 1.8 

Clothing for interviews 0 0.00 0.0 132 271.62 3.3 

Job uniform 0 0.00 0.0 3 143.47 0.1 

Technological supplies 0 0.00 0.0 48 1,302.68 1.2 

Other tools and supplies 4 1,357.73 0.8 135 645.31 3.3 

Childcare 0 0.00 0.0 44 522.85 1.1 

Fees for job-related certification/licenses 4 208.70 0.8 25 162.54 0.6 

Health screenings or tests/other medical 0 0.00 0.0 142 348.72 3.6 

Relocation or moving expenses 0 0.00 0.0 9 1,213.63 0.2 

Other 4 332.48 0.8 213 555.57 5.3 

Combined categories 2 218.23 0.4 37 948.10 0.9 

Work-related expense 0 0.00 0.0 258 596.03 6.4 

Unknown 4 691.76 0.8 731 637.81 18.1 

Total Supportive Services 18 599.95 3.6 1,546 681.20 38.3 

Training 

Adult basic education (ABE) --- --- --- 5 1,263.40 0.1 

General equivalency degree (GED) --- --- --- 1 431.75 0.0 

English as a second language (ESL) --- --- --- 2 554.58 0.1 

Job-training/occupational skills --- --- --- 258 1,069.41 6.4 

Business development plan/self- employment 

training 

--- --- --- 2 284.75 0.1 

On-line training/distance learning --- --- --- 8 466.91 0.2 

Other --- --- --- 5 908.64 0.1 

Unknown 54 1,381.21 10.7 186 988.97 4.7 

Total Training 54 1,381.21 10.7 459 1,030.82 11.4 

Total All Service Types 66 1,168.14 13.1 1,751 746.78 43.4 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

--- Data not available. 
B-18 

Appendix B 

Table B.10a. Average Expenditures for All PRA Users and All PRA Recipients, by State 

 FLORIDA 

 All PRA Users All PRA Recipients 

 Average Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Reemployment bonus (1st bonus) 961.78 32.1 880.50 29.4 

Retention bonus (2nd bonus) 475.17 15.8 435.02 14.5 

Total Bonuses Received 1,436.95 47.9 1,315.52 43.9 

Intensive services 31.77 1.1 29.09 1.0 

Training 40.47 1.4 37.05 1.2 

Supportive services 935.92 31.2 856.83 28.6 

Total Services Received 1,008.17 33.6 922.97 30.8 

Total Average Expenditure 2,445.12 81.5 2,238.49 74.6 

Total Number of Recipients 390 426 

 IDAHO 

 All PRA Users All PRA Recipients 

 Average Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Reemployment bonus (1st bonus) 612.32 20.4 459.24 15.3 

Retention bonus (2nd bonus) 251.74 8.4 188.81 6.3 

Total Bonuses Received 864.07 28.8 648.05 21.6 

Intensive services 0.00 0.0 0.00 0.0 

Training 472.05 15.7 354.04 11.8 

Supportive services 997.16 33.2 747.87 24.9 

Total Services Received 1,469.21 49.0 1,101.91 36.7 

Total Average Expenditure 2,333.28 77.8 1,749.96 58.3 

Total Number of Recipients 126 168 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

Note: Restricted to recipients with entry dates prior to July 2006 in order to observe the full one-year cycle of 

the account. 
 B-19 

 Appendix B 

Table B.10b. Average Expenditures for All PRA Users and All PRA Recipients, by State 

 MINNESOTA 

 All PRA Users All PRA Recipients 

 Average Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Reemployment bonus (1st bonus) 527.51 17.6 407.10 13.6 

Retention bonus (2nd bonus) 258.63 8.6 199.59 6.7 

Total Bonuses Received 786.13 26.2 606.69 20.2 

Intensive services 16.54 0.6 12.76 0.4 

Training 156.57 5.2 120.83 4.0 

Supportive services 1,451.35 48.4 1,120.07 37.3 

Total Services Received 1,624.45 54.1 1,253.66 41.8 

Total Average Expenditure 2,410.59 80.4 1,860.35 62.0 

Total Number of Recipients 355 460 

 MISSISSIPPI 

 All PRA Users All PRA Recipients 

 Average Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Reemployment bonus (1st bonus) 1,641.87 54.7 681.38 22.7 

Retention bonus (2nd bonus) 621.69 20.7 258.00 8.6 

Total Bonuses Received 2,263.55 75.5 939.38 31.3 

Intensive services 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Training 37.55 1.3 15.59 0.5 

Supportive services 98.65 3.3 40.94 1.4 

Total Services Received 136.20 4.5 56.52 1.9 

Total Average Expenditure 2,399.75 80.0 995.90 33.2 

Total Number of Recipients 83 200 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

Note: Restricted to recipients with entry dates prior to July 2006 in order to observe the full one-year cycle of 

the account. 
B-20 

Appendix B 

Table B.10c. Average Expenditures for All PRA Users and All PRA Recipients, by State 

 MONTANA 

 All PRA Users All PRA Recipients 

 Average Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Reemployment bonus (1st bonus) 210.64 7.0 137.08 4.6 

Retention bonus (2nd bonus) 81.89 2.7 53.29 1.8 

Total Bonuses Received 292.52 9.8 190.37 6.4 

Intensive services 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Training 382.58 12.8 248.98 8.3 

Supportive services 1,603.20 53.4 1,043.30 34.8 

Total Services Received 1,985.80 66.2 1,292.30 43.1 

Total Average Expenditure 2,278.30 75.9 1,482.70 49.4 

Total Number of Recipients 41 63 

 TEXAS 

 All PRA Users All PRA Recipients 

 Average Amount 

(in dollar) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Reemployment bonus (1st bonus) 504.26 16.8 391.10 13.0 

Retention bonus (2nd bonus) 225.61 7.5 174.98 5.8 

Total Bonuses Received 729.87 24.3 566.08 18.9 

Intensive services 0.22 0.0 0.17 0.0 

Training 341.21 11.4 264.64 8.8 

Supportive services 1,412.16 47.1 1,095.26 36.5 

Total Services Received 1,753.58 58.5 1,360.07 45.3 

Total Average Expenditure 2,483.45 82.8 1,926.15 64.2 

Total Number of Recipients 553 713 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

Note: Restricted to recipients with entry dates prior to July 2006 in order to observe the full one-year cycle of 

the account. 
 B-21 

 Appendix B 

Table B.10d. Average Expenditures for All PRA Users and All PRA Recipients, by State 

 WEST VIRGINIA 

 All PRA Users All PRA Recipients 

 Average Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Reemployment bonus (1st bonus) 1,287.37 42.9 582.08 19.4 

Retention bonus (2nd bonus) 719.37 24.0 325.26 10.8 

Total Bonuses Received 2,006.74 66.9 907.34 30.2 

Intensive services 24.77 0.8 11.20 0.4 

Training 301.89 10.1 136.50 4.5 

Supportive services 70.77 2.4 32.00 1.1 

Total Services Received 397.44 13.2 179.70 6.0 

Total Average Expenditure 2,404.18 80.1 1,087.04 36.2 

Total Number of Recipients 137 303 

 TOTAL 

 All PRA Users All PRA Recipients 

 Average Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Reemployment bonus (1st bonus) 735.70 24.5 531.35 17.7 

Retention bonus (2nd bonus) 348.44 11.6 251.66 8.4 

Total Bonuses Received 1,084.14 36.1 783.01 26.1 

Intensive services 12.92 0.4 9.33 0.3 

Training 225.34 7.5 162.75 5.4 

Supportive services 1,110.04 37.0 801.72 26.7 

Total Services Received 1,348.30 44.9 973.81 32.5 

Total Average Expenditure 2,432.44 81.1 1,756.82 58.6 

Total Number of Recipients 1,685 2,333 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

Note: Restricted to recipients with entry dates prior to July 2006 in order to observe the full one-year cycle of 

the account. 
B-22 

Appendix B 

Table B.11a. Average Expenditures for All PRA Users Before and After Bonus 

Qualification Period, by State 

 FLORIDA 

 Within the First 13 Weeks 13+ weeks All PRA Users 

 Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Reemployment bonus (1st bonus) 961.78 64.6 N/A N/A 961.78 39.8 

Retention bonus (2nd bonus) N/A N/A 475.17 51.1 475.17 19.6 

Total Bonuses Received 961.78 64.6 475.17 51.1 1,436.95 59.4 

Intensive services 31.13 2.1 0.00 0.0 31.13 1.3 

Training 30.61 2.1 9.86 1.1 40.47 1.7 

Supportive services 464.64 31.2 445.60 47.9 910.23 37.6 

Total Services Received 526.39 35.4 455.45 48.9 981.84 40.6 

Total Average Expenditure 1,488.16 100.0 930.63 100.0 2,418.79 100.0 

Total Average Expenditure as 

Percent of $3,000 

49.6 31.0 80.6 

Total Number of Recipients 369 

 IDAHO 

 Within the First 13 Weeks 13+ weeks All PRA Users 

 Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Reemployment bonus (1st bonus) 612.325 55.2 N/A N/A 612.33 30.7 

Retention bonus (2nd bonus) N/A N/A 251.74 28.4 251.74 12.6 

Total Bonuses Received 612.33 55.2 251.74 28.4 864.07 43.3 

Intensive services 0.00 0.0 0.00 0.0 0.00 0.0 

Training 173.59 15.7 200.95 22.7 374.53 18.8 

Supportive services 323.30 29.2 434.28 49.0 757.57 38.0 

Total Services Received 496.88 44.8 635.22 71.6 1,132.11 56.7 

Total Average Expenditure 1,109.21 100.0 886.97 100.0 1,996.18 100.0 

Total Average Expenditure as 

Percent of $3,000 

37.0 29.6 66.5 

Total Number of Recipients 98 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

Note: Restricted to recipients with entry dates prior to July 2006 in order to observe the full one-year cycle of 

the account. Also restricted to recipients with valid service transaction dates. 
 B-23 

 Appendix B 

Table B.11b. Average Expenditures for All PRA Users Before and After Bonus 

Qualification Period, by State

 MINNESOTA 

 Within the First 13 Weeks 13+ weeks All PRA Users 

 Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Reemployment bonus (1st bonus) 527.51 46.9 N/A N/A 527.51 22.1 

Retention bonus (2nd bonus) N/A N/A 258.63 20.5 258.63 10.8 

Total Bonuses Received 527.51 46.9 258.63 20.5 786.13 32.9 

Intensive services 15.99 1.4 0.55 0.0 16.54 0.7 

Training 48.46 4.3 108.11 8.6 156.57 6.6 

Supportive services 532.96 47.4 894.13 70.9 1,427.09 59.8 

Total Services Received 597.41 53.1 1,002.78 79.5 1,600.19 67.1 

Total Average Expenditure 1,124.92 100.0 1,261.41 100.0 2,386.33 100.0 

Total Average Expenditure as 

Percent of $3,000 

 37.5 42.1 79.5 

Total Number of Recipients 340 

 MISSISSIPPI 

 Within the First 13 Weeks 13+ weeks All PRA Users 

 Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Reemployment bonus (1st bonus) 1,641.87 97.7 N/A N/A 1,641.87 69.1 

Retention bonus (2nd bonus) N/A N/A 621.69 89.1 621.69 26.1 

Total Bonuses Received 1,641.87 97.7 621.69 89.1 2,263.55 95.2 

Intensive services 0.00 0.0 0.00 0.0 0.00 0.0 

Training 27.98 1.7 9.58 1.4 37.55 1.6 

Supportive services 10.54 0.6 66.27 9.5 76.82 3.2 

Total Services Received 38.52 2.3 75.85 10.9 114.37 4.8 

Total Average Expenditure 1,680.39 100.0 697.54 100.0 2,377.93 100.0 

Total Average Expenditure as 

Percent of $3,000 

56.0 23.3 79.3 

Total Number of Recipients 81 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

Note: Restricted to recipients with entry dates prior to July 2006 in order to observe the full one-year cycle of 

the account. Also restricted to recipients with valid service transaction dates. 
B-24 

Appendix B 

Table B.11c. Average Expenditures for All PRA Users Before and After Bonus 

Qualification Period, by State

 MONTANA 

 Within the First 13 Weeks 13+ weeks All PRA Users 

 Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Reemployment bonus (1st bonus) 210.64 48.0 N/A N/A 210.64 15.7 

Retention bonus (2nd bonus) N/A N/A 81.89 9.0 81.89 6.1 

Total Bonuses Received 210.64 48.0 81.89 9.0 292.52 21.7 

Intensive services 0.00 0.0 0.00 0.0 0.00 0.0 

Training 0.00 0.0 158.62 17.5 158.62 11.8 

Supportive services 228.52 52.0 665.75 73.5 894.26 66.5 

Total Services Received 228.52 52.0 824.36 91.0 1,052.88 78.3 

Total Average Expenditure 439.15 100.0 906.25 100.0 1,345.40 100.0 

Total Average Expenditure as 

Percent of $3,000 

 14.6 30.2 44.9 

Total Number of Recipients 23 

 TEXAS 

 Within the First 13 Weeks 13+ weeks All PRA Users 

 Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Reemployment bonus (1st bonus) 504.26 42.7 N/A N/A 504.26 21.1 

Retention bonus (2nd bonus) N/A N/A 225.61 18.7 225.61 9.5 

Total Bonuses Received 504.26 42.7 

 225.61 18.7 729.87 30.6 

Intensive services 0.00 0.0 0.22 0.0 0.22 0.0 

Training 212.46 18.0 122.77 10.2 335.22 14.0 

Supportive services 463.00 39.3 858.84 71.1 1,321.85 55.4 

Total Services Received 675.46 57.3 981.83 81.3 1,657.29 69.4 

Total Average Expenditure 1,179.72 100.0 1,207.44 100.0 2,387.16 100.0 

Total Average Expenditure as 

Percent of $3,000 

39.3 40.3 79.6 

Total Number of Recipients 492 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

Note: Restricted to recipients with entry dates prior to July 2006 in order to observe the full one-year cycle of 

the account. Also restricted to recipients with valid service transaction dates. 
 B-25 

 Appendix B 

Table B.11d. Average Expenditures for All PRA Users Before and After Bonus 

Qualification Period, by State

 WEST VIRGINIA 

 Within the First 13 Weeks 13+ weeks All PRA Users 

 Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Reemployment bonus (1st bonus) 1,287.37 84.5 N/A N/A 1,287.37 54.2 

Retention bonus (2nd bonus) N/A N/A 719.37 84.5 719.37 30.3 

Total Bonuses Received 1,287.37 84.5 719.37 84.5 2,006.74 84.5 

Intensive services 24.58 1.6 0.00 0.0 24.58 1.0 

Training 195.05 12.8 98.52 11.6 293.58 12.4 

Supportive services 17.40 1.1 33.36 3.9 50.76 2.1 

Total Services Received 237.03 15.6 131.88 15.5 368.91 15.5 

Total Average Expenditure 1,524.40 100.0 851.25 100.0 2,375.65 100.0 

Total Average Expenditure as 

Percent of $3,000 

50.8 28.4 79.2 

Total Number of Recipients 133 

 ALL STATES 

 Within the First 13 Weeks 13+ weeks All PRA Users 

 Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Reemployment bonus (1st bonus) 735.70 58.0 N/A N/A 735.70 31.5 

Retention bonus (2nd bonus) N/A N/A 348.44 32.6 348.44 14.9 

Total Bonuses Received 735.70 58.0 348.44 32.6 1,084.14 46.4 

Intensive services 12.57 1.0 0.19 0.0 12.76 0.6 

Training 117.24 9.2 92.72 8.7 209.96 9.0 

Supportive services 403.45 31.8 628.03 58.7 1,031.48 44.1 

Total Services Received 533.26 42.0 720.93 67.4 1,254.19 53.6 

Total Average Expenditure 1,268.96 100.0 1,069.37 100.0 2,338.33 100.0 

Total Average Expenditure as 

Percent of $3,000 

 42.3 35.7 77.9 

Total Number of Recipients 1,536 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

Note: Restricted to recipients with entry dates prior to July 2006 in order to observe the full one-year cycle of 

the account. Also restricted to recipients with valid service transaction dates. 
B-26 

Appendix B 

Table B.12a. Average Expenditures for All PRA Users Before and After Bonus 

Qualification Period, by User Group 

 BONUS FOCUSED 

 Within the First 13 Weeks 13+ weeks All PRA Users 

 Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Reemployment bonus (1st bonus) 1,788.76 99.1 N/A N/A 1,788.76 66.4 

Retention bonus (2nd bonus) N/A N/A 863.44 97.1 863.44 32.1 

Total Bonuses Received 1,788.76 99.1 863.44 97.1 2,652.20 98.4 

Intensive services 4.00 0.2 0.00 0.0 4.00 0.2 

Training 1.19 0.0 0.06 0.0 1.25 0.1 

Supportive services 10.83 0.6 25.99 2.9 36.82 1.4 

Total Services Received 16.02 0.9 26.05 2.9 42.07 1.6 

Total Average Expenditure 1,804.77 100.0 889.49 100.0 2,694.27 100.0 

Total Average Expenditure as 

Percent of $3,000 

 60.2 29.7 89.8 

Total Number of Recipients 603 

 SUPPORT SERVICE FOCUSED 

 Within the First 13 Weeks 13+ weeks All PRA Users 

 Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Reemployment bonus (1st bonus) 112.69 5.4 N/A N/A 112.69 4.1 

Retention bonus (2nd bonus) N/A N/A 36.96 5.7 36.96 1.4 

Total Bonuses Received 112.69 5.4 36.96 5.7 149.65 5.5 

Intensive services 11.39 0.6 0.00 0.0 11.39 0.4 

Training 61.50 3.0 18.07 2.8 79.57 2.9 

Supportive services 1,891.67 91.1 595.65 91.5 2,487.31 91.2 

Total Services Received 1,964.55 94.6 613.72 94.3 2,578.27 94.5 

Total Average Expenditure 2,077.24 100.0 650.68 100.0 2,727.92 100.0 

Total Average Expenditure as 

Percent of $3,000 

 69.2 21.7 90.9 

Total Number of Recipients 315 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

Note: Restricted to recipients with entry dates prior to July 2006 in order to observe the full one-year cycle of 

the account. Also restricted to recipients with valid service transaction dates. 
 B-27 

 Appendix B 

Table B.12b. Average Expenditures for All PRA Users Before and After Bonus 

Qualification Period, by User Group 

 OTHER USERS 

 Within the First 13 Weeks 13+ weeks All PRA Users 

 Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Reemployment bonus (1st bonus) 280.83 31.7 N/A N/A 280.83 17.0 

Retention bonus (2nd bonus) N/A N/A 122.65 15.9 122.65 7.4 

Total Bonuses Received 280.83 31.7 122.65 15.9 403.48 24.4 

Intensive services 33.97 3.8 0.00 0.0 33.97 2.1 

Training 397.00 44.9 78.02 10.1 475.02 28.7 

Supportive services 173.18 19.6 569.96 74.0 743.14 44.9 

 

Total Services Received 604.15 68.3 647.98 84.1 1,252.13 75.6 

Total Average Expenditure 884.98 100.0 770.63 100.0 1,655.61 100.0 

Total Average Expenditure as 

Percent of $3,000 

 29.5 25.7 55.2 

Total Number of Recipients 447 

 INITIAL NONUSERS 

 Within the First 13 Weeks 13+ weeks All PRA Users 

 Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Reemployment bonus (1st bonus) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Retention bonus (2nd bonus) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Total Bonuses Received N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Intensive services N/A N/A 0.99 0.0 0.99 0.0 

Training N/A N/A 361.32 16.2 361.32 16.2 

Supportive services N/A N/A 1,875.46 83.8 1,875.46 83.8 

Total Services Received N/A N/A 2,237.78 100.0 2,237.78 100.0 

Total Average Expenditure N/A N/A 2,237.78 100.0 2,237.78 100.0 

Total Average Expenditure as 

Percent of $3,000 

 N/A 74.6 74.6 

Total Number of Recipients 320 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

Note: Restricted to recipients with entry dates prior to July 2006 in order to observe the full one-year cycle of 

the account. Also restricted to recipients with valid service transaction dates. 
B-28 

Appendix B 

Table B.12c. Average Expenditures for All PRA Users Before and After Bonus 

Qualification Period, by User Group 

 ALL USERS 

 Within the First 13 Weeks 13+ weeks All PRA Users 

 Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Average 

Amount 

(in dollars) 

Percent 

of Total 

Reemployment bonus (1st bonus) 735.70 58.0 N/A N/A 735.70 31.5 

Retention bonus (2nd bonus) N/A N/A 348.44 32.6 348.44 14.9 

Total Bonuses Received 735.70 348.44 32.6 1,084.14 46.4 

Intensive services 12.57 1.0 0.19 0.0 12.76 0.5 

Training 117.24 9.2 92.72 8.7 209.96 9.0 

Supportive services 403.45 31.8 628.03 58.7 1,031.48 44.1 

Total Services Received 533.26 42.0 720.93 67.4 1,254.19 53.6 

Total Average Expenditure 1,268.96 100.0 1,069.37 100.0 2,338.33 100.0 

Total Average Expenditure as 

Percent of $3,000 

 42.3 35.7 77.9 

Total Number of Recipients 1,685 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

Note: Restricted to recipients with entry dates prior to July 2006 in order to observe the full one-year cycle of 

the account. Also restricted to recipients with valid service transaction dates. 
 B-29 

 Appendix B 

Table B.13. PRA Closure (Percentages, Unless Stated Otherwise) 

 All Recipients 

Florida Idaho Minnesota Mississippi Montana Texas 

West 

Virginia 

All 

States

Length of open PRA 

account 

0-13 weeks 11 4 12 10 8 5 6 8 

14-26 weeks 10 7 17 2 3 10 31 13 

27-39 weeks 44 25 20 15 19 37 42 32 

40-51 weeks 11 8 9 9 12 15 9 11 

52 weeks 24 58 41 65 59 33 13 36 

Average 35 43 37 43 43 39 32 38 

Median 34 52 40 52 52 39 30 38 

Primary reasons for PRA 

closure 

 

Funds exhausted 52 24 39 23 15 37 29 36 

Time expired (one year 

from date of issue) 

15 57 40 64 54 29 12 32 

Participant withdrawal 0 0 0 0 0 28 0 9 

Participant moved and 

account not 

transferable 

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Inactivity within 

required time frame 

0 0 16 0 0 0 51 10 

Other 4 0 2 0 0 2 0 2 

Became employed 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 

Unknown 18 19 3 14 31 4 7 8 

Total Number of Closed 

Accounts 

430 170 460 200 65 714 303 2,342 

Source: Calculations based on PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

Note: Restricted to recipients with entry dates prior to July 2006 in order to observe the full one-year 

cycle of the account. 
B-30 

Appendix B 

Table B.14. UI Receipt, Employment, and Earnings of PRA Recipients (Percentages, 

Unless Stated Otherwise) 

 All Recipients 

 Florida Idaho Minnesota Mississippi Montana Texas 

West 

Virginia All States 

UI Eligibility 

Percent eligible for 26 weeks 35.7 99.8 --- 71.4 21.4 30.7 100.0 60.6 

Average number of weeks 21.5 26.0 -- 23.6 19.8 22.0 26.0 23.5 

Average weekly benefit amount $237.24 $268.49 $365.18 $185.94 $228.07 $301.15 $319.32 $294.54 

UI Receipt 

0-13 weeks 53.8 36.6 28.7 53.0 27.8 30.9 41.5 37.3 

14-28 weeks 46.2 63.4 71.3 47.0 72.2 69.1 58.5 62.7 

Average duration 14.4 17.0 18.0 14.4 15.4 16.5 17.0 16.5 

Average amount $1,456.44 $6,984.22 $7,077.70 $2,753.80 $3,605.96 $5,098.69 $5,415.96 $5144.26 

UI Exhaust 

Percent who exhaust benefits 36.4 20.6 -- 35.7 60.3 52.8 39.1 40.2 

Percent who come within one 

month of exhausting 

11.0 16.8 -- 6.5 7.9 7.8 6.9 9.7 

Percent who do not come within 

one month of exhausting 

52.7 62.6 -- 57.8 31.7 39.3 54 50.0 

Consistent Employment 

Following Entry:a

 

In two consecutive quarters 72.3 30.7 65.4 83.0 26.1 65.8 37.7 56.1 

In three consecutive quarters 55.8 17.7 39.6 68.0 19.1 43.8 27.0 38.3 

Employment In: 

Quarter Prior to PRA Entry 93.7 49.7 91.7 82.5 37.6 85.7 63.9 76.7 

Same quarter as PRA receipt 70.5 42.9 78.1 77.5 28.7 63.6 53.8 62.2 

One quarter of PRA receipt 67.0 29.1 56.4 82.5 23.6 56.8 33.5 50.3 

Two quarters of PRA receipt 73.5 33.7 71.7 84.5 26.8 67.7 38.9 58.8 

Three quarters of PRA receipt 73.7 23.4 57.8 81.0 28.7 65.9 41.9 54.2 

Average Earnings In:b 

Quarter prior to PRA entry $7,453.55 $7,887.17 $11,119.28 $4,884.62 $7,026.89 $8,635.85 $8,880.69 $8,751.60 

Entry quarter $3,531.29 $4,895.55 $6,205.45 $4,886.64 $3,170.20 $6,503.31 $7,470.88 $5,734.99 

Quarter 1 following PRA entry $5,281.46 $4,131.96 $6,580.54 $4,907.19 $3,458.40 $5,612.47 $5,356.90 $5,511.40 

Quarter 2 following PRA entry $5,961.32 $4,891.56 $8,203.61 $5,362.95 $3,917.81 $5,821.59 $5,899.00 $6,317.68 

Quarter 3 following PRA entry $6,435.56 $5,387.47 $9,237.40 $5,279.81 $4,389.95 $6,950.32 $6,505.85 $7,005.87 

Median Earnings In:b 

Quarter prior to PRA entry $5,571.59 $6,541.56 $9,083.92 $4,600.00 $5,529.60 $6,432.32 $8,252.40 $6,920.47 

Entry quarter $2,261.25 $3,648.99 $4,667.25 $4,210.25 $1,836.67 $2,942.00 $5,600.00 $3,775.09 

Quarter 1 following PRA entry $4,520.52 $2,891.17 $5,317.75 $4,247.23 $2,566.09 $3,904.50 $4,386.50 $4,384.31 

Quarter 2 following PRA entry $5,498.97 $4,136.17 $7,429.67 $4,359.12 $3,418.53 $4,079.26 $4,909.62 $5,356.57 

Quarter 3 following PRA entry $5,493.94 $5,112.40 $8,463.58 $4,718.34 $3,780.71 $5,803.39 $5,320.85 $5,803.90 

Total Number of Recipients 430 475 690 200 157 740 504 3,196 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA and UI data from seven demonstration states. 

Note: Restricted to PRA recipients with three quarters of earnings data following the PRA entry quarter. 

c

Consistent employment in two consecutive quarters is defined as employed in the first and second quarters after PRA 

receipt, or in the second and third quarters after PRA receipt. Consistent employment in three consecutive quarters is 

defined as employed in the first, second, and third quarters after PRA receipt. b

Average and median earnings restricted to those PRA recipients who were employed. 
 B-31 

 Appendix B 

Table B.15a. Characteristics of Employment for Employment Entry (First) Bonus Earners 

(Percentages, Unless Stated Otherwise) 

Florida Idaho Minnesota Mississippi 

Prior to UI 

Receipt 

At 

Employment 

Reentry 

Prior to UI 

Receipt 

At 

Employment 

Reentry 

Prior to UI 

Receipt 

At 

Employment 

Reentry 

Prior to UI 

Receipt 

At 

Employment 

Reentry 

Industry 

Natural resources and mining 1.0 6.7 2.9 0.0 0.6 1.1 0.7 

Construction 5.8 13.3 2.9 0.0 0.0 10.8 10.6 

Manufacturing 7.9 13.3 20.2 22.2 21.5 24.0 16.7 

Trade, transport, utilities 14.1 6.7 21.2 25.6 25.3 18.3 20.9 

Information 3.1 13.3 3.8 1.7 1.3 1.4 1.1 

Financial activities 8.9 13.3 2.9 13.9 20.3 4.3 4.6 

Professional and business services 26.7 6.7 12.5 20.0 13.9 12.5 7.8 

Education and health services 18.8 13.3 12.5 7.2 7.6 8.6 9.2 

Leisure and hospitality 7.3 13.3 7.7 2.8 4.4 9.7 17.4 

Other services 3.1 0.0 3.8 6.1 5.1 4.3 8.5 

Public administration 3.1 0.0 9.6 0.6 0.0 5.0 2.5 

Occupation 

Management 23.4 12.1 13.2 6.6 19.1 14.7 6.3 3.8 

Business and financial operations 5.5 9.6 8.8 5.3 10.3 10.7 2.0 1.7 

Computer and mathematical 2.3 2.5 4.4 3.9 8.8 6.7 0.8 0.7 

Architecture and engineering 4.6 2.5 0.9 1.3 8.1 6.0 3.5 1.7 

Life, physical, and social science 1.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Community and social services 3.7 2.5 1.8 2.6 2.2 2.7 0.8 1.4 

Legal 0.5 1.3 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 

Education, training, and library 4.1 5.1 0.0 0.0 0.7 0.7 2.4 2.4 

Arts, design, entertainment, sports, 

and media 

1.8 0.6 1.8 2.6 0.7 0.0 1.2 0.7 

Healthcare practitioners and technical 2.3 1.9 4.4 2.6 0.0 0.0 2.0 0.7 

Healthcare support 2.8 2.5 1.8 5.3 0.0 0.0 2.4 3.1 

Protective service 2.8 2.5 3.5 1.3 0.0 1.3 2.4 2.4 

Food preparation and serving related 3.2 3.2 3.5 3.9 2.2 2.0 7.1 8.4 

Building and grounds cleaning and 

maintenance 

0.5 1.3 0.9 3.9 0.7 3.3 2.4 5.6 

Personal care and service 0.5 0.0 0.0 1.3 0.0 0.0 1.6 4.2 

Sales and related 7.3 14.6 7.0 9.2 18.4 17.3 11.8 9.4 

Office and administrative support 15.1 17.2 18.4 21.1 11.8 14.0 15.0 15.7 

Farming, fishing, and forestry 0.9 0.0 0.9 1.3 0.0 0.7 0.4 0.3 

Construction and extraction 2.3 4.5 4.4 7.9 2.2 0.7 11.0 8.0 

Installation, maintenance, and repair 2.3 7.6 6.1 5.3 3.7 4.0 2.0 3.8 

Production 6.4 3.8 11.4 3.9 7.4 12.7 16.1 12.6 

Transportation and material moving 5.5 3.8 3.5 10.5 2.9 2.7 8.7 12.6 

Military specific 0.5 0.6 2.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 

Hours Worked Per Week 

Less than 20 2.3 0.0 1.8 1.3 5.8 0.0 0.7 0.0 

20 to 34 0.0 1.7 4.4 0.0 13.2 1.5 5.2 0.7 

35 or more 97.7 98.3 93.9 98.7 81.0 98.5 94.1 99.3 

Average 39.4 39.4 39.9 38.0 38.2 40.8 44.6 41.3 

Median 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 
B-32 

Appendix B 

Florida Idaho Minnesota Mississippi 

Prior to UI 

Receipt 

At 

Employment 

Reentry 

Prior to UI 

Receipt 

At 

Employment 

Reentry 

Prior to UI 

Receipt 

At 

Employment 

Reentry 

Prior to UI 

Receipt 

At 

Employment 

Reentry 

Hourly Rate of Pay 

Less than $10.00 15.6 30.0 13.2 30.3 5.3 4.6 38.2 42.4 

$10.00 – $19.99 66.7 57.8 63.2 52.6 47.1 60.2 52.7 37.8 

$20.00 – $29.99 11.5 7.8 19.3 9.2 26.5 21.4 8.1 2.2 

$30.00 – $39.99 3.1 1.7 2.6 3.9 13.8 9.2 0.4 0.0 

$40.00 – $49.99 0.0 1.1 0.9 2.6 3.7 4.1 0.7 0.4 

$ 50.00 or more 3.1 1.7 0.9 1.3 3.7 0.5 0.0 17.3 

Average $15.35 $13.75 $16.69 $14.69 $22.97 $19.82 $12.17 $10.46 

Median $13.00 $11.52 $15.54 $13.00 $19.81 $17.36 $11.00 $9.50 

Total Number of First Bonus 

Recipients 

 222 122 199 286 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA data on earners of the first bonus from seven demonstration 

states. 
 B-33 

 Appendix B 

Table B.15b. Characteristics of Employment for Employment Entry (First) Bonus Earners 

(Percentages, Unless Stated Otherwise) 

 Montana Texas West Virginia All States Prior to UI Receipt At Employment Reentry Prior to UI Receipt At Employment Reentry Prior to UI Receipt At Employment Reentry Prior to UI Receipt At Employment 

Reentry 

Industry 

Natural resources and mining 0.0 0.0 1.7 1.1 16.4 13.8 3.2 3.4 

Construction 10.0 0.0 2.9 6.5 4.1 7.2 5.2 6.9 

Manufacturing 10.0 0.0 27.6 18.3 19.9 11.8 20.4 17.0 

Trade, transport, utilities 50.0 0.0 16.1 15.6 27.4 25.0 20.2 21.0 

Information 10.0 0.0 2.3 0.5 1.4 1.3 2.2 1.3 

Financial activities 10.0 0.0 9.2 10.2 4.1 3.3 7.4 8.9 

Professional and business services 0.0 0.0 17.2 19.4 6.2 13.8 16.1 12.8 

Education and health services 0.0 0.0 16.1 14.5 8.9 9.2 11.7 10.2 

Leisure and hospitality 0.0 100.0 1.7 6.5 1.4 4.6 5.4 9.8 

Other services 0.0 0.0 5.2 4.8 8.9 5.3 5.1 6.2 

Public administration 10.0 0.0 0.0 2.7 1.4 4.6 3.1 2.4 

Occupation 

Management 10.0 0.0 9.5 8.6 9.0 9.3 13.3 8.6 

Business and financial operations 0.0 0.0 4.2 4.9 3.8 4.0 5.1 5.5 

Computer and mathematical 0.0 0.0 1.2 1.6 0.8 0.0 2.6 2.2 

Architecture and engineering 0.0 0.0 2.4 1.1 0.8 2.0 3.5 2.4 

Life, physical, and social science 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.3 1.3 0.8 0.2 

Community and social services 10.0 0.0 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.6 1.4 

Legal 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.5 1.5 0.7 0.6 0.4 

Education, training, and library 0.0 0.0 0.6 1.1 0.0 0.0 1.6 1.8 

Arts, design, entertainment, sports, 

and media 

0.0 0.0 1.2 1.6 2.3 2.6 1.5 1.2 

Healthcare practitioners and technical 0.0 0.0 3.6 3.8 3.0 1.3 2.4 1.6 

Healthcare support 0.0 0.0 3.6 0.5 3.0 2.6 2.3 2.2 

Protective service 0.0 0.0 0.6 1.6 0.8 2.0 1.7 2.0 

Food preparation and serving related 0.0 0.0 2.4 3.2 0.0 4.0 3.5 4.7 

Building and grounds cleaning and 

maintenance 

0.0 0.0 1.8 3.2 0.0 0.0 1.2 3.2 

Personal care and service 0.0 0.0 2.4 2.2 0.0 1.3 0.9 1.9 

Sales and related 30.0 0.0 8.3 10.8 9.0 13.9 10.5 12.3 

Office and administrative support 30.0 100.0 28.0 28.1 21.8 17.2 18.1 18.7 

Farming, fishing, and forestry 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.8 0.0 0.5 0.3 

Construction and extraction 10.0 0.0 3.0 4.9 15.0 6.6 6.5 5.6 

Installation, maintenance, and repair 0.0 0.0 3.6 2.2 9.8 10.6 4.0 5.3 

Production 0.0 0.0 18.5 13.0 6.8 6.6 11.4 9.7 

Transportation and material moving 10.0 0.0 4.2 7.0 8.3 13.9 5.9 8.7 

Military specific 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.5 0.0 0.6 0.2 

Hours Worked Per Week 

Less than 20 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 . 0.0 2.0 0.1 

20 to 34 33.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 . 2.0 5.6 1.0 

35 or more 66.7 100.0 100.0 100.0 . 98.0 92.4 98.9 

Average 38.0 40.0 40.9 40.3 . 43.1 41.2 40.7 

Median 40 40 40 40 . 40 40 40 
B-34 

Appendix B 

Hourly Rate of Pay 

Less than $10.00 44.4 100.0 24.3 28.3 29.8 29.0 23.6 28.2 

$10.00 – $19.99 44.4 0.0 53.1 55.4 45.7 54.5 53.1 51.7 

$20.00 – $29.99 0.0 0.0 11.9 10.3 20.5 13.8 15.5 10.2 

$30.00 – $39.99 11.1 0.0 5.1 3.3 2.6 2.1 4.6 3.1 

$40.00 – $49.99 0.0 0.0 2.3 2.2 0.7 0.0 1.5 1.6 

$ 50.00 or more 0.0 0.0 3.4 0.5 0.7 0.7 1.8 5.2 

Average $13.52 $7.00 $18.20 $14.38 $14.40 $14.08 $16.29 $14.23 

Median $10.00 $7.00 $12.55 $11.92 $13.86 $13.22 $13.75 $12.00 

Total Number of First Bonus 

Recipients 

 12 186 152 1,179 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA data on earners of the first bonus from seven demonstration 

states. 
Table B.16a. Characteristics of Employment For Retention (Second) Bonus Earners (Percentages, Unless Stated O

 Florida Idaho Minnesota Miss

Prior to UI 

Receipt 

At 

Employment 

Reentry 

At 

Employment 

Retention 

Prior to UI 

Receipt 

At 

Employment 

Reentry 

At 

Employment 

Retention 

Prior to UI 

Receipt 

At 

Employment 

Reentry 

At 

Employment 

Retention 

Prior to UI 

Receipt 

At 

Employment 

Reentry 

Industry 

Natural resources and mining 1.4 7.7 7.1 3.7 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Construction 7.0 15.4 14.3 3.7 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 9.8 6.9 Manufacturing 9.8 15.4 14.3 18.5 0 0 20.4 16.3 15.9 11.8 17.6 Trade, transport, utilities 16.8 7.7 7.1 18.5 0 0 24.7 25.0 26.8 23.5 21.6 Information 2.8 15.4 14.3 1.9 0 0 3.2 2.5 3.7 2.9 1.0 Financial activities 7.0 0.0 0.0 3.7 0 0 12.9 21.3 19.5 3.9 7.8 Professional and business services 25.9 7.7 7.1 7.4 0 0 23.7 16.3 15.9 8.8 8.8 Education and health services 18.2 15.4 21.4 22.2 0 0 6.5 8.8 8.5 14.7 12.7 Leisure and hospitality 5.6 15.4 14.3 5.6 0 0 2.2 6.3 6.1 10.8 11.8 Other services 2.8 0.0 0.0 3.7 0 0 5.4 3.8 3.7 7.8 8.8 Public administration 2.8 0.0 0.0 11.1 0 0 1.1 0.0 0.0 5.9 2.9 

Occupation 

Management 25.8 13.1 13.9 12.1 9.6 9.6 20.9 12.8 12.7 7.4 3.8 Business and financial operations 4.3 9.5 9.5 3.4 5.8 5.8 9.0 11.5 11.4 1.1 2.9 Computer and mathematical 1.8 2.2 2.2 6.9 5.8 5.8 13.4 7.7 7.6 2.1 1.9 Architecture and engineering 4.9 1.5 1.5 1.7 1.9 1.9 10.4 6.4 6.3 2.1 1.0 Life, physical, and social science 2.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Community and social services 3.7 2.9 2.9 1.7 1.9 1.9 3.0 3.8 3.8 1.1 1.9 Legal 0.6 1.5 1.5 1.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Education, training, and library 4.3 5.8 5.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 6.4 4.8 Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media 

2.5 0.7 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.5 0.0 0.0 1.1 0.0 

Healthcare practitioners and technical 2.5 2.2 2.2 8.6 3.8 3.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.2 1.9 Healthcare support 2.5 2.9 2.9 3.4 5.8 5.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.2 2.9 Protective service 3.7 2.9 2.9 3.4 1.9 1.9 0.0 1.3 1.3 2.1 1.9 Food preparation and serving related 2.5 2.9 2.9 3.4 0.0 0.0 1.5 3.8 3.8 6.4 6.7 Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance 

0.0 0.7 0.7 0.0 3.8 3.8 1.5 5.1 5.1 2.1 2.9 

Personal care and service 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.9 1.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.1 6.7 Sales and related 6.7 13.1 12.4 1.7 9.6 9.6 17.9 17.9 17.7 10.6 9.6 Office and administrative support 13.5 18.2 18.2 24.1 21.2 21.2 10.4 11.5 11.4 16.0 20.2 Farming, fishing, and forestry 1.2 0.0 0.0 1.7 1.9 1.9 0.0 0.0 1.3 0.0 0.0 Construction and extraction 2.5 4.4 4.4 3.4 7.7 7.7 1.5 0.0 0.0 10.6 5.8 Installation, maintenance, and repair 3.1 7.3 8.0 5.2 1.9 1.9 1.5 2.6 2.5 2.1 3.8 Production 6.1 4.4 4.4 10.3 3.8 3.8 6.0 15.4 15.2 14.9 9.6 Transportation and material moving 4.3 2.9 2.9 6.9 11.5 11.5 1.5 0.0 0.0 6.4 11.5 Military specific 0.6 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Table B16a (continued) 

 Florida Idaho Minnesota Miss

Prior to UI 

Receipt 

At 

Employment 

Reentry 

At 

Employment 

Retention 

Prior to UI 

Receipt 

At 

Employment 

Reentry 

At 

Employment 

Retention 

Prior to UI 

Receipt 

At 

Employment 

Reentry 

At 

Employment 

Retention 

Prior to UI 

Receipt 

At 

Employment 

Reentry 

Hours Worked Per Week 

Less than 20 1.6 0.0 0.0 1.7 0.0 0.0 4.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 20 to 34 0.0 1.3 1.3 5.2 0.0 0.0 11.0 1.9 1.6 6.7 0.0 

35 or more 98.4 98.7 98.7 93.1 100.0 100.0 85.0 98.1 98.4 92.3 100.0 

Average 39.7 39.5 39.6 40.3 38.5 38.5 39.1 40.9 41.3 43.8 41.4 

Median 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 

Hourly Rate of Pay 

Less than $10.00 10.1 27.2 24.1 10.3 25.0 25.0 4.0 2.0 1.4 40.2 42.6 $10.00 – $19.99 68.1 60.8 63.3 60.3 53.8 53.8 49.5 62.7 63.9 47.1 36.6 $20.00 – $29.99 14.5 7.6 8.2 20.7 9.6 9.6 28.3 20.6 22.2 10.8 2.0 $30.00 – $39.99 2.9 1.9 1.9 5.2 5.8 5.8 13.1 9.8 6.9 1.0 0.0 $40.00 – $49.99 0.0 0.6 0.6 1.7 3.8 3.8 1.0 3.9 5.6 1.0 1.0 $ 50.00 or more 4.3 1.9 1.9 1.7 1.9 1.9 4.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 17.8 Average $16.00 $13.90 $14.08 $17.79 $15.84 $15.84 $23.19 $20.20 $20.00 $12.43 $10.9Median $13.13 $11.89 $12.00 $15.39 $13.25 $13.25 $19.52 $17.90 $17.64 $11.10 $9.8

Percent of bonus recipients who changed jobs between bonus 1 and bonus 2 

4.2 9.8 44.7 83.5 

Total Number of Second Bonus Recipients 167 61 103 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA data on earners of the second bonus from seven demonstration states. 
Table B.16b. Characteristics of Employment For Retention (Second) Bonus Earners (Percentages, Unless Stated O

Montana Texas West Virginia 

Prior to UI 

Receipt 

At 

Employment 

Reentry 

At 

Employment 

Retention 

Prior to UI 

Receipt 

At 

Employment 

Reentry 

At 

Employment 

Retention 

Prior to UI 

Receipt 

At 

Employment 

Reentry 

At 

Employment 

Retention 

Prior to UI 

Receipt 

Industry 

Natural resources and mining 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.8 1.7 1.7 13.0 14.0 14.0 3.2 Construction 14.3 0.0 0.0 3.5 6.7 8.3 2.8 6.1 6.1 4.8 Manufacturing 0.0 0.0 0.0 29.8 20.0 24.2 21.3 11.4 11.4 18.0 Trade, transport, utilities 57.1 0.0 0.0 15.8 15.0 11.7 30.6 27.2 26.3 21.9 Information 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.8 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.9 0.9 2.3 Financial activities 14.3 0.0 0.0 9.6 9.2 9.2 4.6 4.4 5.3 7.2 Professional and business services 0.0 0.0 0.0 16.7 20.0 20.0 7.4 10.5 10.5 15.9 Education and health services 0.0 0.0 0.0 14.0 15.8 15.8 10.2 9.6 9.6 13.8 Leisure and hospitality 0.0 100.0 100.0 2.6 5.8 3.3 1.9 6.1 6.1 4.7 Other services 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.4 3.3 3.3 6.5 5.3 5.3 5.0 Public administration 14.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.5 2.5 0.9 4.4 4.4 3.1 

Occupation 

Management 0.0 0.0 0.0 13.0 10.1 10.1 9.9 11.5 10.6 15.7 Business and financial operations 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.8 5.9 6.7 5.0 3.5 3.5 4.0 Computer and mathematical 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.9 0.8 1.7 1.0 0.0 0.0 3.5 Architecture and engineering 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.8 0.8 0.8 1.0 2.7 2.7 3.7 Life, physical, and social science 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.8 1.8 0.7 Community and social services 14.3 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.0 Legal 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.8 0.8 2.0 0.9 0.9 0.8 Education, training, and library 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.7 2.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.2 Arts, design, entertainment, sports,  and media 

0.0 0.0 0.0 1.9 2.5 2.5 1.0 1.8 1.8 1.5 

Healthcare practitioners and technical 

0.0 0.0 0.0 2.8 4.2 4.2 4.0 1.8 1.8 3.2 

Healthcare support 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.8 0.0 0.0 3.0 2.7 2.7 2.5 Protective service 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.8 1.7 1.0 1.8 1.8 1.8 Food preparation and serving related 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.8 1.7 1.7 0.0 4.4 4.4 2.7 Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance 

0.0 0.0 0.0 2.8 3.4 3.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 

Personal care and service 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.8 1.7 0.8 0.0 1.8 1.8 0.8 Sales and related 28.6 0.0 0.0 8.3 8.4 6.7 9.9 12.4 12.4 9.2 Office and administrative support 28.6 100.0 100.0 27.8 27.7 25.2 23.8 18.6 18.6 19.1 Farming, fishing, and forestry 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 Construction and extraction 14.3 0.0 0.0 1.9 4.2 5.0 12.9 5.3 5.3 5.5 Installation, maintenance, and repair 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.7 2.5 2.5 10.9 10.6 11.5 4.3 Production 0.0 0.0 0.0 17.6 16.0 18.5 7.9 6.2 6.2 10.2 Transportation and material moving 14.3 0.0 0.0 2.8 6.7 5.0 6.9 12.4 12.4 4.8 Military specific 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 
Table B16b (continued)

Montana Texas West Virginia 

Prior to UI 

Receipt 

At 

Employment 

Reentry 

At 

Employment 

Retention 

Prior to UI 

Receipt 

At 

Employment 

Reentry 

At 

Employment 

Retention 

Prior to UI 

Receipt 

At 

Employment 

Reentry 

At 

Employment 

Retention 

Prior to UI 

Receipt 

Hours Worked Per Week 

Less than 20 0.0 0.0 --- 0.0 0.0 0.0 --- 0.0 0.0 1.6 20 to 34 33.3 0.0 --- 0.0 0.0 0.0 --- 2.6 0.0 5.2 

35 or more 66.7 100.0 --- 100.0 100.0 100.0 --- 97.4 100.0 93.2 

Average 37.5 40.0 --- 40.9 40.4 40.6 --- 42.8 48.2 40.9 Median 40 40 --- 40 40 40 --- 40 40 40 

Hourly Rate of Pay 

Less than $10.00 50.0 100.0 --- 22.8 23.3 16.7 27.2 28.2 25.0 21.0 

$10.00 – $19.99 33.3 0.0 --- 51.8 59.2 64.2 47.4 57.3 50.0 52.3 $20.00 – $29.99 0.0 0.0 --- 12.3 10.0 10.8 22.8 10.9 25.0 18.0 $30.00 – $39.99 16.7 0.0 --- 6.1 4.2 5.0 1.8 2.7 0.0 5.2 $40.00 – $49.99 0.0 0.0 --- 1.8 2.5 2.5 0.9 0.0 0.0 1.1 $ 50.00 or more 0.0 0.0 --- 5.3 0.8 0.8 0.0 0.9 0.0 2.5 Average $13.73 $7.00 --- $20.60 $15.33 $16.09 $14.37 $14.15 $13.57 $17.24 Median $9.50 $7.00 --- $13.32 $12.50 $13.47 $14.46 $12.96 $13.37 $14.41 

Percent of bonus recipients who changed jobs between bonus 1 and bonus 2 

28.6 --- 10.0 100.0 29.5 

Total Number of Second Bonus Recipients 7 120 114 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA data on earners of the second bonus from seven demonstration states. 
A PPENDIX C 

D ETAILED D ATA T ABLES ON S UBGROUPS
C-2 

Appendix C 

Table C.1. Characteristics of Recipients at PRA Entry, by PRA Offer Decision 

(Percentages, Unless Stated Otherwise) 

 Accepters Decliners All Offers 

Gender 

Male 50.3 54.2** 51.1 

Female 49.7 45.8** 48.9 

Age 

Less than 25 years 7.1 7.2 7.1 

25 to 34 years 20.1 14.2*** 18.8 

35 to 44 years 25.1 19.8*** 23.9 

45 to 54 years 29.5 29.5 29.5 

55 years and over 18.2 29.3*** 20.7 

Average age in years 42.8 46.1*** 43.5 

Median age in years 44 48 45 

Ethnicity/Race 

Non-Hispanic, white 65.9 81.2*** 69.3 

Non-Hispanic, black 21.8 9.2*** 19.0 

Non-Hispanic, other races 2.7 2.3 2.6 

Hispanic, any race 9.6 7.3** 9.1 

Educational Attainment 

Less than high school diploma / GED 10.4 11.3 10.6 

High school diploma / GED 43.1 50.0*** 44.7 

Some college / 2 year degree 32.1 27.5** 31.1 

Completed 4 year college 10.2 6.9*** 9.5 

Post-graduate education 4.2 4.4 4.2 

Current Marital Status 

Unmarried (single or cohabitating) 29.1 28.4 28.9 

Married 47.0 51.6* 47.9 

Separated, divorced, or widowed 24.0 20.1* 23.2 

Have Children under 18 41.0 31.2*** 39.2 

Has a Disability 4.7 3.1** 4.3 

Total Number of Offers 2,883 830 3,713 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA data from Idaho, Mississippi, Texas, West Virginia 

and one of four demonstration sites in Minnesota. 

Note: To test for differences across groups, two-tailed t-tests were conducted for all variables. 

Categorical variables were constructed into a series of binary variables to enable these tests 

across each row. 

*/**/*** Difference statistically significant at the .10/.05/.01 level. 
 C-3 

 Appendix C 

Table C.2. Characteristics of Last Job Held Prior to PRA Entry, by PRA Offer Decision 

(Percentages, Unless Stated Otherwise), Industry and Occupation 

 Accepters Decliners All Offers 

Industry 

Natural resources and mining 2.6 4.8*** 3.1 

Construction 5.5 4.6 5.3 

Manufacturing 19.9 28.3*** 21.8 

Trade, transport, utilities 21.2 19.9 20.9 

Information 2.9 2.8 2.8 

Financial activities 6.7 6.2 6.6 

Professional and business services 15.8 12.7** 15.1 

Education and health services 11.2 9.2* 10.7 

Leisure and hospitality 5.1 2.8*** 4.6 

Other services 4.8 5.3 4.9 

Public administration 4.4 3.3 4.2 

Occupation 

Management 10.0 8.1 9.6 

Business and financial operations 5.0 4.1 4.8 

Computer and mathematical 3.6 2.3* 3.3 

Architecture and engineering 2.3 2.3 2.3 

Life, physical, and social science 0.6 0.3 0.5 

Community and social services 1.0 0.1*** 0.8 

Legal 0.7 0.5 0.7 

Education, training, and library 2.1 1.5 2.0 

Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media 1.5 0.8 1.3 

Healthcare practitioners and technical 1.9 2.2 2.0 

Healthcare support 3.3 3.3 3.3 

Protective service 1.4 1.0 1.3 

Food preparation and serving related 2.9 2.5 2.8 

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance 2.3 2.3 2.3 

Personal care and service 1.6 1.6 1.6 

Sales and related 9.4 9.6 9.4 

Office and administrative support 21.1 21.7 21.2 

Farming, fishing, and forestry 0.6 0.5 0.6 

Construction and extraction 6.3 9.5*** 7.0 

Installation, maintenance, and repair 3.9 7.4*** 4.7 

Production 13.0 13.0 13.0 

Transportation and material moving 5.2 4.8 5.1 

Military specific 0.6 0.3 0.5 

Total Number of Offers 2,883 830 3,713 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA data from Idaho, Mississippi, Texas, West Virginia 

and one of four demonstration sites in Minnesota. 

Note: To test for differences across groups, two-tailed t-tests were conducted for all variables. 

Categorical variables were constructed into a series of binary variables to enable these tests 

across each row. 

*/**/*** Difference statistically significant at the .10/.05/.01 level.
C-4 

Appendix C 

Table C.3. Characteristics of Last Job Held Prior to PRA Offer, by PRA Offer Decision 

Percentages, Unless Stated Otherwise), Hours, Wages, and Reason for 

Leaving 

Accepters Decliners All Offers 

Hours Worked Per Week 

Less than 20 4.3 6.3 4.6 

20 to 34 5.6 6.5 5.7 

35 or more 90.2 87.2* 89.7 

Average 40.9 40.2 40.7 

Median 40.0 40.0 40.0 

Hourly Rate of Pay 

Less than $10.00 25.7 24.8 25.4 

$10.00 – $19.99 52.3 54.9 52.8 

$20.00 – $29.99 14.0 14.4 14.1 

$30.00 – $39.99 3.9 3.5 3.8 

$40.00 – $49.99 1.7 0.9* 1.5 

$ 50.00 or more 2.4 1.5* 2.2 

Average $16.29 $16.64 $16.37 

Median $13.00 $13.59 $13.00 

Primary Reasons for Leaving Job 

Laid off 79.4 80.9 79.8 

Business closed 4.5 2.4*** 4.0 

Temporary or seasonal job ended 0.5 0.3 0.4 

Discharged or fired 4.5 5.5 4.7 

Quit 10.1 9.3 9.9 

Other reason 0.1 0.1 0.1 

Weeks on Job 

Average 340.4 543.8*** 385.9 

Median 152.2 343.5 181.9 

Total Number of Offers 2,883 830 3,713 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA data from Idaho, Mississippi, Texas, West 

Virginia and one of four demonstration sites in Minnesota. 

Note: To test for differences across groups, two-tailed t-tests were conducted for all variables. 

Categorical variables were constructed into a series of binary variables to enable these 

tests across each row. 

*/**/*** Difference statistically significant at the .10/.05/.01 level. 
 C-5 

 Appendix C 

Table C.4. Characteristics of UI Receipt Among Recipients at the Time of PRA Offer, by 

PRA Offer Decision (Percentages, Unless Stated Otherwise) 

 Accepters Decliners All Offers 

Average number of weeks of eligibility 23.9 24.3*** 24.0 

Average weekly benefit amount $272.28 $296.67*** $277.37 

Total Number of Offers 2,883 830 3,713 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA and UI data from Idaho, Mississippi, Texas, 

West Virginia and one of four demonstration sites in Minnesota. 

Note: To test for differences across groups, two-tailed t-tests were conducted. 

*/**/*** Difference statistically significant at the .10/.05/.01 level.
C-6 

Appendix C 

Table C.5. Time from UI Claim Date to PRA Offer and Acceptance or Decline , by PRA 

Offer Decision 

 Accepters Decliners All Offers 

Average Number of Weeks From: 

UI claim date to PRA offer 3.8 3.9 3.9 

Median Number of Weeks From: 

UI claim date to PRA offer 4 4 4 

Total Number of Offers 2,883 830 3,713 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA and UI data from Idaho, Mississippi, Texas, 

West Virginia and one of four demonstration sites in Minnesota. 

Note: To test for differences across groups, two-tailed t-tests were conducted. No significant 

differences were found. 
 C-7 

 Appendix C 

Table C.6. UI Receipt, Employment, and Earnings of PRA Offers, by PRA Offer Decision 

(Percentages, Unless Stated Otherwise) 

Accepters Decliners All Offers 

UI Eligibility 

Percent eligible for 26+ weeks 69.8 39.8*** 65.7 

UI Receipt 

13 weeks or less 35.6 21.4*** 33.5 

14 weeks or more 64.4 78.6*** 66.5 

Average duration 16.8 19.1*** 17.2 

Average amount $5,653.73 $5,790.94 $5,672.81 

UI Exhaust 

Percent who exhaust benefits 39.8 68.6*** 43.7 

Percent who come within one month of exhausting 9.6 6.7* 9.2 

Percent who do not come within one month of exhausting 50.7 24.8*** 47.1 

Consistent Employment Following Entry:a 

In two consecutive quarters 52.3 55.8 52.8 

In three consecutive quarters 35.5 37.1 35.7 

Employment In: 

Quarter Prior to PRA Entry 72.9 87.1*** 74.9 

Same quarter as PRA receipt 59.4 64.7* 60.1 

One quarter of PRA receipt 46.8 48.9 47.1 

Two quarters of PRA receipt 54.7 57.8 55.1 

Three quarters of PRA receipt 51.2 58.0** 52.2 

Average Earnings In:b 

Quarter prior to PRA entry $8,616.92 $8,833.36 $8,651.67 

Entry quarter $6,244.24 $7,119.34 $6,374.12 

Quarter 1 following PRA entry $5,403.22 $4,553.50 $5,281.52 

Quarter 2 following PRA entry $6,010.84 $4,784.73*** $5,833.54 

Quarter 3 following PRA entry $6,797.18 $5,100.18*** $6,536.50 

Median Earnings In:b 

Quarter prior to PRA entry $7,015.54 $6,925.00 $7,002.35 

Entry quarter $4,077.53 $3,733.75 $4,037.42 

Quarter 1 following PRA entry $4,082.00 $2,669.55 $3,930.25 

Quarter 2 following PRA entry $4,803.45 $3,428.57 $4,531.24 

Quarter 3 following PRA entry $5,653.90 $4,366.43 $5,458.25 

Total Number of Offers 2,173 348 2,521 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA and UI data from Idaho, Mississippi, Texas, West Virginia and one 

of four demonstration sites in Minnesota. 

Note: Restricted to PRA offers with three quarters of earnings data following the PRA entry quarter. To test for 

differences across groups, two-tailed t-tests were conducted for all variables. Categorical variables were 

constructed into a series of binary variables to enable these tests across each row. 

*/**/*** Difference statistically significant at the .10/.05/.01 level. 

a

Consistent employment in two consecutive quarters is defined as employed in the first and second quarters after PRA 

receipt, or in the second and third quarters after PRA receipt. Consistent employment in three consecutive quarters is 

defined as employed in the first, second, and third quarters after PRA receipt. 

b

Average and median earnings restricted to those PRA recipients who were employed. 
C-8 

Appendix C 

Table C.7. Characteristics of Recipients at PRA Entry, by Bonus Receipt (Percentages, 

Unless Stated Otherwise) 

 Bonus Earners Non-Bonus Earners All Recipients 

Gender 

Male 53.1 47.8** 46.4 

Female 46.9 52.2** 50.6 

Age 

Less than 25 years 5.6 5.7 5.7 

25 to 34 years 21.1 17.2** 18.4 

35 to 44 years 26.9 24.6 25.4 

45 to 54 years 30.7 33.2 32.4 

55 years and over 15.7 19.3** 18.1 

Average Age in Years 42.8 43.83** 43.5 

Median Age in Years 43.0 45.0 43.0 

Ethnicity/Race 

Non-Hispanic, white 68.8 67.6 68.0 

Non-Hispanic, black 16.2 14.6 15.1 

Non-Hispanic, other races 1.8 4.6*** 3.7 

Hispanic, any race 13.2 13.3 13.2 

Educational Attainment 

Less than high school diploma / GED 8.2 7.4 7.7 

High school diploma / GED 45.1 39.8** 41.4 

Some college / 2 year degree 27.5 31.8** 30.4 

Completed 4 year college 13.3 14.8 14.3 

Post-graduate education 5.9 6.2 6.1 

Current Marital Status 

Unmarried (single or cohabitating) 25.5 32.0** 30.2 

Married 51.7 49.5 50.1 

Separated, divorced, or widowed 22.9 18.6* 19.8 

Have Children under 18 41.9 39.9 40.5 

Has a Disability 2.9 2.3 2.5 

Total Number of Recipients 833 1,816 2,649 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

Note: Restricted to recipients with entry dates prior to September 2006 in order to observe the full 

qualification periods for the first and second bonus. To test for differences across groups, twotailed t-tests were conducted for all variables. Categorical variables were constructed into a 

series of binary variables to enable these tests across each row. 

*/**/*** Difference statistically significant at the .10/.05/.01 level.
 C-9 

 Appendix C 

Table C.8. Characteristics of Last Job Held Prior to PRA Entry, by Bonus Receipt 

(Percentages, Unless Stated Otherwise), Industry and Occupation 

 Bonus Earners 

Non-Bonus 

Earners All Recipients 

Industry 

Natural resources and mining 3.2 1.1*** 1.8 

Construction 4.0 4.1 4.0 

Manufacturing 19.3 16.3* 17.3 

Trade, transport, utilities 19.7 22.6 21.7 

Information 2.1 3.7** 3.2 

Financial activities 8.2 9.5 9.1 

Professional and business services 16.4 18.5 17.8 

Education and health services 14.0 12.7 13.1 

Leisure and hospitality 5.2 3.9 4.3 

Other services 5.0 4.4 4.6 

Public administration 2.8 3.3 3.1 

Occupation 

Management 15.0 13.0 13.6 

Business and financial operations 4.8 5.8 5.5 

Computer and mathematical 3.1 4.9** 4.3 

Architecture and engineering 3.8 2.8 3.1 

Life, physical, and social science 0.7 0.8 0.8 

Community and social services 2.0 1.4 1.6 

Legal 0.4 0.9 0.7 

Education, training, and library 2.3 3.3 3.0 

Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media 1.2 2.0 1.8 

Healthcare practitioners and technical 2.6 1.9 2.1 

Healthcare support 2.6 3.9* 3.5 

Protective service 1.6 1.3 1.4 

Food preparation and serving related 2.7 1.9 2.2 

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance 1.0 1.6 1.4 

Personal care and service 0.8 1.4 1.2 

Sales and related 9.0 9.7 9.4 

Office and administrative support 18.8 21.9* 20.9 

Farming, fishing, and forestry 0.4 0.4 0.4 

Construction and extraction 5.0 4.3 4.6 

Installation, maintenance, and repair 4.5 3.6 3.9 

Production 11.8 9.2* 10.1 

Transportation and material moving 5.3 3.6* 4.2 

Military specific 0.5 0.5 0.5 

Total Number of Recipients 833 1,816 2,649 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA data from seven demonstration states. 

Note: Restricted to recipients with entry dates prior to September 2006 in order to observe the full 

qualification periods for the first and second bonus. To test for differences across groups, twotailed t-tests were conducted for all variables. Categorical variables were constructed into a 

series of binary variables to enable these tests across each row. 

*/**/*** Difference statistically significant at the .10/.05/.01 level.
C-10 

Appendix C 

Table C.9. Characteristics of Last Job Held Prior to PRA Entry, by Bonus Receipt 

(Percentages, Unless Stated Otherwise), Hours, Wages, and Reason for 

Leaving 

 Bonus Earners Non-Bonus Earners All Recipients 

Hours Worked Per Week 

Less than 20 1.4 3.8*** 3.2 

20 to 34 5.1 6.7 6.3 

35 or more 93.5 89.4*** 90.6 

Average 40.8 39.2*** 39.6 

Median 40.0 40.0 40.0 

Hourly Rate of Pay 

Less than $10.00 21.6 21.3 21.4 

$10.00 – $19.99 53.2 52.9 53.0 

$20.00 – $29.99 16.3 14.5 15.0 

$30.00 – $39.99 5.4 6.2 6.0 

$40.00 – $49.99 1.3 2.1 1.8 

$ 50.00 or more 2.1 3.0 2.8 

Average $16.71 $17.76* $17.43 

Median $14.00 $13.68 $13.88 

Primary Reasons for Leaving Job 

Laid off 70.9 73.9 73.0 

Business closed 3.5 3.6 3.5 

Temporary or seasonal job ended 0.6 1.4** 1.1 

Discharged or fired 13.5 8.1*** 9.8 

Quit 8.3 10.2 9.6 

Other reason 3.2 2.9 3.0 

Unknown 14.8 13.3 13.7 

Weeks on Job 

Average 386.1 427.9** 415.6 

Median 195.7 251.1 220.8 

Total Number of Recipients 833 1,816 2,649 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA data from seven demonstration states. 

Note: Restricted to recipients with entry dates prior to September 2006 in order to observe the full 

qualification periods for the first and second bonus. To test for differences across groups, twotailed t-tests were conducted for all variables. Categorical variables were constructed into a 

series of binary variables to enable these tests across each row. 

*/**/*** Difference statistically significant at the .10/.05/.01 level. 
 C-11 

 Appendix C 

Table C.10. Characteristics of UI Receipt Among Recipients at the Time of PRA Offer, by 

Bonus Receipt (Percentages, Unless Stated Otherwise) 

 Bonus Earners Non-Bonus Earners All Recipients 

UI Receipt 

Average number of weeks of eligibility 23.2 23.2 23.2 

Average weekly benefit amount 282.8 293.2*** 289.9 

Total Number of Recipients 833 1,816 2,649 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA and UI data from seven demonstration states. 

Note: Restricted to recipients with entry dates prior to September 2006 in order to observe the full 

qualification periods for the first and second bonus. To test for differences across groups, twotailed t-tests were conducted. 

*/**/*** Difference statistically significant at the .10/.05/.01 level. 
C-12 

Appendix C 

Table C.11. Time from UI Claim Date to PRA Offer and Acceptance, by Bonus Receipt 

 Bonus Earners Non-Bonus Earners All Recipients 

Average Number of Weeks From: 

UI claim date to PRA offer 4.4 4.2*** 4.2 

UI claim date to PRA acceptance 4.6 4.3*** 4.4 

Median Number of Weeks From: 

UI claim date to PRA offer 4.0 4.0 4.0 

UI claim date to PRA acceptance 4.0 4.0 4.0 

Total Number of Recipients 833 1,816 2,649 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA and UI data from seven demonstration states. 

Note: Restricted to recipients with entry dates prior to September 2006 in order to observe the full 

qualification periods for the first and second bonus. To test for differences across groups, twotailed t-tests were conducted. 

*/**/*** Difference statistically significant at the .10/.05/.01 level.
 C-13 

 Appendix C 

Table C.12. Characteristics of Recipients at PRA Entry, by User Group (Percentages, 

Unless Stated Otherwise) 

Bonus 

Earner 

Support 

Service 

Focused 

Complete 

Nonuser Other User 

Initial 

Nonuser 

All 

Recipients

Gender 

Male 55.4 49.2 52.6 43.1*** 48.5* 50.7 

Female 44.6 50.8 47.4 56.9*** 51.5* 49.3 

Age 

Less than 25 years 6.3 5.1 8.2 5.7 5.1 6.5 

25 to 34 years 22.2 18.7 17.5** 17.9 16.2** 18.7 

35 to 44 years 27.5 31.1 22.9 26.9 24.6 26.1 

45 to 54 years 28.9 29.9 30.8 30.8 34.8 30.7 

55 years and over 15.2 15.2 20.6** 18.7 19.3 18.0 

Average age in years 42.2 42.6 43.6** 43.3 44.3** 43.2 

Median age in years 43 43 45 44 45 44 

Ethnicity/Race 

Non-Hispanic, white 69.7 66.2 70.1 69.0 64.5 68.5 

Non-Hispanic, black 18.5 11.2*** 21.0 14.7 11.0*** 16.6 

Non-Hispanic, other races 1.6 5.1*** 3.3 4.9*** 6.0*** 3.8 

Hispanic, any race 10.2 17.5*** 5.6*** 11.3 18.5*** 11.1 

Educational Attainment 

Less than high school diploma / GED 9.0 8.5 12.7** 5.0** 5.1* 8.9 

High school diploma / GED 46.1 34.1*** 50.3 34.3*** 32.8*** 42.0 

Some college / 2 year degree 27.8 33.9* 26.5 35.7*** 36.7*** 30.7 

Completed 4 year college 12.6 15.3 7.9*** 15.9 17.8** 12.7 

Post-graduate education 4.5 8.1** 2.6 9.1*** 7.7* 5.6 

Current Marital Status 

Unmarried (single or cohabitating) 24.5 33.2 30.5 33.9** 29.3 29.9 

Married 49.7 48.7 46.7 49.4 53.1 49.0 

Separated, divorced, or widowed 25.9 18.1 22.7 16.8** 17.7** 21.2 

Have Children under 18 42.6 42.4 40.0 42.1 33.7** 40.5 

Has a Disability 3.7 2.7 5.7 1.6 1.5 3.7 

Total Number of Recipients 877 529 1,146 600 458 3,610 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA data from the seven demonstration states. 

Note: Restricted to recipients with entry dates prior to April 2007 in order to observe account use within 

the bonus qualification period. To test for differences across groups, two-tailed t-tests were 

conducted for all variables. Categorical variables were constructed into a series of binary 

variables to enable these tests across each row. The t-tests were pairwise comparisons of the 

bonus-focused group against every other group. P-values were adjusted for multiple comparisons 

using the Bonferroni method. 

*/**/*** Difference statistically significant at the .10/.05/.01 level. 
C-14 

Appendix C 

Table C.13. Characteristics of Last Job Held Prior to PRA Entry, by User Group (Percentages, 

Unless Stated Otherwise), Industry and Occupation 

Bonus 

Earner 

Support 

Service 

Focused

Complete 

Nonuser 

Other 

User 

Initial 

Nonuser

All 

Recipients 

Industry 

Natural resources and mining 3.6 1.0** 2.1 1.6* 1.2** 2.1 

Construction 5.3 3.5 5.8 3.6 2.9 4.6 

Manufacturing 19.2 15.8 19.0 13.5** 17.3 17.5 

Trade, transport, utilities 20.8 22.3 23.2 19.2 21.9 21.7 

Information 2.0 3.3 2.2 4.0 4.8** 2.9 

Financial activities 8.2 10.4 6.6 10.3 9.7 8.5 

Professional and business services 15.0 20.6** 15.5 17.4 21.1** 17.2 

Education and health services 12.1 12.9 10.2 16.6* 9.7 12.0 

Leisure and hospitality 5.2 2.9 6.3 4.4 4.0 4.9 

Other services 5.3 4.8 5.1 4.2 2.9 4.7 

Public administration 3.2 2.3 4.1 5.3 4.5 3.9 

Occupation 

Management 13.1 12.9 10.4 14.1 13.0 12.3 

Business and financial operations 4.7 5.7 4.6 7.3 4.5 5.2 

Computer and mathematical 2.5 4.8 2.6 5.3* 7.4*** 3.9 

Architecture and engineering 3.8 4.6 1.7* 2.2 4.0 3.0 

Life, Physical, and social science 0.9 0.2 0.4 1.0 1.3 0.7 

Community and social services 1.2 1.8 0.9 2.9* 0.3 1.3 

Legal 0.6 0.9 0.7 0.8 1.1 0.8 

Education, training, and library 1.8 3.1 1.5 4.1* 2.9 2.4 

Arts, Design, entertainment, sports, and media 1.8 2.4 1.7 1.0 2.6 1.8 

Healthcare practitioners and technical 2.7 2.4 1.7 2.0 1.3 2.1 

Healthcare support 2.5 2.2 2.3 4.1 5.8*** 3.0 

Protective service 1.6 0.4 1.5 1.6 0.8 1.3 

Food preparation and serving related 3.4 2.0 3.2 2.4 2.1 2.8 

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance 1.2 1.8 2.7* 1.8 1.3 1.9 

Personal care and service 0.6 1.3 2.0* 1.2 1.1 1.3 

Sales and related 10.9 9.6 10.0 6.5* 11.4 9.8 

Office and administrative support 18.6 17.7 21.4 21.6 20.6 20.1 

Farming, fishing, and forestry 0.6 0.9 0.4 0.6 0.3 0.6 

Construction and extraction 6.6 3.7 8.1 3.5* 3.2* 5.7 

Installation, maintenance, and repair 3.6 5.9 3.1 4.3 3.4 3.9 

Production 11.3 11.8 12.8 8.1 8.5 11.0 

Transportation and material moving 5.3 3.3 6.2 3.3 2.6 4.6 

Military specific 0.6 0.7 0.4 0.2 0.5 0.5 

Total Number of Recipients 877 529 1,146 600 458 3,610 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA data from seven demonstration states. 

Note: Restricted to recipients with entry dates prior to April 2007 in order to observe account use within 

the bonus qualification period. To test for differences across groups, two-tailed t-tests were 

conducted for all variables. Categorical variables were constructed into a series of binary 

variables to enable these tests across each row. The t-tests were pairwise comparisons of the 

bonus-focused group against every other group. P-values were adjusted for multiple comparisons 

using the Bonferroni method. 

*/**/*** Difference statistically significant at the .10/.05/.01 level.
 C-15 

 Appendix C 

Table C.14. Characteristics of Last Job Held Prior to PRA Entry, by User Group (Percentages, 

Unless Stated Otherwise), Hours, Wages, and Reason for Leaving 

Bonus 

Earner 

Support 

Service 

Focused 

Complete 

Nonuser Other User 

Initial 

Nonuser 

All 

Recipients

Hours Worked Per Week 

Less than 20 2.3 4.2 3.4 3.2 6.7*** 3.7 

20 to 34 5.6 7.1 7.5 7.0 7.9 7.0 

35 or more 92.4 88.7 89.1 89.8 85.5*** 89.3 

Average 41.4 38.7*** 41.2 39.0*** 38.1*** 40.0 

Median 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 

Hourly Rate of Pay 

Less than $10.00 24.0 17.3** 27.5 18.3* 19.1 22.6 

$10.00 – $19.99 50.7 55.2 51.5 57.1 50.1 52.5 

$20.00 – $29.99 17.4 16.9 12.1** 13.1 19.3 15.2 

$30.00 – $39.99 4.3 6.8 4.6 6.4 5.2 5.2 

$40.00 – $49.99 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.3 2.3 1.8 

$ 50.00 or more 2.0 2.3 2.3 2.9 4.0 2.7 

Average $16.53 $17.63 $16.10 $17.95 $18.73* $17.07 

Median $13.88 $14.03 $12.60 $14.00 $15.00 $13.69 

Primary Reasons for Leaving 

Job 

 

Laid off 74.9 66.1*** 78.5 69.4 70.6 72.6 

Business closed 3.8 8.3*** 3.8 2.4 4.1 4.4 

Temporary or seasonal job 

ended 

0.2 1.9* 1.6 2.1** 2.3** 1.5 

Discharged or fired 12.5 11.1 5.4*** 11.4 8.0* 9.5 

Quit 5.8 8.3 5.7 10.5** 11.2*** 7.9 

Other reason 2.9 4.3 5.1 4.1 3.7 4.1 

Weeks on Job 

Average 355 409 369 415 429* 387 

Median 178 208 169 234 260 199 

Total Number of Recipients 877 529 1,146 600 458 3,610 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA data from seven demonstration states. 

Note: Restricted to recipients with entry dates prior to April 2007 in order to observe account use within 

the bonus qualification period. To test for differences across groups, two-tailed t-tests were 

conducted for all variables. Categorical variables were constructed into a series of binary 

variables to enable these tests across each row. The t-tests were pairwise comparisons of the 

bonus-focused group against every other group. P-values were adjusted for multiple comparisons 

using the Bonferroni method. 

*/**/*** Difference statistically significant at the .10/.05/.01 level. 
C-16 

Appendix C 

Table C.15. Characteristics of UI Receipt Among Recipients at the Time of PRA 

Acceptance, by User Group (Percentages, Unless Stated Otherwise) 

Bonus 

Earner 

Support 

Service 

Focused 

Complete 

Nonuser Other User

Initial 

Nonuser 

All 

Recipients

Average number of weeks of 

eligibility 

23.5 22.5*** 23.8 23.2 22.6*** 23.3 

Average weekly benefit amount 277.5 298.9*** 268.7 291.1* 305.9*** 283.7 

Total Number of Recipients 877 529 1,146 600 458 3,610 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA and UI data from seven demonstration states. 

Note: Restricted to recipients with entry dates prior to April 2007 in order to observe account use within 

the bonus qualification period. To test for differences across groups, two-tailed t-tests were 

conducted. The t-tests were pairwise comparisons of the bonus-focused group against every 

other group. P-values were adjusted for multiple comparisons using the Bonferroni method. 

*/**/*** Difference statistically significant at the .10/.05/.01 level. 
 C-17 

 Appendix C 

Table C.16. Time from UI Claim Date to PRA Offer and Acceptance, by User Group 

Bonus 

Earner 

Support 

Service 

Focused 

Complete 

Nonuser Other User

Initial 

Nonuser 

All 

Recipients

Average Number of Weeks From: 

UI claim date to PRA offer 4.2 4.2 3.8*** 4.5** 4.5** 4.2 

UI claim date to PRA acceptance 4.4 4.4 3.9*** 4.7** 4.8** 4.4 

Median Number of Weeks From: 

UI claim date to PRA offer 4 4 3 4 4 4 

UI claim date to PRA acceptance 4 4 4 4 4 4 

Total Number of Recipients 877 529 1,146 600 458 3,610 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA and UI data from seven demonstration states. 

Note: Restricted to recipients with entry dates prior to April 2007 in order to observe account use within 

the bonus qualification period. To test for differences across groups, two-tailed t-tests were 

conducted. The t-tests were pairwise comparisons of the bonus-focused group against every 

other group. P-values were adjusted for multiple comparisons using the Bonferroni method. 

*/**/*** Difference statistically significant at the .10/.05/.01 level. 
C-18 

Appendix C 

Table C.17. UI Receipt, Employment, and Earnings of PRA Recipients, by User Group 

(Percentages, Unless Stated Otherwise) 

 All Recipients 

Bonus 

Earner 

Support Service 

Focused 

Complete 

Nonusers 

Other 

Users 

Initial 

Nonusers 

All User 

Groups 

UI Eligibility 

Average number of weeks 23.5 22.5*** 24.2*** 23.2 22.6*** 23.4 

Average weekly benefit amount $290.84 $293.57 $291.16 $290.78 $308.53*** $293.96 

UI Receipt 

13 weeks or less 85.6 25.0*** 20.1*** 26.7*** 10.3*** 36.8 

14-28 weeks 14.4 75.0*** 79.9*** 73.4*** 89.7*** 63.2 

Average duration 9.2 18.0*** 19.7*** 18.0*** 20.5*** 16.6 

Average amount $2,716.85 $5,490.09*** $5,975.61*** $5,453.27*** $6,705.55*** $5,127.28 

UI Exhaust 

Percent who exhaust benefits 6.9 51.2*** 54.7*** 49.0*** 61.5*** 41.6 

Percent who come within one month of 

exhausting 

4.3 12.1*** 9.3** 12.1*** 15.5*** 9.7 

Percent who do not come within one 

month of exhausting 

88.8 36.8*** 36.0*** 39.0*** 23.0*** 48.7 

Consistent Employment Following Entry:a 

In two consecutive quarters 77.4 54.4*** 47.9*** 56.5*** 49.1*** 57.8 

In three consecutive quarters 63.4 33.7*** 29.9*** 38.8*** 24.9*** 39.4 

Employment In: 

Quarter Prior to PRA Entry 84.6 79.1* 72.5*** 81.9 78.5* 79.0 

Same quarter as PRA receipt 80.3 63.1*** 56.2*** 62.6*** 55.0*** 64.1 

One quarter of PRA receipt 80.1 47.3*** 38.8*** 50.5*** 35.5*** 51.8 

Two quarters of PRA receipt 78.1 58.8*** 50.4*** 59.7*** 53.9*** 60.6 

Three quarters of PRA receipt 69.6 48.7*** 49.8*** 57.5*** 50.7*** 55.9 

Average Earnings In:b 

Quarter prior to PRA entry $8,734.19 $8,594.44 $8,820.55 $8,611.01 $9,030.58 $8,751.60 

Entry quarter $5,251.74 $5,102.35 $6494.54** $5,713.14 $6,321.62 $5,734.99 

Quarter 1 following PRA entry $6,441.76 $5083.53* $5,315.50 $4849.28** $4298.53*** $5,511.40 

Quarter 2 following PRA entry $7,410.54 $6,664.16 $5475.58*** $5936.94*** $5298.48*** $6,317.68 

Quarter 3 following PRA entry $7,822.88 $7,305.13 $6201.23*** $6558.95*** $6,957.02 $7,005.87 

Median Earnings In:b 

Quarter prior to PRA entry $7,211.25 $6,432.39 $7,001.71 $6,515.78 $7,537.53 $6,920.47 

Entry quarter $3,895.51 $2,895.79 $4,361.73 $3,125.00 $3,996.99 $3,775.09 

Quarter 1 following PRA entry $5,602.75 $3,761.71 $3,617.69 $3,615.95 $2,250.00 $4,384.31 

Quarter 2 following PRA entry $6,489.06 $5,638.13 $4,189.16 $4,855.15 $3,533.79 $5,356.57 

Quarter 3 following PRA entry $6,780.02 $6,548.99 $4,963.18 $5,123.45 $5,602.45 $5,803.90 

Total Number of Recipients 740 507 842 570 442 3,101 

Source: Calculations based on individual-level PRA and UI data from seven demonstration states. 

Note: Restricted to recipients with entry dates prior to April 2007 in order to observe account use within the bonus 

qualification period. Also restricted to PRA recipients with three quarters of earnings data following the PRA entry 

quarter. To test for differences across groups, two-tailed t-tests were conducted for all variables. Categorical 

variables were constructed into a series of binary variables to enable these tests across each row. The t-tests were 

pairwise comparisons of the bonus-focused group against every other group. P-values were adjusted for multiple 

comparisons using the Bonferroni method. 

*/**/*** Difference statistically significant at the .10/.05/.01 level. 

a

Consistent employment in two consecutive quarters is defined as employed in the first and second quarters after PRA receipt, or

in the second and third quarters after PRA receipt. Consistent employment in three consecutive quarters is defined as employed

in the first, second, and third quarters after PRA receipt. 

b

Average and median earnings restricted to those PRA recipients who were employed.