This paper studies mandatory job-search periods for welfare applicants. During this period the benefits application is put on hold and the applicant is obliged to make job applications. We combine a randomized experiment with detailed administrative data to investigate the effects of imposing a job-search period. We find strong and persistent effects on the probability to collect welfare benefits. The reduced benefits are fully compensated by increased earnings from work. Furthermore, we do not find evidence of adverse consequences for the most vulnerable applicants. Our results therefore suggest that a jobsearch period is an effective instrument for targeting welfare-benefits applicants. Url or DOI http://ftp.iza.org/dp9786.pdf Authors Bas van der Klaauw Jonneke Bolhaar Nadine Ketel Country Netherlands Publication Year 2016 Ranges Intervention Intervention Start Year 2011 Intervention End Year 2013 Evaluation Evaluation Start Year 2012 Evaluation End Year 2013 Policy field Labour market services Job-search assistance Target group Vulnerable groups Other disadvantaged Details Funding Source Other Outcome Variable Employment status Income/wages Data Source Administrative Evaluation Method IV Randomization
