Evaluation of Iran’s unemployment benefit scheme during Corona crisis

Policy evaluation is the missing part of policymaking in general and social policymaking in particular in Iran. This has caused implementing of some similar projects with the same goals under different titles during different periods which resulted similar unsuccessful experiences, despite spending a lot of money. In this regard, the purpose of this research is to evaluate a scheme which was implemented to support the unemployed from Coronavirus Pandemic in Iran. This research is an applied research in terms of purpose and is a descriptive-analytical research in terms of methodology, which uses document analysis and interviews with experts and key informants to evaluate Corona Unemployment Benefit Scheme from administrative, judicial and political dimensions. In the administrative evaluation, the criteria introduced by the OECD have been used according to the available data and information. The results show that the scheme had serious shortcomings in providing adequate and timely support to those involved, but acceptable results in expanding coverage among the target population and reducing referrals to executive branches have been achieved. The results of this evaluation emphasize the need for a means-tested unemployment assistance scheme in the country.