Best let Prof. Ruffin know that unemployment compensation, and whether one collects it or not, is not a factor in determing the unemployment rate.
How do you know the BEA doesnt consider it a factor in determining those "out of the job search" when coming up with the unemployment rate? Granted, I have only heard second hand that it's a factor.
I've done some work with the BEA in the past, I'll call them and find out.
In Hoc.