This is the rate where those who choose to remain unemployed barracade themselves to defend against prospective employers!
One argument about the unemployment rate is that it doesn't reflect those who have "ceased looking" for a job.
During the period in which they receive unemployment checks they are required to file job applications which keeps their numbers in the ue rate.
If the new welfare law requires job applications, then that would also keep that group in the ue rate, too.
It would tend to somewhat blunt the argument that there are those who out of frustration quit looking and then cease to show up in the ue rate.