This study focuses on recurring unemployment, that is people with two or more spells of unemployment during the period of observation (July 1993 – August 1996). First, a classification is obtained which is then used to examine the specific role of occasional jobs during a spell of unemployment and, in this context, the influence of the received unemployment benefits on the duration of this spell. This paper is a continuation of previous analyses of unemployment in France, based on long-term data from the unemployed register held by ANPE (National Employment Bureau). The present analysis conducted using additional information about unemployment benefits received by the unemployed from UNEDIC (Unemployment Benefits Office).