Idaho’s Unemployment Continued Claims Increase 2 Percent

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 27, 2020
Media Contacts: Darlene Carnopis, Darlene.Carnopis@labor.idaho.gov or Salvador Vazquez, Salvador.Vazquez@labor.idaho.gov

The number of Idahoans who filed a continued claim for regular state unemployment insurance benefits increased 2 percent for the week ending Nov. 21 to 8,793, up 483 more than the previous week. The four-week moving average for continued claims increased from 8,150 for the week ending Nov. 14 to 8,343.

Initial claims for unemployment benefits totaled 4,732 for the week ending Nov. 21, down by 328 claims, while the four-week moving average increased by 5 percent to 4,680.

An increase in initial claims and continued claims for regular state benefits is normal for November, December and January due to the ongoing seasonality of Idaho’s economy. Claims related to COVID-19 may disrupt or exacerbate this normal seasonal pattern.

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Idaho Volunteers Recognized with Governor Andrus Volunteer of the Year Award

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 20, 2020
Media Contact: Renee Bade, renee.bade@labor.idaho.gov

Three volunteers were recognized for their outstanding contributions to Idaho during the annual Idaho Philanthropy Day Awards held earlier this month.

Alina Rahim, Bill “Action” Jackson and Mary Robinette all received the Gov. Cecil D. Andrus Volunteer of the Year award in the ceremony, presented by the Idaho Nonprofit Center in partnership with Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism. Tracy Andrus, daughter of the late Gov. Andrus, presented the awards to each of the winners during the virtual ceremony.

Rahim of Pocatello was recognized for her volunteer contributions in eastern Idaho. At age 13, she created an  organization called Youth Activism Society (YAS) whose mission is to empower local youth to advocate for marginalized communities and volunteer with local initiatives. The organization has expanded with five chapters across the United States. Outside of her work with YAS, Rahim has volunteered with The Idaho Foodbank, her local soup kitchen, the Shoshone-Bannock tribe and in medical clinics in Nepal.

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Idaho Unemployment Rate Falls to 5.5 Percent in October

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 20, 2020
Media Contact: Craig Shaul, Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or Karen Jarboe Singletary, karen.jarboesingletary@labor.idaho.gov

State regains 5,400 nonfarm jobs

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 5.5 percent and nonfarm payrolls regained 5,400 jobs in October as the state’s economy continued to recover.

The unemployment rate dropped six-tenths of a percentage point in October after increasing by almost 2 points in September to 6.1 percent. October’s rate was 6.3 percentage points below April’s historic high of 11.8 percent.

The number of unemployed Idahoans fell by 5,866 to 50,278 as total employment recovered by 1,021 to 863,917, up one-tenth of a percent from September.

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Labor Changes Phone Number for Help with Unemployment Insurance

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 19, 2020
Media Contact: Georgia Smith, Georgia.smith@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor has installed new phone software to accommodate the increase in unemployment insurance calls the department has received since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting Monday, claimants needing assistance should call (208) 332-8942. The 800 number will no longer be used.

The department has hired and trained approximately 60 additional staff members to help with the increased unemployment insurance workload. Forty-nine employees will be dedicated to the answering the phones and will be available from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. MT Monday-Friday. Spanish speaking agents will also be available.

Claimants can find answers to frequently asked questions online and are encouraged to watch how-to videos before filing. Continue reading →

Continued Claims for Unemployment Benefits Increase Slightly

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 19, 2020
Media Contact: Craig Shaul, Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or Salvador Vazquez, Salvador.Vazquez@labor.idaho.gov

The number of Idahoans who filed a continued claim for regular state unemployment insurance benefits increased two percent for the week ending Nov. 14 to 8,310, up 167 more than the previous week. The four-week moving average for continued claims increased slightly – from 8,127 for the week ending Nov. 7 to 8,150.

Initial claims for unemployment benefits totaled 5,060 for the week ending Nov. 14, up by 52 claims, while the four-week moving average increased by 11 percent to 4,462.

An increase in initial claims and continued claims for regular state benefits is normal for November, December and January due to the ongoing seasonality of Idaho’s economy. Claims related to COVID-19 may disrupt or exacerbate this normal seasonal pattern.

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Governor Little Appoints New Commissioners to Serve Idaho

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 19, 2020
Media Contact: Renee Bade, renee.bade@labor.idaho.gov

Gov. Brad Little appointed three commissioners to Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism in October. The new commissioners are Hillary Blackstone, Mat Erpelding and Katie Mathias all of Boise.

The three join the existing organization of 15 governor-appointed commissioners whose mission is: “To inspire and recognize volunteers and empower communities through service and AmeriCorps to solve Idaho’s unmet needs.”

“Our commissioners bring a wealth of knowledge and energy to the commission as well as first-hand knowledge of the benefits and rewards of service in our communities,” said Renee Bade, program manager for Serve Idaho.

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Filing for Unemployment Insurance Benefits? Watch Out for Scam Websites

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 13, 2020
Media Contact: Darlene Carnopis, Darlene.carnopis@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor reminds Idahoans applying for unemployment insurance to be careful about which websites they access to file for benefits.

Idahoans filing for unemployment insurance benefits should apply online at labor.idaho.gov/ClaimantPortal.

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Idaho’s Unemployment Continued Claims Hold Steady

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 13, 2020
Media Contact: Craig Shaul, Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or Salvador Vazquez, Salvador.Vazquez@labor.idaho.gov

The number of Idahoans who filed a continued claim for unemployment insurance benefits was unchanged for the week ending Nov. 7 with 8,143, only 19 more than the previous week. The four-week moving average for continued claims decreased slightly – from 8,187 for the week ending Oct. 31 to 8,127.

Initial claims for unemployment benefits totaled 5,008 for the week ending Nov. 7, increasing by 1,089 claims, while the four-week moving average was up by 10 percent to 4,021.

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Labor’s Caldwell Office to Hold Drive-Thru Job Fair

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 12, 2020
Media Contact: Elizabeth (Lisa) Anzaldua, Elizabeth.Anzaldua@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor’s Caldwell office is holding a drive-thru job fair Tuesday, Nov. 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will be held in the office parking lot at 4514 Thomas Jefferson St., rain or shine.

Employers participating are Select Staffing, St. Luke’s, Amazon, Sorrento Lactalis and ZoRoCo Packaging. The businesses combined have more than 1,000 job openings to fill in positions such as housekeepers, cashiers, IT support, customer service, production operators, delivery drivers and more. Continue reading →

Business, Government and Education Work to Increase Idaho Apprenticeships

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 9, 2020
Media Contact: Gina Robison, Gina@Robison@labor.idaho.gov

Nov. 8-14 – National Apprenticeship Week

A team of state agencies is using more than $5.8 million in federal grants to foster growth and expansion of registered apprenticeships as a solution for Idaho businesses struggling to find a skilled workforce.

State agencies involved in the partnership include the Idaho Department of Labor (ApprenticeshipIdaho), the Idaho Workforce Development Council and the Idaho Division of Career Technical Education. Idaho employers are represented by the Idaho Business Education Council.

Registered apprenticeships provide a high-quality career path that allows employers to develop a skilled workforce customized to meet their needs.

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