Why can’t I continue receiving unemployment benefits after returning to work? It’s just until I get my first paycheck.

There are a few reasons why people are not allowed to receive unemployment benefits after becoming fully employed. First and foremost, it’s important to know that it’s against the law to collect unemployment benefits after you return to full-time work. Unemployment is only meant as temporary financial assistance until you’re employed again.

Only businesses are required to pay into the unemployment insurance trust fund. That trust fund then provides the money needed for unemployment benefits. Workers do not pay into the trust fund, and no money is deducted from your paycheck for unemployment insurance. The money that companies pay helps all employees in Idaho. It is not specifically set aside to benefit a particular person.

The amount of money companies are required to contribute to the unemployment insurance trust fund is based on the number of employees they have, their history of laying people off and the current tax rate. The rate this amount is based on is increased when a former employee receives unemployment benefits — even though that employee no longer works for the company.

It’s important to make sure the unemployment insurance trust fund is always healthy enough to remain a lifeline for all Idahoans who have lost jobs through no fault of their own. This is particularly critical when the economy is bad and more Idahoans may be facing a job loss. If claimants continue to collect benefits after returning to work, this increases the tax burden on employers.

People are committing fraud when they continue filing for unemployment benefits after becoming fully employed. In Idaho, committing fraud by continuing to collect benefits could lead to monetary penalties and criminal prosecution.

– Idaho Department of Labor