This news release was updated March 30, 2020, to reflect Gov. Brad Little’s latest executive orders and proclamation regarding the coronavirus.
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: March 18, 2020
Information Contact: Georgia Smith, 208-332-3570 x 2102
Idahoans can still file claims online for unemployment insurance
In response to Gov. Brad Little’s state-wide stay-home order and extreme emergency declaration to slow the spread of coronavirus, the Idaho Department of Labor offices will be closed to the public until further notice.
The closure was effective starting Thursday, March 19, however the public can still access the agency’s services online and through the phone.
“We are still open for business and available to serve our customers,” said Idaho Department of Labor Director Jani Revier. “These closures simply allow us to do our part to help slow the transmission of COVID 19.”
According to Revier, the social distancing move will help protect the agency’s customers and staff from potential exposure to the coronavirus.
Idaho residents can access the agency’s services online and over the phone using the following methods:
- To file an Unemployment Insurance claim online, visit labor.idaho.gov/ClaimantPortal or call (208) 332-8942 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Answers to questions about unemployment insurance can be found on Labor’s COVID-19 web page at labor.idaho.gov/covid-19.
- To contact your nearest local office, visit the Contact Us page at labor.idaho.gov/officedirectory.
Many of Labor services are available to the public on the agency’s web site. Job seekers can register for work, look for jobs, research careers, file for unemployment insurance and learn about on-the-job training opportunities such as apprenticeships and Idaho Job Corps. Businesses can post job listings, pay unemployment insurance taxes, report new hires and more – all online.
-end-
I need help with filing a claim. I am a bus driver and not able to work until this virus is waved and I can drive kids to school. I got a letter in mail and Im trying to find out what to do next. I updated work history. I have a claim number. Please help. Let me know what else I can do to receive a check.
We cannot answer specific claims questions on social media. Please contact a claims representative at (208) 332 8942 for help.
Replying to Idaho Dept of Labor, please read —
Nobody is answering that number you provide though. When you call it you’re greeted with a message saying the office is closed. This morning and on Friday 20th, in my experience.
And I cannot file online just because I don’t have an Idaho driver’s license (I’m a WA resident, job was in Idaho). What the hell?! I got laid off on 3/19. Now I’m reading that this office is closed until 4/3. I’ve been trying everything to file a claim. If you work for the ID Dept of Labor, please contact me on the best route I should take. I need benefits ASAP. I’ve paid a lot into this through taxes with this job I lost. There must be a lot of other eastern WA residents who had Idaho jobs going through this same, big problem I’m going through right now.
This might answer your question: Can I apply for benefits if I do not have an Idaho driver’s license?
Yes. If you file online and have an out-of-state driver’s license or identification card, your online profile information will remain unverified, but please continue with the online application.
The phone number listed is busy? Is this an ongoing issue?
Our phone lines are overwhelmed with the number of calls we are getting. We have additional staff answering calls and are answering them as quickly as we can. We do not have a time estimate however. We appreciate your patience as we try to help everyone.
You state that people can still access your services online? What if people don’t have home internet?
As you recall the IDOL closed several locations justifying that services could still be provided at the libraries. Guess what? The libraries are also closed and how are people without internet and access to your office able to get anything done? Do you really expect people that have lost jobs to have access to home internet, fax, printer, and copier? Why is it that public entities can comfortably close to the public while still having the safety of their jobs?
We are sorry for the inconvenience. Our offices were closed as part of the governor’s state of emergency order. We are answering phone calls as quickly as we can.
The number rings busy cant get thru
Our phone lines are overwhelmed with the number of calls we are getting. We have additional staff answering calls and are answering them as quickly as we can. We do not have a time estimate however. We appreciate your patience as we try to help everyone.
Try to get through……I also have a question and have been trying to call for over an hour. I do understand the situation though, wish there was emailing available.
Thank you for your patience as we try to help everyone with questions.
Will the State of Idaho exclude healthcare workers from receiving the new Emergency FMLA and Emergency paid sick leave COVID-19 programs. Additionally, what constitutes a healthcare worker, all employees in our clinics? Physicians and Nurse Practitioners? Nurses? Non clinical support staff?
For FMLA questions, please contact US Department of Labor at 1-866-487-9243.
As a WA state resident who just lost their job in Coeur d’Alene ID, with no driver’s license, I am unable to file for a claim online. And whenever I try to call the Idaho Dept of Labor at (208) 332 8942 I’m greeted with either a message saying the office is closed or I hear a busy signal. I’ve tried calling 6x since Friday 3/20. I was laid off 3/19, my last day at work.
I need to file a claim immediately for peace of mind and to be on top of this. Idaho DoL, please advice me on what my next steps should be.
This might answer your question: Can I apply for benefits if I do not have an Idaho driver’s license?
Yes. If you file online and have an out-of-state driver’s license or identification card, your online profile information will remain unverified, but please continue with the online application.
None of your phone numbers are working
Our phone lines are overwhelmed with the number of calls we are getting. We have additional staff answering calls and are answering them as quickly as we can. We do not have a time estimate however. We appreciate your patience as we try to help everyone.
me pide licencia de manejo de idaho pero vivo en jackpot nv me trslado a twin falls cada dia y rgreso que ago para llenar la parte donde el perfil ya que mi licensi es de nevada gracias pos su tiempo.
¿Puedo solicitar beneficios si no tengo una licencia de conducir de Idaho?
Sí. Si usted puede entregar su solicitud en línea y tiene una licencia de fuera del estado de Idaho o una tarjeta de identificación, la información de su perfil se guardará sin verificación, pero usted podrá continuar completando su solicitud en línea.
How can I reach the number you give out if it is busy all the time.
Our phone lines are overwhelmed with the number of calls we are getting. We have additional staff answering calls and are answering them as quickly as we can. We do not have a time estimate however. We appreciate your patience as we try to help everyone.
Please provide a means to leave a voice mail message or email for questions to be answered via email or a call back, cannot get through as phone line is always busy.
Our phone lines are overwhelmed with the number of calls we are getting. We have additional staff answering calls and are answering them as quickly as we can. We do not have a time estimate however. We appreciate your patience as we try to help everyone. You might try the FAQs as those are updated daily. https://idahoatwork.com/2020/03/18/faqs-about-unemployment-insurance-and-covid-19/
Is there an email address? I have been trying to call but all lines are busy and the chat service is busy as well and I need answers as to why my weekly claim was denied?
We do not have an email address. We ask for everyone’s patience as we try to help all claimants who have questions.
I’ve filed my weekly claim and now it shows I am disqualified for an issue. I can’t get through on the phone lines and I never received an email with any issues. What am I suppose to do? I should have received a payment this week.
Our claims specialists will contact you about issues on your claim.