Yearly Archives: 2020

FAQs for Unemployment Claimants about the End of the CARES Act Programs

Note: All federal CARES Act unemployment assistance programs, including PUA will discontinue week ending June 19, 2021. Additional information is available here.

 

Question: I hear Congress approved extending unemployment benefits and other stimulus programs.

Answer: Congress has passed legislation to extend the CARES Act programs that affect unemployment benefits. Now that it has been signed by President Trump, states will be informed about how to implement the program. Until then, we have no additional details and cannot answer your phone calls regarding the extension. We will post any updates on our FAQs and website as they become available. Please continue to submit your weekly reports.

Q: I hear that the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program is ending.

A: You are correct, unemployment insurance programs and extensions funded by the federal CARES Act expired Dec. 26, 2020, including Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC).

Q: How do I know if I am receiving unemployment insurance funded by the Federal CARES Act?

A: PEUC, or extended benefits program, adds 13 weeks to exhausted unemployment benefits. If you applied for extended benefits on the Claimant Portal, you’ll see confirmation that your extended benefits application was approved on the Claimant Portal home page under Extended Benefits.

PUA is for self-employed, low wage earners or workers with denied issues who were unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals who are primarily self-employed uploaded tax information to the Claimant Portal to determine monetary eligibility.

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Federal CARES Act Unemployment Insurance Programs End Dec. 26

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Dec. 9, 2020
Media Contacts: Georgia Smith, Georgia.Smith@labor.idaho.gov or Darlene Carnopis, Darlene.Carnopis@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor reminds claimants that federal CARES Act unemployment insurance programs expire Dec. 26.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), unemployment for self-employed, low wage earners and workers with denied issues, and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), an extension that adds weeks to exhausted unemployment benefits, are the two programs set to expire.

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Idaho’s Economy Leads Recovery from Coronavirus

As of October, Idaho has recovered faster than most other states from the sudden, enormous economic losses caused by the coronavirus shutdowns in March and April. Idaho’s long-term population and economic growth gives it strong upward economic momentum. In addition, the shutdowns in the state at that time did not as severely restrict economic activity as it did in many other states.

Despite Idaho’s relative success, it’s not back to normal, and 26,400 more Idahoans were unemployed in October than in February, according to seasonally adjusted labor force statistics from the Idaho Department of Labor. In the uncertain atmosphere caused by COVID-19 and a global economic slowdown, it’s likely that restoring all the jobs lost during the pandemic will take several months. Continue reading →

Idaho’s Unemployment Continued Claims Increase 3 Percent

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Dec. 3, 2020
Media Contacts: 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 3 percent for the week ending Nov. 28 to 9,245, up 452 more than the previous week. The four-week moving average for continued claims increased from 8,343 for the week ending Nov. 21 to 8,623.

Initial claims for unemployment benefits totaled 3,991 for the week ending Nov. 28, down by 741 claims, while the four-week moving average increased by less than a percent to 4,698.

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’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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