Category Archives: Unemployment Insurance

Unemployment insurance workshop for employers takes place Thursday

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 4, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho employers are invited to learn about unemployment insurance (UI) Thursday, May 7, from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

The workshop will take place at the Idaho Department of Labor’s Twin Falls office, 458 Parkview Loop.

UI Supervisor Vicki Raass and Workforce Consultant Oscar Escobedo will discuss in detail the different employee separations (laid off, discharged or quit), separation documentation, investigating unemployment claims, determining claim outcomes, chargeability and liability, claimant eligibility, employer attachment and using E-services.

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Boise man sentenced for unemployment insurance fraud

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 19, 2025
Media Contact: Darlene.Carnopis@labor.idaho.gov

Bryan Hayhurst, 39, of Boise, pleaded guilty to one felony count of Misrepresentation to Obtain Unemployment Benefits, which is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Hayhurst was sentenced by Ada County Judge Peter Barton on Nov. 19 to five years in prison, with two years fixed and three years indeterminate. Hayhurst was also ordered to pay restitution of $16,083.08 to the Idaho Department of Labor.

The Labor Department requires unemployment insurance (UI) claimants to report accurately when filing each week of their claim. In this case, between April 2020 through July 2020, Hayhurst claimed he had not worked when he had worked and earned wages.

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Oct. 30 webinar will educate Idaho employers on the unemployment insurance process

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 23, 2025
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho employers are invited to learn about the unemployment insurance (UI) process from the Idaho Department of Labor during a free Zoom webinar, Thursday, Oct. 30, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. MT.

Adjudication Supervisor Eric Erickson will discuss in detail the different employee separations (laid off, discharged or quit), separation documentation, investigating unemployment claims, determining claim outcomes, chargeability and liability, claimant eligibility, employer attachment and using E-services.

Register for the event here.

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Federal government shutdown: Idaho unemployment insurance benefits

Unemployment insurance (UI) information pertaining to federal workers affected by the federal government shutdown:

Q: I am a federal worker who has been furloughed. Am I eligible for unemployment?

Yes. You are considered laid off due to lack of work and you need to meet personal and monetary eligibility. However, as a federal employee, you also need to be aware of a potential unintended consequence of applying for unemployment insurance benefits.

If the federal government compensates you or back pays you for the work you missed during the furlough (as it has historically), you will be required to disclose your payment information to the department and repay any UI benefits you collect during that time.

Before you apply, note that you will not receive your first UI payment for approximately three weeks after you file for benefits.

If you have questions about the claim process, please call the claim center at 208-332-8942 or talk to a navigator at your nearest local office.

Q: What if I am one of the federal workers who are required to continue to work full time without pay?

You would not be eligible for benefits if you are working full time, regardless of pay. Full time is normally defined as 40 hours per week.

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Labor defines key terms for unemployment insurance

Are you currently receiving unemployment insurance benefits and are confused by some of the terms?

Below is an alphabetical list of common terms to help you understand your benefits with resources to learn more.

Appeal
An appeal is a request to have the Idaho Department of Labor look at your determination again and reconsider your situation. Learn more.

Base period
A base period is your wages from four (4) quarters of a calendar year. There are two types of base period used by the department when reviewing your wages, described below:

  • Regular base period: Your wage information from the first four (4) of the last five (5) completed calendar quarters.
  • Alternative base period: Your wage information from the last four (4) completed calendar quarters.

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Unemployment insurance weekly requirements to increase July 7

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: June 18, 2024
Media Contact: Josh.McKenna@labor.idaho.gov

Starting July 7, unemployment insurance claimants in Idaho will need to complete and report five work search actions each week to receive benefits. Submitting a resume or job application to an employer or attending a job fair or workshop are examples of acceptable work search actions. 

The Idaho Department of Labor offers help from navigators — unemployment insurance experts at local offices across the state — who can help claimants report their weekly actions and navigate the online claimant portal.

Workforce consultants are also available at local offices to help people with their job search, from preparing a resume to finding and applying for a job. Meeting with a workforce consultant can also be counted as a valid work search action.

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Idaho sets record lows in claim duration and unemployment rates

Idaho’s 9.3-week average duration of unemployment claims during 2022-2023 was the lowest in the state’s history and the second lowest in the nation. By comparison, the U.S. average was 15 weeks. Similarly, the state’s 2.7% average unemployment rate for 2022 was the lowest since records began in 1976, eclipsing the previous low of 2.9% in the historically tight labor market of 2018 and 2019.

Low unemployment rates are not a new thing for Idaho. The state’s unemployment rate has been below 3% for three of the last six calendar years (between 2018-2023). Idaho has not recorded an annual unemployment rate of over 4% since 2014 (excluding the immediate post-pandemic period years of 2020-2021). The U.S. has seen rates over 4% as recently as 2017.

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Common mistakes on unemployment insurance claims

The following mistakes can cause issues receiving your unemployment insurance benefits and should be avoided.

Your claim can go wrong if:

1. You don’t file a weekly certification for the weeks you want to receive payment.

You need to submit your weekly certification even if:

  • The department is obtaining wages from other states.
  • The department is still determining your eligibility.
  • You want to get waiting week credit.

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Why Did I Receive a 1099-G Tax Form?

The article was updated Jan. 15, 2026.

Why did I get a 1099-G tax form from the Idaho Department of Labor?

A 1099-G form is a summary of your unemployment insurance benefit payments. You were mailed this form if you collected or repaid benefits the prior year. The 1099-G form shows you the total taxable amount on the benefits you were paid in that calendar year.

Are unemployment insurance benefits taxable?

Yes, unemployment insurance benefits are taxable. Benefit payments are reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Can I access my 1099-G information online?

Yes. Your IRS 1099-G information will be available online by Jan. 31 at labor.idaho.gov/ClaimantPortal.

To view your Form 1099-G:

  1. Sign into your account with ID.me. This is a secure identity verification process that makes sure you’re you. Everyone who files for unemployment benefits online must log in with ID.me.
  2. Click on the HISTORY tab.
  3. Click the Details link in the 1099-G reporting tile.
  4. Open the 1099-G Doc link for the year.

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Reemployment (RESEA) interviews help people get back to work.

This blog was updated July 5, 2024Action plan graphic

What is a Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA)? 

A Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment is a required assessment designed to provide people who are unemployed with the support, tools and resources to help them return to work as quickly as possible.  Claimants who are selected are required to attend a mandatory appointment at their nearest Idaho Department of Labor office. Labor’s workforce consultants are experts at helping people find work by providing: 

  • individualized feedback.
  • resume help.
  • a work search plan.
  • free access to tools like Big Interview.
  • labor market information via JobScape.
  • ideas for seeking work and workshop information.

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