Tag Archives: Benefits

Unemployment insurance (UI) claimants must thoroughly document work search actions

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 17, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor has identified an increase in UI claimants being denied benefits as a result of insufficient work search documentation.

Claimants must prove they are actively searching for work by completing five work search actions a week. Details and contact information for the action are then submitted by the claimant in their weekly certification. If the information provided cannot be verified by the department, benefits may be denied and overpayments may be established. Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →

Idaho Department of Labor Twin Falls office moves to Pole Line Road

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 26, 2024
Media Contact: Megan.Beyer@labor.idaho.gov

The department’s Twin Falls office has moved to a new location at 601 Pole Line Road.

The office is open to customers Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The location is shared with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

Customers will get the same assistance with resume writing, job applications, interview preparation, job training opportunities, community resources and filing for unemployment insurance benefits that was available at the previous location. Continue reading →

Webinar will teach businesses about unemployment insurance benefits, Aug. 28

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 21, 2024
Media Contact: Clinton.Renn@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho businesses and employers are invited to learn about unemployment insurance (UI) benefits from the Idaho Department of Labor during a free Zoom webinar Wednesday, Aug. 28 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. MDT.

The webinar featuring UI Support Analysts Louie Downey and Justin Pinter, will cover the claim filing process, what happens when a claimant quits or is fired and how to protect an account from charges.

Continue reading →

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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Unemployment insurance requirements in Idaho are changing July 7

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 15, 2024
Media Contact: Casey.Hofland@labor.idaho.gov

Starting July 7, Idahoans filing for unemployment insurance must complete and report five work search-related activities each week.

The increase from two to five activities claimants will be required to report each week is an outcome of House Bill 686, which passed during the 2024 legislative session and was signed into law by Gov. Brad Little.

“The Legislature’s intent with HB 686 is twofold — to increase the opportunities for Idahoans to secure meaningful work and to help businesses find employees,” said Idaho Department of Labor Director Jani Revier.

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Learn about Idaho’s unemployment insurance Navigators, May 14

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 8, 2024
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or Lisa.Grigg@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s job market has remained remarkably robust since September 2023, maintaining a steady unemployment rate of 3.3%. Excluding the immediate post-pandemic period of 2020-2021, Idaho has not had an annual unemployment rate of over 4% since 2014, according to Labor Economist Lisa Grigg.

“Despite an incredibly low unemployment rate statewide, businesses still close, change processes, or must halt work due to seasonal factors, leading workers to rely on unemployment benefits as a temporary bridge between jobs,” Grigg said.

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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.

Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →

Businesses will learn about unemployment insurance benefits at Sept. 27 seminar

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 21, 2023
Media Contact: Kandi.Rudd@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho businesses and employers are invited to learn about unemployment insurance (UI) benefits from the Idaho Department of Labor during a free Zoom seminar on Wednesday, Sept. 27 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. (MDT).

The seminar, featuring UI Supervisor Salvador Martinez and UI Claims Adjudicator Wesley Jones, will cover the claim filing process, what happens when a claimant quits or is fired and how to protect an account from charges.

Continue reading →