Tag Archives: Unemployment insurance

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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Idaho Department of Labor works to prevent, stop unemployment insurance fraud

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: June 23, 2025
Media Contact: Darlene.Carnopis@labor.idaho.gov

The conviction of Woody Roberts, 38, of Jerome, for two counts of Misrepresentation to Obtain Unemployment Insurance Benefits, began as an investigation by Idaho Department of Labor compliance staff as part of the Department’s efforts to stop unemployment insurance fraud.

“Preventing unemployment insurance fraud helps us keep unemployment insurance taxes low while still providing benefits to eligible individuals,” said Idaho Department of Labor Director Jani Revier.

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Oct. 30 webinar will educate Idaho employers on unemployment insurance tax compliance

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 22, 2024
Media Contact: Kandi.Rudd@labor.idaho.gov

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

UI Program Supervisor Eric Patera will discuss experience ratings, covered employment, corporate officers, independent contractors, accountable plan reimbursements and the employer portal.

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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.

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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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