Tag Archives: unemployment insurance benefits

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 →

Explaining Idaho’s UI Tax System – Claimants and Benefits

Idaho’s unemployment insurance (UI) program is generally like any other insurance program. It has the same basic components – an intake of funds from insured entities that go into a pooled reserve from which pre-established, eligible losses some experience are covered (Grollier, 2003). Where it differs is it is government run and the source of funds is taxes on employers pooled into a regulated trust fund, with the output the replacement of partial wages for eligible workers.

Though the basic components are similar, this straightforward comparison is too simplistic for the complex UI machine. Explaining how modern cars work by describing the basic components of an engine combusting gasoline to make wheels turn around and around does not really provide enough insight into the inner workings of the car to understand how it works. There is more to a car’s operation and to make it is easier understand, it’s useful to focus in on one aspect at a time. For our overview of the UI program we will take the same approach and focus on benefits and claimants.

Continue reading →

Labor Direct Job Referral Program Begins June 1

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 28, 2021
Media Contact: Georgia Smith, georgia.smith@labor.idaho.gov

A new Department of Labor referral program will result in more customized matches between job seekers and Idaho employers.

Starting June 1, department workforce consultants will refer qualified unemployment insurance claimants to job openings posted on IdahoWorks, the state’s job search engine, during one-on-one meetings.

Claimants will be referred to the job openings based on their skills and experience – and they must apply to fill the vacancy within two business days to remain eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.

Continue reading →

Claimants Must Look for Work to Receive Unemployment Benefits

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: April 23, 2021
Media Contacts: Georgia Smith, Georgia.smith@labor.idaho.gov

Pre-pandemic work search requirements for unemployment insurance claimants will be reinstated starting Sunday, April 25.

Idaho has returned to low unemployment levels with 3.2% for March 2021 after hitting an all-time high 11.6% seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate in April 2020. Idaho set the pace for the nation in its economic rebound from the pandemic and was the first state to experience year-to-year job growth.

The work search requirement means Idahoans who are out of work and collecting unemployment benefits will need to look for full-time employment unless they are returning to work with their employer within 16 weeks of their layoff date or are an active member of a work referral union. This is not a new requirement; rather a return to the process from before the pandemic.

Claimants who do not meet their work search requirements will not receive unemployment benefits for the week claimed. Approximately 4,500 claimants will be impacted by this change.

The work search requirements apply to regular and federal CARES Act unemployment insurance programs. Claimants – including self-employed individuals – need to report two work search contacts on their weekly certification application. These work search contacts cannot be self-employment or 1099 gig work.

The most common valid work-search activity is to apply for a job with an application, resume or cover letter. Employment services may also count as valid work search activities. These include setting up an in-person or phone appointment with a Labor workforce consultant for help with interview skills and resumes, on-the-job training, apprenticeships and virtual workshops or job fairs.

Job seekers can get connected with a workforce consultant in their area by filling out this form. Information on upcoming job fairs and workshops can be found on the Labor website calendar of events.

Learn more about Idaho’s work search requirements on the Labor website.

— end —

Labor Department Partners with ID.me for Claimant Identity Verification

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 7, 2021
Media Contacts: Darlene Carnopis, darlene.carnopis@labor.idaho.gov or Georgia Smith, georgia.smith@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor has partnered with ID.me for unemployment insurance claimant identity verification.

The information gathered from claimants is needed to make sure others are not filing claims using the person’s name and other personally identifying information. This is one step Labor is taking to help prevent fraud.

Thousands upon thousands of unemployment insurance claims have been filed by scammers using false or stolen identities across the country. It is estimated these scammers have siphoned off $36 billion in fraudulent unemployment payments from states since the start of the pandemic and the implementation of the CARES Act.

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.

Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →

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 →

Idaho’s Unemployment Continued Claims Tick Up Slightly

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 5, 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 unemployment insurance benefits increased 1 percent for the week ending Oct. 31 to 8,124, ending 25 consecutive weeks of declines. The four-week moving average for continued claims fell by 3 percent – down from 8,442 for the week ending Oct. 24 to 8,187.

Initial claims for unemployment benefits totaled 3,919 for the week ending Oct. 31, increasing by 57 claims while the four-week moving average was up by 7 percent to 3,648.

Continue reading →

Idaho’s Unemployment Continued Claims Decrease for 25th Consecutive Week

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 29, 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 unemployment insurance benefits fell for the 25th consecutive week, dropping 2 percent for the week ending Oct. 24 to 8,024. The four-week moving average for continued claims fell by 5 percent – down from 8,910 for the week ending Oct. 17 to 8,442.

Initial claims for unemployment benefits totaled 3,862 for the week ending Oct. 24, increasing by 569 claims while the four-week moving average was up by 7 percent to 3,407.

The department paid out $6 million in claims during the week ending Oct. 24, up from $5.8 million for the week ending Oct 17. Regular state benefit payouts were $1.8 million, the same as the previous week, but 2.1 times higher than the same week in 2019. Of the CARES Act programs, Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) payments paid out $1.6 million, the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) paid out $2.3 million, up from $2.1 million the previous week, and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) paid out $.3 million, up $.1 million.

Continue reading →