Idaho Unemployment Benefits

The Idaho Department of Labor manages the state’s unemployment insurance program. Unemployment insurance helps people who have lost their job through no fault of their own. This program provides eligible unemployed workers with short-term financial compensation so they can pay their bills while they look for a new job.

Idaho UI Benefits Calculator

The Idaho Unemployment Benefits Calculator helps you estimate your UI weekly benefits amount.

Idaho Unemployment Calculator

The Idaho Department Of Labor provides Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits to unemployed people to help them replace part of the income they lost when they become unemployed. However, one should meet several eligibility requirements to qualify for Idaho unemployment benefits. Below we have listed UI eligibility criteria and much more information.

Eligibility for UI Benefits In Idaho

In order to receive unemployment benefits in Idaho, you must meet the state’s eligibility requirements. This includes:

• Being mentally and physically able to work
• Actively looking for a full-time job
• Staying in your labor market
• Registering with IdahoWorks

Monetary eligibility

To determine your weekly benefit amount, the state will review how much money you earned during your base period. Your base period is the first four out of the last five completed quarters that you worked before filing for benefits. If you don’t qualify for benefits under this time period, the department will try to qualify you under an alternate base period, which is the last four quarters worked.

To qualify for benefits, you must:

• Have earned at least $1,872 in one quarter
• Have wages in the other three quarters that are at least 35% of the wages in your highest earning quarter

The more you earned during your base period, the higher your weekly benefit amount will be.

Job separation

To be eligible for unemployment benefits, you should be out of work through no fault of your own. This can happen if you were laid off by your employer due to lack of work or were discharged—but not for misconduct. You may also qualify if you voluntarily quit for a good cause related to your employment.

If your separation from your employer is not due to a lack of work, you will receive a written determination regarding your eligibility.

Eligibility Calculator

Maintaining Eligibility

• To receive unemployment benefits, you need to confirm your eligibility every week by meeting the work search requirements and submitting a weekly certification. When filling out your weekly certification, you will be asked:
  • Whether you were able and available for work
  • If you worked during the week
  • How much money you earned
  • What work search activity you performed to find a new job

Learn about job search requirements

How To Apply For UI Benefits In Idaho?

To receive UI benefits in Idaho, the applicant must submit the following documents:

An applicant can apply for unemployment benefits in Idaho through any of the following ways:

To receive unemployment benefits in Idaho, you must apply through the iUS Claimant Portal. You will need to create an account with ID.me, an identity verification platform, to do so.

When creating an account to apply for benefits, you will need to:

• Set up a username and password
• Give your contact information
• Provide personal information, including Social Security number
• Supply work history and contact info for all employers in the past two years

Learn how to apply for Idaho UI

How To File Weekly Claims

In order to receive Idaho unemployment benefits, you must file a claim every week to certify that you meet the state’s eligibility requirements. You must do this within seven days of the week ending date. If you do not file your claim on time, you may not receive benefits for that week.

You can file your weekly certifications online by logging into the portal with the ID.me username and password you created when you initially filed for benefits. From there, you will access your weekly certifications on the homepage and answer all questions until you receive a confirmation number.

Learn how to claim weekly benefits

Things To Know After Filing An Application

To continue receiving unemployment benefits, it is crucial to understand and meet the state’s eligibility requirements. Here are a few key points to remember while navigating the process of receiving unemployment compensation:

Unemployment fraud

Unemployment fraud in Idaho refers to the act of making false statements or withholding information to obtain unemployment benefits. This can be done by misrepresenting work history, income, or reasons for job separation. The state takes unemployment fraud seriously, and has implemented measures to prevent and investigate such activities. As an unemployment insurance claimant, it is your responsibility to understand the laws and ensure you are adhering to them.

Overpayments

An overpayment occurs when you receive more benefits than you are entitled to under the state’s unemployment insurance laws. This can happen due to errors made by the claimant or by the Idaho Department of Labor. The state may seek to recover the overpaid benefits through various means, including wage garnishment and tax refund offsets.

Extended Benefit programs

Idaho only provides extended unemployment benefits under certain circumstances, like when the unemployment rate reaches a certain threshold or when a devastating natural disaster occurs.

Currently, there are no extended benefits available in Idaho. Eligible individuals can receive regular unemployment benefits for 10 to 26 weeks, depending on how much they made during the base period and the average Idaho unemployment rate.

Job training assistance

Idaho has many job training programs that are designed to meet the needs of different groups of workers, such as veterans and people with disabilities. Popular job training programs in Idaho include:

• Able to Work
• Farmworker Services
• Idaho Launch
• IdahoWorks
• Next Steps Idaho
• Veteran Services
• And More

Find job training opportunities in ID

 

Idaho Unemployment Office Locations and Phone Numbers

If you have questions about your unemployment claim or the process of applying for benefits, you can call the Idaho unemployment claims center.

If you’re interested in learning more about the job seeker services available to you as a job seeker, need to review local labor market information, or wish to schedule an appointment with an Unemployment Insurance Navigator, visit your local Idaho Labor Office.

Common questions about Idaho unemployment insurance

Can I file for unemployment benefits if I am traveling or sick?

As long as you are actively searching for full time work, most health issues should not affect your ability to receive unemployment benefits. However, if you turn down suitable work due to illness, you may not be eligible for benefits.

Additionally, if you leave the area where you are seeking employment, such as for a vacation or to visit a relative, you may be denied benefits, even if you continue to search for work during your absence.

Do I have to pay federal taxes on my unemployment benefits?

Yes, unemployment insurance benefits are subject to federal income tax. You can opt to have 10% of your benefit payments withheld for federal taxes by updating your account settings in the iUS claimant portal.

The Idaho Department of Labor cannot withhold state taxes, so you will need to plan ahead to ensure you pay state taxes on your benefits.

What is the maximum benefit amount I can receive?

Idaho’s maximum weekly benefit amount is currently $532. This number is re-evaluated at the end of each calendar year.

How do I end my claim after I get a full time job?

Once you resume full time work, you can simply stop filing weekly certifications—there is no need to contact the Idea Department of Labor. Your claim will automatically become inactive after you have stopped filing weekly certifications for two weeks in a row.

Can I file for unemployment benefits in another state while living in Idaho?

If you earned wages in another state while living in Idaho, you can file for unemployment benefits in that state. If you earned wages in both Idaho and another state during the base period, you may be able to transfer those wages to the state where you file your claim. This is called a combined-wage claim.