“What can I do to extend unemployment in Idaho?” is a concern for unemployment insurance claimants reaching the end of their claim. Idaho’s Department of Labor (DOL) provides up to 26 weeks of unemployment compensation benefits.
- Learn About Requesting an Unemployment Benefits Extension in Idaho
- How to get an Unemployment Extension in Idaho
- Alternatives to an Idaho Unemployment Extension
- Past Federal Unemployment Extensions in Idaho
Qualified unemployment claimants have a benefit year – 52 weeks – to collect compensation payments. If a claimant exhausts the full amount of their unemployment, they cannot file another claim until after that benefit year.
Idaho unemployment extensions and federal unemployment extensions are available under specific circumstances for qualified claimants.
Idaho Unemployment Resources
Learn About Requesting an Unemployment Benefits Extension in Idaho
The only unemployment benefits extension in Idaho is the Extended Benefits (EB). EB is available to unemployment claimants after they have exhausted their regular unemployment claims. This unemployment extension in ID provides an additional 13 weeks of compensation benefits.
Idaho unemployment compensation extensions have extenuating eligibility requirements. Claimants eligible for regular unemployment may not be eligible for a federal unemployment extension in Idaho. Claimants can check with DOL about unemployment extension eligibility requirements.
How to Get an Unemployment Extension in Idaho
“How can I extend unemployment?” is a question that many unemployment claimants have after the 26 weeks of regular unemployment claim benefits. However, Idaho unemployment extensions are contingent on the number of unemployed persons rather than an individual’s efforts. When a high state unemployment rate triggers Extended Benefits, Idaho DOL notifies unemployment claimants.
Idaho unemployment benefits extensions require claimants to complete an application. DOL mails the ID unemployment extension application to unemployment claimants who have exhausted their regular unemployment claim. If EB triggers active and you are eligible for an unemployment compensation extension but have not received an application, you may request one with the DOL.
After approval of ID unemployment extension, claimants will still need to certify for benefits weekly. Certifying for unemployment compensation extension is the same as the weekly certification for regular unemployment claim benefits.
- Unemployed or underemployed.
- Lost job or hours by no fault of your own.
- Able, available and actively seeking new employment.
Alternatives to an Idaho Unemployment Extension
If an Idaho unemployment extension is not available due to a reasonable unemployment rate in the state, alternatives may be available for claimants who have exhausted their regular unemployment benefit claims. If your loss of employment is the direct result of a declared disaster, you may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).
DUA operates like an unemployment extension by offering workers partial compensation while they look for new employment. DUA is only available after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declares a major disaster. DUA provides up to 26 weeks of additional payment.
Unemployment claimants who have lost their job due to foreign imports may be eligible for Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA). TRA offers an unemployment extension with additional weeks of unemployment compensation to qualified claimants. TRA also provides financial help for relocation, job training and job search assistance.
The state of Idaho has many financial assistance programs, like:
- The Emergency Food Assistance Program.
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
- Idaho Telephone Service Assistance Program.
- Weatherization Assistance Program.
Past Federal Unemployment Extensions in Idaho
In 2008, following an increasingly high national unemployment rate, the federal government enacted the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC08) program. EUC08 was a 100 percent federally funded unemployment extension for qualified unemployment claimants who had exhausted their regular unemployment benefit claim.
Since the EUC08 creation, several changes have been made to the program. With the implementation of new bills, like the Middle-Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, benefit weeks and the state’s total unemployment rate are added, adjusted and removed.
Though the federal unemployment extension expired in December 2013, Congress has the ability to add extensions. And in 2020, the federal government initiated the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program. However, no federal unemployment extensions are currently active.
Last Updated: February 28, 2023