Understanding Idaho Unemployment Compensation Extensions
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 claim. 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.
Find Out 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.
The same eligibility standards as regular unemployment claim apply to unemployment extensions such as:
•Unemployed or underemployed.
•Lost job or hours by no fault of your own.
•Able, available and actively seeking new employment.
Learn About 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 lost 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.
Learn About Past Federal Unemployment Extensions in Idaho
In 2008, following an increasingly high nationwide 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. The federal unemployment extension added weeks of compensation benefits for claimants to cover necessities like shelter and food. EUC08 had four tiers that detailed the amount of additional benefit weeks provided and total unemployment rates required in states to qualify for the federal unemployment extension.
The program divided the tiers as follows:
- Tier 1 of the federal unemployment extensions was available in every state and extended benefits up to 20 weeks, regardless of current or past total unemployment rate.
- Tier 2 extended benefits up to 14 weeks in states with a total unemployment rate of at least six percent in the most recent three consecutive months.
- Tier 3 extended benefits up to nine weeks in states with a total unemployment rate of at least seven percent in the most recent three consecutive months.
- Tier 4 extended benefits up to 10 weeks in states with a total unemployment rate of at least nine percent in the most recent three consecutive months.
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. No federal unemployment extensions are currently active.
