What is unemployment insurance?
Unemployment insurance benefits replace part of the income you lose when you become unemployed. It is a benefit available to workers who are out of work through no fault of their own. This means to be eligible, you must have been laid off due to lack of work, voluntarily quit with good cause connected with employment or were discharged but not for misconduct.
Unemployment insurance benefits are funded through a tax on employers, which is collected by the Idaho Department of Labor and placed in a federal trust fund. Money from that fund can be used for unemployment benefits and for no other purpose.
Have I been paying into unemployment?
Actually, the money you collect in unemployment insurance benefits is drawn from taxes contributed solely by employers. In Idaho, employees do not contribute to unemployment taxes. Nothing comes out of your paycheck to support unemployment insurance.
Can Idaho Department of Labor share my information?
We have very strict rules about releasing information. Certain state and federal agencies can get information but only what they need to do their job. The Department may be required by law to share all claim information with each interested party, such as former employers. The information you and your employer provide to the Idaho Department of Labor may be requested and utilized by other government agencies with which we have information-disclosure agreements. Precautions will be taken by these agencies to protect the confidentiality of the information. We will not give information to your friends, family or anyone else unless you give us written permission to do so.
Can my claim be audited?
Each claim is subject to review by unemployment insurance claim auditors. This is an in-depth audit covering wages earned during your base period, the circumstances of your separation, your work search and earnings on claim reports. Routine audits of claims are conducted to ensure the information reported is accurate.
Discrimination
Idaho Department of Labor is an equal opportunity program and does not discriminate in employment or provision of public service on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, political affiliation or belief. Language assistance is available to individuals with limited English proficiency. Auxiliary aids are available for any of the programs offered and are available upon request.
If you feel you have been discriminated against in any agency policy or practice, you may file a complaint with the local office manager or the state’s Equal Opportunity Officer at:
Idaho Department of Labor
317 W. Main St.
Boise, Idaho, 83735
or with:
Director, Civil Rights Center
U.S. Department of Labor
200 Constitution Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20210
All complaints must be filed within 180 days of the alleged discrimination.
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