Unemployment Benefits in Idaho
State-specific overview · Employment Law
Idaho requires workers to earn at least $1,500 in the base year and work at least 20 weeks to qualify.
How Idaho treats Unemployment Benefits
Idaho's base year is the first four of the five calendar quarters before filing a claim. Claimants must have earned at least $1,500 total and worked in covered employment for at least 20 weeks during the base year. Weekly benefit amounts are calculated based on earnings, with a maximum benefit amount set annually. Idaho generally disqualifies workers who quit without good cause or are fired for misconduct.
The general definition of Unemployment Benefits
Temporary income payments to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own.
Unemployment benefits are payments provided by the government to workers who have lost their jobs involuntarily and meet certain eligibility requirements. These benefits are funded by taxes that employers pay into a state unemployment insurance fund. To qualify, a worker typically must have been employed for a minimum period, have lost the job without quitting, and not have been fired for misconduct. Benefits are usually a percentage of the worker's prior wages and last for a limited time, often 26 weeks. Workers must actively search for new employment to continue receiving benefits.
Read the full Unemployment Benefits entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Idaho.