Idaho unemployment claims jump 143% due to coronavirus. One-third were from Boise area
The number of Idahoans filing for unemployment because of coronavirus jumped for the second week in a row — up an additional 143% this week alone. More than one-third of all unemployment claims filed this week came from the Boise area.
Overall, 46,526 people have filed initial unemployment claims since Idaho Gov. Brad Little declared a state of emergency on March 15, the Idaho Department of Labor announced in a press release Thursday. A record 32,941 people filed claims from March 22-28, which was also twice as many claims as the week before.
Young people under the age of 25 and women represented a “disproportionate share” of Idaho workers affected by COVD-19 layoffs, according to an Idaho Department of Labor analysis. About half of the people who filed unemployment claims in Ada and Canyon counties last week were younger than 35.
“Women made up almost 60% of people filing initial claims,” the release stated. “This statistic flipped from two weeks earlier when men represented 67% of initial claims.”
Ada, Kootenai and Canyon counties had the highest number of unemployment claims last week, according to Idaho Department of Labor data. More than 7,000 people filed for unemployment in Ada County — half of whom work in the food service, health care and retail industries.
The highest percentage of new unemployment claims came from Idaho industries like mining, manufacturing, construction and other services. Unemployment claims from the mining sector, in particular, jumped 767% over the last week, while construction industry claims increased 256%.
How to apply for unemployment in Idaho
The Idaho Department of Labor is urging people with questions about filing claims not to call the department. Unprecedented levels of claims are creating long wait times, department staff said, and most callers will find a busy signal.
Instead, anyone with questions should review the department’s list of frequently asked questions and other filing tips online at www.labor.idaho.gov. People who need help finding open jobs in their area Idaho can also call their local labor office.
The Idaho Statesman also published a guide to applying for unemployment amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Any Idahoan who has been laid off or lost hours because of the coronavirus pandemic can apply for unemployment benefits. Since Congress passed the CARES Act, self-employed workers, those paid with 1099 or otherwise part of the gig economy may also be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits under the act.
“Idaho is working with the federal government to implement the necessary changes as quickly as possible,” the Idaho Department of Labor stated in a release earlier this week. “The U.S. Department of Labor is preparing detailed guidance on how states should proceed. Once USDOL issues the guidance, it will take the states some time to develop and implement changes.”
Idaho Department of Labor staff are still waiting for additional guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor for things like the $600 supplement for gig economy workers. However, the supplement will be applied retroactively to any eligible claimants.
Idaho Gov. Brad Little also signed a proclamation that waives the one-week waiting period for eligible applicants, considers claimants “available-for-work” if they are isolated, extends appeal deadlines and makes it easier for people laid off because of COVID-19 to qualify.
This story was originally published April 2, 2020 at 12:02 PM.
