Idaho Unemployment Benefit Questions

What if I worked in Idaho but live in another state?

Persons living in another state who want to claim unemployment insurance benefits against the State of Idaho must meet all the eligibility requirements.

You may file your claim by calling the Idaho Interstate Claims Unit at (208) 332-3574. The hours for the Idaho Interstate Claims Unit are from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Mountain Time Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to noon on Friday.

If you are filing a claim against Idaho from another state and have any questions about your claim, please call: (208) 332-3574, or write to:

Interstate Claims Unit

317 W Main St

Boise, ID 83735

Can I file a claim against another state?

Yes, if you reside in Idaho now but all of your wages during the base period1 were earned in one other state, you may file an interstate claim2. The District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are considered “states” for UI claims filing purposes.

If you have earned wages in two or more states during the base period, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands are considered “states” for UI claims filing purposes.

If you have earned wages in Idaho and at least one other state during the base period, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands, you may request the wages be combined by transferring them to the state in which you file your claim. This is called a combined-wage claim3. Canada does not participate in the combined wage agreement.

What if I am going to move out of Idaho?

If you are looking for work outside of Idaho or planning to move to another state, it is very important to notify the office where you filed your UI claim. They can provide information on transferring your claim.

Does receiving Social Security affect my benefits?

In Idaho, there is no reduction of your unemployment benefits because you collect Social Security. You must be available for work and looking for work with no restrictions just as all other claimants.

Does receiving a pension affect my benefits?

If you have actually retired, and are not seeking employment, you are not eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.  Also, if you quit your most recent job to retire, you may not be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits until you work again and earn at least 14 times your weekly benefit amount and then become unemployed through no fault of your own.

However, if you are retired and are actively seeking full time work, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits under the same conditions as all other unemployed workers.

Your weekly benefit amount may be reduced, however, if you receive a pension from an employer for whom you worked in the 18 months before you filed your claim and you did not contribute to the pension. The reduction will be the weekly equivalent of your pension. If you made any contribution to the pension, there will be no reduction.