Are you interested in learning how to file for Idaho Extended Unemployment Benefits? If so, this page will be covering the steps you will need to take and the application process to follow in order to file your claim. While filing for extended benefits is a relatively straightforward procedure, it is important that you get to know all of the program requirements before you apply.

The newest extension of federal unemployment benefits is available due to the Worker Assistance Act of 2009, a new law signed by President Obama on November 6, 2009. This Act provides federal funding for all fifty states to extend the current Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) by an additional 14 weeks of benefits. States with particularly high unemployment rates, like Idaho, will also qualify for an extra 6 weeks of compensation.http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/fact-sheet-worker-homeownership-and-business-assistance-act-2009

Prior to this most recent unemployment extension, unemployed workers in Idaho were eligible to receive up to 79 weeks of benefits, including basic unemployment compensation, state extended benefits and the initial tiers of EUC. With the addition of this extension, eligible claimants can receive benefits for almost two years.http://www.idahobusiness.net/archive.htm/2009/12/08/Idaho-unemployment-benefits-extended-with-federal-help

A short term extension of the EUC program was signed into law on April 15, 2010.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36576068/ns/politics-capitol_hill/ Another extension was signed on July 22, 2010, extended EUC until November 30, 2010.http://www.idahoreporter.com/2010/unemployment-extension-becomes-law-despite-no-votes-from-simpson-minnick/ Claimants who stopped receiving EUC during the time the program was suspended will be able to receive payments retroactive to that date. The Idaho Department of Labor will notify eligible workers how to apply for these continued benefits.http://labor.idaho.gov/dnn/Default.aspx?tabid=2405

In order to file for Idaho extended unemployment benefits, you will need to follow three steps. You'll begin by determining if you are eligible for the program, then you'll need to gather information essential to your claim, and finally you can take the necessary action to receive extended benefits!

Before you can file a claim for extended benefits, you will need to make sure that you qualify to receive the available compensation. The most important qualification that you need to meet is that you must have completely exhausted all of your available benefits before applying. If your current benefits have not yet run out, you will not qualify for the program.

You will also have to continue to meet the criteria for initial unemployment compensation.http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-file-for-unemployment-in-idaho This means that you will have to meet the following qualifications:

1. You must be currently unemployed or underemployed (having had your hours reduced)
2. You must have lost your job through no fault of your own - Generally, if you have voluntarily quit your job for no good reason or if you were fired for cause, you will not qualify for benefits.
3. You must have worked at an employer that is subject to Idaho unemployment laws
4. You must be able and available to accept full time work.

To receive unemployment compensation, you will also have to meet monetary eligibility requirements. Your benefit amounts will be based on the wages earned during your base period. The base period is a period of the first four of the last five calendar quarters, figured from the date you file your claim. Benefits will be calculated according to your highest-paid quarter wages during your base period.http://labor.idaho.gov/dnn/Default.aspx?tabid=700

When filing an unemployment claim, its imperative that you have each document necessary to properly complete the application. This will not only save time during the filing process but will help you to start receiving benefits sooner as you will not have any unnecessary delays.

1. You will need to have your Social Security Numberhttp://labor.idaho.gov/dnn/Default.aspx?tabid=700
2. You will need your Drivers License or state issued ID numberhttp://labor.idaho.gov/dnn/Default.aspx?tabid=700
3. You must be able to show proof of citizenship such as an Alien Registration Number and cardhttp://labor.idaho.gov/dnn/Default.aspx?tabid=700
4. You may need to have the past two years of [[employment information such as phone numbers dates of employment, earnings and reason for termination. http://labor.idaho.gov/dnn/Default.aspx?tabid=700
5. Prior military members must have a copy of their DD 214 or discharge formhttp://labor.idaho.gov/dnn/Default.aspx?tabid=700

Once you have assembled all of your vital information, you can take the action you need to file your claim for extended benefits. What you will need to do will depend on your status with the Idaho Department of Labor.

According to press releases, the Department of Labor (DOL) will be notifying eligible workers of their additional benefits by mail. The notices should also contain instructions to follow to file a claim for extended benefits. If you do not receive one of the letters and you feel that you qualify for the additional compensation, you can contact the Department of Labor for questions about your eligibility.

Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding state holidays.http://labor.idaho.gov/dnn/Default.aspx?tabid=701#Before3 The Department advises that you may experience long wait times if you contact your local office, due to high call volumes, so be sure to call when you have time to wait for a representative.http://labor.idaho.gov/dnn/Default.aspx?tabid=2329

In order to continue receiving your extended benefits, you will also have to continue filing your weekly benefit claims. If you have access to the Internet, the most convenient way to do this is via the Internet Continued Claims System on the Department of Labor website.

You also have the option of filing your weekly claims over the telephone using the Tel-A-Claim system or of filing on paper with the Continued Claim Form and delivering it to your local DOL office.http://labor.idaho.gov/publications/UI_handbook.pdf

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional legal advice. Please contact a law professional before using the information presented here.