Some Idahoans Will See Their Jobless Benefits Cut

Some Idahoans receiving unemployment insurance payments will see their benefits cut by more than 10 percent.

The Idaho Department of Labor says the federal budget cuts, called “sequestration,” that went into effect at the beginning of this month triggered a 10.7 percent reduction in those unemployment benefits. Unless Congress acts, the benefit payment cuts could be in effect through at least September.

Earlier this month the Idaho Department of Labor notified over 6,000 extended benefit claimants their benefit payments and remaining extension balance will both be reduced by 10.7 percent. Weekly extended benefit payment reductions will begin with the payment for the week of March 31 and run through the week of Sept. 22.

Regular state benefits of 10 to 26 weeks for over 17,000 jobless workers are not affected by the reductions, but claimants moving from regular state benefits to extended benefits through September will see the same reductions as those currently receiving extended benefits. About 200 people a week exhaust their regular benefits without finding new jobs and move to the extended benefit program. – Idaho Department of Labor

The Labor Department reports it’s unclear what will happen to unemployment insurance benefits for people who begin those payments in October. That’s the start of the new federal fiscal year.

For more information, visit the Idaho Department of Labor’s website or go to a local Labor office.