Idaho Department of Labor begins making payments for Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation
BOISE — The Idaho Department of Labor began making more than $63 million in payments for the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program on Friday, which provides temporary emergency funds of $600 per week for claimants.
It will take approximately three business days for claimants to see the funds in their bank accounts or debit cards once it has been issued. The payments are retroactive to March 29 or the first week the individual received benefits, whichever is later. The payment will be delivered in one lump sum.
Claimants do not need to do anything extra to receive the $600 weekly, but they should continue to file weekly claims. Claimants with pending issues preventing payment will not receive the additional funds until the issues are resolved and they are allowed benefits. There is no need to call the department as claimants can check the Claimant Portal to confirm payment.
More information about the program can be found on the Labor website on the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program page.
The department has also created new webpages to provide details on the benefits and implementation of the other CARES Act programs:
• The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program provides unemployment benefits to individuals who became unemployed because of COVID-19 and are not eligible for regular benefits. It covers self-employed workers, independent contractors, gig economy workers and part-time workers who do not have enough work history to be eligible for an Idaho claim. Payments will begin in May.
• The Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program adds an additional 13 weeks to a claimant’s unemployment claim once they exhaust benefits. Payments will begin in late April or early May.
How to apply for each program is provided on the webpages, and claimants do not need to call the office to apply.
Other information about the unemployment insurance program and COVID-19 can be found on the IDL website.