Idaho Jobless Rate Rises, but State is Tops in Unemployment Benefits

By J. Gelband, 11-05-07

There’s good news and bad news for Idaho’s unemployed. First the bad news: The state’s jobless rate increased in October to 2.5 percent. That’s mostly due to the traditional seasonal autumn slowdown in harvest, tourism and construction jobs. October was the highest one-month increase in 30 years.

On the national scale, unemployment remained unchanged at 4.7 percent, which makes this the 73rd month that Idaho’s unemployment rate has been below the nation’s.

That brings us to the good news: The state posted the lowest unemployment rates in the country in May, July, August, and September. And, even more good news, especially if you are part of the 2.5 percent unemployed: Idaho has the best unemployment insurance in the country.

The U.S. Department of Labor recognized the Gem State’s unemployment insurance program with the Pinnacle Award, which recognizes the state with the highest achievement and performance in timely and accurate benefit payments, eligibility, decisions, appeal decisions, and handling new employer accounts and unemployment insurance tax assessments and collections.

Idaho Labor director Roger B. Madsen accepted the award last week at the state unemployment insurance director’s conference sponsored by the National Association of State Workforce Agencies in New Hampshire.

“Our top priority has always been to provide our employers and their workers the best service possible,” Madsen said. “This award shows that hard work and dedication is paying off.”

Last year, Idaho Labor paid out $104 million in unemployment benefits to over 41,000 claimants.

But back to the stats. The department analysts do not anticipate significant changes in the 2.5 percent unemployment rate during the remainder of the year. So it’s all heavier on the good news side rather than the bad.