Idaho sees 10K return to work bonus applications on first day

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) - More than 10,0000 of Idaho’s grants indented to encouraged unemployed workers to rejoin the labor force were sought during Monday’s inaugural application window.

According to Idaho Gov. Brad Little’s office, nearly 2,000 businesses applied for the Return to Work funds.

“The incredibly strong response from employers in our Return to Work Bonuses indicates businesses absolutely need this incentive in order to get their employees back to work,” Little said in a news release.

Idaho designated $100 million in federal coronavirus relief funds to cover the bonuses. One-time cash bonuses of up to $1,500 for full-time work and up to $750 for part-time work and will be provided to the worker after return to the workplace. The funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis for qualified applicants.

The Return to Work bonuses are Idaho’s approach to counteracting enhanced federal benefits that discourage workers returning to jobs, a news release said. More than 60-percent of Americans who are out of work due to the coronavirus pandemic earn more with enhanced unemployment benefits than their normal wages.

Little said the state does not want people needlessly on unemployment when they could be working. The incentives are in response to the needs of businesses and are meant to strengthen the workforce and boost the economy.

“A strong economic rebound cannot occur without workers returning to a job,” Little said. “And the Return to Work cash bonuses counteract the federal payouts and incentivize our workforce to get back to work safely.”

Employers apply for the bonuses on behalf of their employees. Eligibility requirements and information on how to apply are available at https://rebound.idaho.gov/return-to-work-bonuses/.