Idaho improperly paid $82M in jobless benefits

A federal audit found the Idaho agency that doles out unemployment benefits improperly made about $82 million in payments over a three-year period.

The report from the U.S. Department of Labor detailed improper payments across the country and was based on a sample of claims.

The report found more than 9 percent of Idaho’s payments were in error during a three-year period that ended June 30. Idaho Department of Labor spokesman Bob Fick told The Associated Press on Wednesday the report did not reflect money that the state recouped from improper payments that were caught.

States have a Sept. 30 deadline to submit plans to the federal government on how they plan to curb improper payments.

The report was released last week and the Idaho data first reported by Idahoreporter.com.