Two odd things emerged from the brief discussion this morning re: furlough benefits in the state of Idaho. First, the top unemployment benefit payout is $362 -- or about $200 less than in Washington state. So Idahoans not only are paid far less in unemployment claims but we get to pay income tax, too. Whattadeal. Then, living in Coeur d'Alene instead of Spokane and Spokane Valley balances the scales. Secondly, you can't use the furlough time to travel. Believe it or not, the great state of Idaho requires that you stay within two hours of home while collecting unemployment benefits. So I can't combine my furlough with vacation time, for example, to take a whole month off, if I want to visit family more than two hours away. Even if you're furloughed and planning to return to work in a week. All for $362. And they check up on you. I wonder which legislative genius came up with this crazy idea?

Question: Have you ever had problems with an unemployment claim?