Apparently in response to the federal government giving $600 bonuses to workers laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the state of Idaho has decided to ‘see that bet and raise it’ to $1500 in order to wean the unemployed off the $600 bonus with a $1500 one. Idaho Governor Brad Little has announced the Return To Work Bonuses Program, funded to the tune of $100 million from the state’s allocation of CARES Act funds. The program will reward employees who filed for unemployment benefits after March 1, returned to work between May 1 and July 1, 2020 and have been back at work for at least four consecutive weeks at the time of application. Those who qualify will receive a one-time bonus of $1,500 for full-time workers (30 hours per week) and $750 for part-time employees (20 hours/week). Employers must apply for the bonuses, which will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, on behalf of their employees between July 13 and August 7, 2020. It is also available to employees who are “returning to work with a new employer”, but not to those who worked throughout the pandemic or earn more than $75,000 annually.