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West Virginia

These resources – like the public health crisis itself – are constantly evolving and are only current as to the date of publication. This page was last updated on June 5, 2020.

For more up-to-date information on the relief programs available in West Virginia, we recommend that you visit the state’s COVID-19 Business Relief Resources and Information or the West Virginia Department of Health & Human Resources' COVID-19 portal

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Description of Program and Relief

Unemployment Benefits for Those Affected by COVID-19

On March 19, 2020, Governor Jim Justice issued an executive order directing WorkForce West Virginia and the West Virginia Department of Commerce to provide unemployment benefits to individuals affected by COVID-19 to the maximum extent permitted by federal law.

The executive order allows WorkForce to:

  • Waive the normal one-week waiting period for unemployment benefits

  • Waive the able and available work requirement

  • Waive the work search requirement

  • Grant unemployment benefits to eligible individuals who are requested by a medical professional or employer to be isolated or quarantined even if they are not diagnosed.

Government or Lead Agency

Governor Jim Justice, WorkForce West Virginia, West Virginia Department of Commerce

Dates Available

March 19, 2020, and ongoing for the duration of the Governor’s declared State of Emergency due to COVID-19

Eligibility Requirements/Restrictions

Eligibility information can be found here: https://www.workforcewv.org/covid19. The executive order indicates that individuals who are separated from employment, have had their hours of employment reduced, or are prevented from working due to either a documented medical condition caused by COVID-19 or due to communicable disease control measures related to COVID-19 are eligible for unemployment benefits to the maximum extent permitted by federal law.

Application Deadlines (If Applicable)

N/A

Contact for More Information

General Information: (800) 252-JOBS

List of Additional Information

For additional information, please click here for the Governor’s executive order or visit:

https://www.workforcewv.org/covid19

To file for unemployment, please visit:

https://uc.workforcewv.org/consumer/?lang=en


© 2021 Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. This does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions, this publication may be considered attorney advertising. Past representations are no guarantee of future outcomes.

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