 | Max. Weekly Benefit Amount $424 | Max. Weeks of Benefits 26 | Current Jobless Rate 4% |
$424
26
4%
Updated : March 24th, 2023
West Virginia Unemployment Benefits
The West Virginia Unemployment Insurance (UI) program offers temporary financial assistance to those who have lost their job through no fault of their own. On this page, we will tell you all about unemployment benefits in West Virginia, including the eligibility requirements, application process, and overpayments.
Eligibility To Apply For UI Benefits In West Virginia
You must meet monetary and job separation requirements to receive unemployment benefits in West Virginia.
Monetary Eligibility
You must have earned $2,200 gross wages in your entire base period and have paid wages in two or more quarters of your base period to monetarily qualify for West Virginia unemployment benefits.
Base Period: In West Virginia, the base period is the first four of the five complete calendar quarters before the start date of your unemployment claim. If you don’t have sufficient wages in the regular base period, the Workforce will consider your wages in the alternate base period.
Alternate Base Period: It is the last four completed calendar quarters preceding the first day of your benefit year.
Find out more about eligibility requirements
Job Separation
Another critical eligibility requirement for qualifying for Unemployment Insurance in West Virginia is the reason for separation from the previous employer. You can qualify for unemployment benefits only if you have lost your job through no fault of your own.
But under certain circumstances, you may qualify for unemployment benefits if you quit your job, provided the reason for quit is any of the following:
- You quit your job because of dangerous working conditions
- You quit your job due to the domestic violence
- You had a medical condition and were unable to work
- You quit the job due to the harassment by your employer, or the employer was unable to stop harassment by a coworker
Note: The Workforce West Virginia may contact your employer to determine the actual reason for your job separation. If the Workforce figures out that the reason you gave was incorrect or misleading, it will disqualify you from receiving benefits. Therefore, give the exact reason for your job separation to the Workforce.
Eligibility requirements – overview
Maintaining Eligibility
You should maintain your eligibility throughout your benefit period. You can maintain eligibility in the following ways:
- Claim benefits at a local unemployment office
- Register for work with the Job Service Office
- Participate in profiling and reemployment services
- Actively looking for a suitable job
- Serve a waiting period (one week) during your benefit year
- Be able to work and available for full-time work
- Have earned gross wages that are less than your weekly unemployment benefit amount plus $60 during the week for which you file a claim
Find out on job search requirements
How To Apply For UI Benefits in West Virginia?
To apply for West Virginia unemployment benefits, you need the following documents:
You can apply for unemployment benefits in West Virginia through any of the following methods:
Online
You can apply for unemployment benefits online. Visit uc.workforcewv.org and select “To file a new or additional initial unemployment claim” to file a claim online.
Mail Or In-Person
If your employer gives you a low earnings report, you may file the form in-person or by mailing it to your nearest unemployment claims office or in-person.Visit https://uc.workforcewv.org/Contact.aspx to find the local offices.
Telephone
You can also apply for West Virginia unemployment benefits by calling 1-800-379-1032.
Note: You can call 1-800-252-JOBS (5627) or dial 711 for the WV relay line to talk to representatives and clear your queries. The center remains open Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
How To File Weekly Claims
You can file your weekly unemployment claim certification either online by visiting https://uc.workforcewv.org/Consumer/Login.aspx?app=cc or by calling 1-800-379-1032.
Note
- You must certify your answers before submitting your weekly certification, as you cannot change them once you apply.
- File weekly claim certification between Sunday at 12:01 a.m. and Friday at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Delay in filing the certification can result in loss of unemployment benefits for that week.
UI Benefits Amount
The UI benefits amount depends on your base period. The West Virginia minimum weekly benefit amount is $24, and the maximum benefit amount is $424.
Benefits Calculator
Use the benefits calculator to determine your estimated weekly unemployment benefit amount.
[benefits_calc_westvirginia]
Know more about the Benefits Calculator
Things To Know After Filing An Application
There are several aspects that you must know after filing for unemployment benefits.
Overpayment And Fraud
Sometimes, you may receive benefits more than what you are entitled to. Overpayments can occur due to various reasons, including an administrative error, a hearing officer reversing a previous award, or you were later found to be unemployed through your fault and were disqualified from receiving unemployment benefits.
If you receive an overpayment through no fault of your own, you will be required to repay the overpaid unemployment benefits. You can repay the overpayments either through the mail or check. If you are unable to do so, contact Workforce West Virginia.
Fraud/ Willful Misrepresentation
If you receive overpayments due to false statements or misrepresentation intentionally, you will be punished by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000, or be jailed, or both. You may also be disqualified from receiving benefits for some weeks, pay a 20% penalty on overpaid amounts, and may face criminal charges.
Benefits Extension
Normally, the state of West Virginia provides benefits for up to 26 weeks. However, if the unemployment rate is too high, it may provide extended benefits. Visit Workforce West Virginia to know more about the benefits extension programs.
Job Training Assistance
The West Virginia workforce offers development services to help you find a job or acquire new skills. The local offices throughout the state offer one-on-one assistance and a database of jobs to help you screen employment opportunities online. The state’s career services can help you conduct a job search, prepare a cover letter and resume, and improve interview skills.
West Virginia Phone Numbers
Find the below-listed phone numbers of unemployment offices in West Virginia:WV Unemployment Office Numbers
| Tel-Service (File claim for benefits) | 1-800-379-1032 |
| (TTY/Voice) | 800-676-3777 |
| Unemployment Compensation Board of Review | 304-558-2636 or 800-635-0189 |
| Unemployment Insurance Fraud Hotline | 1-800-252-JOBS |
| Claims information | 1-800-252-JOBS (5627) |
| Unemployment Insurance Fraud Hotline (for employers) | 681-313-2711 |
Locate your nearest unemployment office
I was approved and have a 12 thousand dollar balance and don’t no how or y I am not getting paid I haven’t received any of it and it said there’s no outstanding weeks to claim but I’m Eliable with a money on my balance can you help me get on track
Will the State UEO back up and pay since I have been out of work since April 1, 2021? What do I need to do to get a hold of someone in the Logan County office it’s all automated and I can’t talk to anyone via telephone about it. Any information and a phone number to where I can speak to a real person and get them to look into my case and possibly back up and get me paid since I am out of work and have 3 kids.
I filed for WV Unemployment. Deputy Decision…I was approved. 6weeks later. My claim is in hold. My employer finally responded back(giving false) information which has now led me filing appeal after appeal since May 2020. Even tho my employer wrote a Letter stating I was employed that I did not quit…..the Board of Review keeps denying my claim…bc now they say my claim is based on the WHY my appeal was filed late….which I explained showed proof to my best perfection only to be denied again none of this would have happen and no appeals would be filed if my employer didn’t give false info. Please any information that can lead me to help with my claim so I can get my money that i deserve is appreciated
Shirley,
If you think it was not your fault, please submit more paperework.
What do you do if your PIN number is not working when Filing a “new/additional Initial Claim” and you can’t get any further. BUT, if you call the 1-800 number it will allow me to use my social and a PIN that I believed was right to give me information ,HELP ASAP
If you tried to use any part of your birthdate or ss # or any other apparent form of identification, the system will kick it out and automatically default to the day you filed your initial claim. They won’t tell you this and I spent hours trying to get a human to speak to (I’m an out of state claimant). Try that.
Derek,
If you’re unable to get through with the Claims phone line, please visit the official website for possible availability of PIN reset options. Here’s the weblink – https://workforcewv.org/unemployment?
I worked most of 2018 in WV but my staffing company reported my wages in my home state of Ms which pays only $235 a month. The company is out of PA and uses ADP for payroll. Is this a legal activity?
I was discharged from employment. I was not able to file weekly claims due to pending investigation. I received the deputy’s decision in my favor 3 weeks later which stated the employer failed to prove misconduct and no eligibility issue is known to exist. Will I be able to get paid for the 2 weeks I wasn’t able to file due to the investigation?
Melissa,
If you had filed, you would have received benefits retrospectively. I am not sure if you can now. Please call the Claims Center for clarity.
Gary,
To vet its legal conformity, please call the Unemployment Office.
I need a copy of my 2016 unemployment 1099 form, and I have been told since not in the current year that is not available. Is this correct?
Kim,
You should still be able to get access to it. Please call the Claims Center on the phone numbers provided.
I left my job and moved to another area in WV. Will I be eligible for unemployment? It is difficult to find a job in the area I moved to
Diana,
You will not be eligible since unemployment insurance is only extended to those who become unemployed due to involuntary reasons.
What is Workforce WV fed id for tax filing?
Please call the Unemployment Office for specific details.
I was upset and could not receive the unemployment benefit with the low income report after those benefits approved when I had under 80 dollars per week from working sometime and zero income in two months in the winter/spring. I work for the company in 3 years but workforce office worker told me to get the benefit till I found the benefit was zero. That is a lot lies at WV employment office. I never received the benefits in 3 years of every winter/springs after workforce workers lied.
John,
If you feel you’ve been deceived, please consider “Appealing” the decision by asking for an adjudicator.
I was laid off on the 15th of November filed for unemployment, waiting my one week waiting period, told after I received my first check that I would have to open a new claim again, now I have to wait another week? How is that possible. here it is the 5th and I have to wait again? so it will be 2 checks in 4-5 weeks, no wonder people cant make it and get upset, we pay into this when we work and they want to act like we don’t deserve it
James,
If there is a delay, please chase the Claims Center at regular intervals for an update on payment status.
I have been fighting with the “supposedly competent” WV PUA Unemployment Claims Division since the end of August regarding a check they sent and lost in the mail for all of my unemployment initial backpay. This check is almost a $12,000 check. I have the saved email from workforce of wv. I’ve called and jumped through every set of new hoops they tell me to. I have copies of where I have had to actually sign a lost check in the mail form that was then sent to the IRS. And u what. Still no damn check or money or help. No call backs, no damn basic reassurance that hey I wont lose everything this check will show up just keep doing what they telling u too. But no. And also to add insult to injury my account was hacked toward the end of this year. I’d say most definitely in December it got hacked to where I couldn’t access it. I called and reported this occurrence to the damn fraud department and guess what I still have no access to my account whatsoever. I’ve had to send in everything from my ID verification to my unemployment verification at least 10 copies of each and I still have had no help. I’ve lost everything. I thought my state would have provided and cared more for me. I’m calling today this date of 06/14/2021 in probably about 3 hours because hopefully they will actually be open and maybe someone can help me. But otherwise if this doesn’t work I think I may be doomed to live my summer in the tent under the bridge. I’m a good person and I really need the help so please if anyone sees this and can help please respond.
To add insult to injury this family is devastated. My side of the story is not heard. Have received numerous acculates on this job for numerous reasons, customer appreciation, attendance, never missed work, employee of the year, scores with secret shopper-excellent. Why can’t this state do their job, investigate the problem, I am not it, sorry to be a lifetime resident of the state. Shame its come to this.To let an employer get away with this and the state to make a final decision is just enough to make me puke!My phone # is 304-277-4559, if anyone cares…
Roberta,
I can understand what you’re going through. If you think you were denied UI benefits wrongfully, please file an “Appeal”. You can find details regarding the adjudication process on the website of the Unemployment Office.
I worked 37 years for Wheeling Downs, was terminated for unjust cause, whether or not for this state to deny my unemployment is just unfair. What am I suppposed to do? Its a shame Delaware North denies my claim and the state of WV does not overturn this action. My benefit should have been accepted. Delaware North which is one of the top ten worst employers to work for. Really?
Due to a loss of grant funding, I have been given the option of working half time through the end of April, or being laid off on April 1 and collecting unemployment. I have two questions: If I opt for half time (at half the pay) for one month, will it negatively affect my future unemployment rate? If I opt to work half time, will I be eligible to collect low earnings compensation from unemployment?
Answers to your questions as below.
1) Since it will be considered as income, it may reduce your unemployment compensation by a bit.
2) You should still be eligible to collect since it was involuntary.
I suggest that you speak to the Unemployment Office for further clarification.
I was recently relieved of my duties because my supervisor claimed she didn’t tell me to hold a mailing and I didn’t mail it out in a timely manner. It was investaged and I was relieved of my duties. Would I be eligible for unemployment?
If it was your fault, you will not be eligible. If you were terminated wrongfully, you can apply and claim Unemployment benefits.
I am a employer who has a employee that has applied for unemployment. He was fired because he was drunk on the job, can he still receive unemployment.
If the employee was fired due to being “Drunk on the job”, he/she will not be eligible to receive Unemployment Compensation.
If back pay is receive via grievance outcome, does the unemployment received while off to be paid back, or does the payment to unemployment through payroll take care of this.
Please contact the labor authorities in your state for further information.
I am planning on retiring in 2018. If my Texas employer forces me to retire before then can I still file for unemployment even if I am receiving my retirement?
You should be eligible, provided you are able and available for work.
The claimant must be actively looking for jobs to ensure continuity in benefits.
My husband’s company has been after him as to when he was going to retire. He told them he wanted to wait until 1st of March 2016 so he could get his full retirement benefits come February. They have hired someone to replace him and now looks like he will be out of a job the middle of October. Can he received unemployement or will he have to take his retirement before his full benefits come into play?
I filed 9 months ago got determination in July still no card no money no human to talk to!! What’s going on I’m loosing everything starving here when need help can’t get it this government sucks!! Didn’t get 1st stimulus check due to child support an may not the next one what people like me suppose to do
Heather,
I can understand your situation. There will be a delay considering the number of applications that are being processed. Please continue chasing the office/check your status online at regular intervals
If he is laid off before retirement and continues to look for jobs, he can receive unemployment compensation.
I was working 40hrs a week got into car wreck was unable to work for little while Dr. released me to go back the place I was working told me I had to be fill in now now can I draw
If you left the job for medical reasons, you will not qualify for UI.
Please check further with the labor authorities in your state and file accordingly.
how do I get insurance. im in WV
My employer has not paid me or my fellow employees since Oct 3 2013, we are on a 2 week pay period. We were not paid on Oct 17 2013, My employer has filed for chapter 11 bankruptcies protection in the state of Pennsylvania in the mounth of August. Is there anyting we can do other than wait for him to pay us
when my 26 weeks of UI ends from NC in october, I have moved to WV in March 2013, can I receive fed extension? I worked in NC for 28 years and paid into unemployment continuously during those 28 years with no unemployment.
I am not sure about few facts which you have mentioned but it is important for you to know that irrespective of where you stay now, you can claim benefits from the state where you worked last. In your case it is NC. As you already know, extension is unavailable in NC.