West Virginia Unemployment Extensions

August 3rd, 2009 Posted in Extended Unemployment Benefits

westvirgnia West Virginia Unemployment ExtensionsIn June, the unemployment rate in West Virginia reached 9.4%, slightly lower than the national average of 9.7%. This information comes courtesy of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you’ve been among the ranks of unemployed, it’s natural if you’re worried about your benefits coming to an end. The federal government has passed the economic stimulus bill (otherwise known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) on February 17 of 2009.

Due to a signed agreement between Governor Manchin and the U. S. Department of Labor, West Virginia will receive federal funding to help people who are not employed. This agreement provides for three changes for those who receive West Virginia unemployment benefits.

First, ever since February 28, 2009, you should have been seeing an extra $25 per week of unemployment benefits. This supplement will be paid every week through July 3, 2010 for those who remain eligible. You do not have to take any action to obtain the benefits.

Second, you receive a tax break on the first $2,400 unemployment compensation benefits that you received in 2009. The first $2,400 is not counted as taxable income. You are responsible to report and amend the change in your tax liability at the end of 2009.

Third, the economic stimulus bill allows you to claim emergency unemployment compensation to December 20, 2009. EUC is available for you for up to 20 weeks. It is designed to supplement your income while you search for work.

In addition to EUC, you may also receive extended benefits for an additional 13 weeks of Virginia unemployment benefits. To be eligible for extended benefits, you cannot be entitled to receive regular benefits in any state. In addition, the work requirements are a lot more strict than they are when you receive normal unemployment benefits.

You need to file a claim for extended benefits. You can go online to www.wvbep.org/bep/UC/Ucforwv.htm for more detailed information.

As a person who is unemployed in West Virginia, there are a lot of resources available to you. Use what you need so you can get a stable job to provide you the income.

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