Apply for Unemployment Insurance Benefits in the State of West Virginia Online using this service.
Unemployment insurance benefits provide temporary financial assistance to workers unemployed through no fault of their own that meet West Virginia's eligibility requirements.
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must have West Virginia wages during the past 12 to 18 months and have earned at least a minimum amount of wages as determined by West Virginia's guidelines. You must also be able to work and available for work each week that you are collecting benefits. Eligibility for unemployment compensation will be determined during the process of filing a claim. Individuals who are unsure if they qualify should still apply.
FAQs
How is my payment amount determined?
Your weekly benefit amount is based on the total covered wages you were paid during your base period. You must have been paid wages of at least $2,200 in covered employment during your base period and must have been paid wages in at least two quarters of your base period to be monetarily eligible to receive unemployment compensation benefits in the State of West Virginia.
The regular base period consists of the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before the starting date of your new claim. If you are not monetarily eligible during the regular base period, we would then explore the alternate base period to assist you in possibly becoming monetarily eligible.
What type of unemployment claim could I be eligible for in West Virginia?
Regular/total unemployment—you are totally unemployed when you are completely separated from employment, earning no wages and performing no services.
Low earnings/partial unemployment—you are partially unemployed if you were hired as a full-time employee but your regular hours and earnings are reduced due to lack of work. You are on the employer’s payroll, but that employer cannot give you full-time work. Your employer may issue you a Low Earnings Report while your work hours are reduced.
What documents do I need to file my claim in the State of West Virginia?
Although your initial application was made by phone or internet, to protect your identity, you may be asked to provide your Social Security card and a photo ID (such as a valid driver’s license) for verification purposes. Make sure you have these items available and can provide them upon request. If you are not a citizen of the United States, you will be asked to supply government issued documentation showing your work status. Your document must include an identification number, the name of the agency that issued the document, and an expiration date.
You will be asked to complete an Initial Unemployment Compensation Application, wherein you will provide the business names and complete mailing addresses for all employers for whom you worked during the last 18 months, along with the dates of employment and reason for separation from each employer.
If you were separated from the following entities, you will be asked to provide the following forms:
- Military: DD-214 form, the number four (4) copy
- Federal government: SF-8 form (separation notice)
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): SF-8 form and SF-50 form.
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