Learn the Unemployment Compensation Extension Federal Guidelines in West Virginia
During times when the jobless rate remains high, the United States Congress can vote to extend unemployment benefits for an additional period of time. Unemployment benefits extension programs are available through both the state and federal governments during periods of high unemployment, providing a higher level of economic security to those who are out of work. “So how can I extend unemployment?” Extended benefits can be obtained by unemployment recipients who have run through their regular unemployment insurance benefits. The basic Extended Benefits allows for 13 additional weeks of benefits if a state is experiencing a period of high unemployment. Some states have also initiated a voluntary program to pay an additional seven weeks of extended benefits totaling a maximum of 20 weeks.
Not everyone who qualifies for regular benefits qualifies for extended benefits. The weekly benefit amount of extended benefits is the same as the amount the recipient receives for regular unemployment compensation.
It is critical to note that you cannot just apply for extended benefits on any given day! An unemployment benefits extension can only apply for you when WV is experiencing very high rates of unemployment. It is only during these times that the state/federal government will activate these extended benefit programs, and they will actually mail out notifications to the eligible candidates who will receive extended benefits.
However, it is a good idea to keep your own log of benefits received to ensure that you are awarded all of the unemployment insurance coverage payments for which you are eligible. If you are unsure about whether you might be eligible for an unemployment compensation extension, you can always contact your unemployment counselor to check on whether extended benefits are available.
Learn About Emergency Unemployment Compensation in West Virginia
There was a federal unemployment extension program that was formerly active called the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC08). This program expired in 2013. It is not presently known if it will become active again. If you are curious about this program, it is suggested you contact West Virginia labor authorities or follow developments in the national news. For purposes of information, it included four stages, as follows:
Stage 1 EUC08: 20-week maximum unemployment extension
Stage 2 EUC08: 14-week maximum unemployment extension
Stage 3 EUC08: 13-week maximum unemployment extension
Stage 4 EUC08: 6-week maximum unemployment extension
In general, if you consume all of your regular unemployment insurance benefits, you normally do not have to apply for an unemployment benefits extension because the system automatically applies for you, if you are eligible. If you approach the point where your benefits will run out, contact your employment counselor to see what you have to do to receive an unemployment extension.
Federal-State Extended Benefits Duration in West Virginia
Another unemployment extension program is the Federal-State Extended Duration (FED-ED), also called Extended Benefits (EB). You can only qualify for EB unemployment benefits extension if you have exhausted all of your regular unemployment benefits. If you qualify for an EB unemployment extension, you will receive additional benefits in the amount of 20 weeks or 80 percent of the maximum benefit amount on the original unemployment claim, whichever amount is less.
Remember, these programs are only available during high unemployment periods and applicant cannot apply or initiate unemployment benefits extension process. If an applicant is are eligible for an unemployment extension in WV, the government will notify him or her by mail.
