Learn How To Apply For Unemployment Claims With Our Guide

Learn How To Apply For Unemployment Claims With Our Guide

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The Federal-State Extended Duration (FED-ED), also known as the Extended Benefit (EB) program, can provide qualified claimants with additional weeks of unemployment benefits. As a general rule, federal unemployment extension programs are only available during periods of high unemployment across the nation.

And not everyone who qualifies for regular benefits qualifies for extended benefits. To assist in answering questions you may have about an unemployment extension, we’ve provided helpful information below.

  • Learn About Requesting an Unemployment Benefits Extension in West Virginia
  • How to Get an Unemployment Insurance Extension in West Virginia
  • Past Federal Unemployment Extensions

West Virginia Unemployment Resources

Learn About Requesting an Unemployment Benefits Extension 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.

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.

The weekly benefit amount of extended benefits is usually the same as the amount the recipient receives for regular unemployment compensation.

No unemployment extension programs are not currently active in the United States.

If you are curious about this program, you can contact West Virginia labor authorities or follow developments in the national news.

How to Get an Unemployment Insurance Extension in West Virginia

When WV is experiencing very high rates of unemployment, the state/federal government can activate these extended benefits programs, and they will actually mail out notifications to the eligible candidates who will receive extended benefits.

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.

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 can 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, extensions are only available during high unemployment periods, and applicants cannot apply or initiate the unemployment benefits extension process until the government activates them.

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.

Past Federal Unemployment Extensions

At times, the federal or state governments establish an unemployment benefits extension program. For instance, the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program temporarily gave qualified workers additional weeks of unemployment payment in 2008, but it expired in 2013.

And in 2020, the federal government initiated the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program, which ended in 2021.

Last Updated: October 17, 2022