CHARLESTON, W.Va. — WorkForce West Virginia and the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources are reminding West Virginians that state assistance is available when the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program ends on July 25.
Under federal guidelines, the week ending July 25, 2020, will be the final week claimants can file for FPUC, which provides an extra $600 per week to everyone receiving unemployment benefit payments. Eligible claimants who are waiting on FPUC payments for any claim weeks between April 4 and July 25 will receive those payments.
“Unemployment benefits have been a lifeline to many West Virginians out of work because of COVID-19,” said Scott Adkins, acting commissioner of WorkForce West Virginia. “WorkForce paid hundreds of millions of dollars to West Virginians through the FPUC program during a time of great need and it’s important for those individuals to know that West Virginia is here to help now and after the federal program ends.”
For more information about unemployment benefits, including federal pandemic relief programs provided by the CARES Act, visit www.workforcewv.org.
Additional aid is available through DHHR programs designed to help West Virginians meet basic needs after losing income or a job. Programs include Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. DHHR also has received approval to administer benefits created specifically in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the Emergency Assistance Program and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Recovery Crisis Program.
“Unless further action comes from Congress and the federal government to extend additional unemployment assistance or make an additional stimulus payment, people in West Virginia and across the country may soon find themselves in increasingly uncertain circumstance,” said DHHR Secretary Bill J. Crouch. “In the absence of federal assistance, the Justice Administration will do what we can to help people experiencing hard times. If your circumstances are changing because FPUC is ending, I encourage you to apply and see if our programs can help you or your family.”
West Virginians who have experienced a change in income or job loss, regardless of its relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, can apply for benefits online at any time at www.dhhr.wv.gov and clicking the Programs and Online Services tab. Those who prefer submitting paper documentation can mail an application to their local DHHR office. West Virginians who have questions about assistance, information to report about their case or need a paper application mailed to them should call the West Virginia Client Services Hotline at 1-800-642-8589.