The Workforce West Virginia agency has reissued the Unemployment Insurance Benefits poster. The reissued notice includes additional information about what unemployment insurance provides, how to apply, and eligibility requirements. It also reflects that employees may file a claim for benefits either online, using the provided QR code, or in person at the nearest local office. All employers in West Virginia must replace the prior version of the notice with the latest version.
What Changed on the Latest Version?
The most notable changes to the required poster include plain language explanations of who is eligible for unemployment benefits and how to apply. Employees become eligible to apply for unemployment benefits when they lose their job or experience a reduction in full-time work, unless they are disqualified by one or more disqualification factors. As in most states, individuals are disqualified if they quit voluntarily without good cause, are fired for misconduct, or are unemployed due to a labor dispute. The notice lists nine other disqualification factors, including receiving benefits from another state or quitting work to attend school.
In West Virginia, unemployment eligibility also requires the employee to have earned at least $2,200 in gross wages during two or more calendar quarters of their regular base period or an alternative base period. A regular base period consists of the first four of the last five calendar quarters. An alternative base period is the last four completed calendar quarters immediately before the first day of the individual's benefit year. In addition to the earnings qualification, the individual must be ready and willing to work and seek employment via at least four work-search activities per week.
Benefits Application Process
The poster now states that eligible individuals can apply for benefits either online or in person at one of 17 local unemployment offices listed. The notice also provides a QR code that individuals can scan with their smartphone to visit the unemployment benefits information page directly. If visiting a local office isn’t possible, or if the affected individual cannot apply online, they can also call 1-800-252-JOBS (5627) for assistance. This information hotline can also provide assistance to walk individuals through the process of completing their application for benefits.
Employer Takeaways
West Virginia employers should immediately replace any outdated versions of the state's Unemployment Insurance Benefits poster with the updated version released by Workforce West Virginia. This notice must be conspicuously displayed in the workplace where employees can easily read it.
Labor Law Posters Online now offers the updated 2025 West Virginia State & Federal Labor Law Poster, which includes the reissued Unemployment Insurance Benefits notice. Our all-on-one poster labor law poster solution ensures you remain fully compliant with both federal and state requirements. Annual subscription customers in West Virginia will receive the updated notice automatically as part of their ongoing service.