CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s unemployed will have to do more to prove they are looking for jobs to receive state benefits under a new law that takes effect later this year.
A controversial bill was passed by the Republican majority on the last day of the Republican administration 60-day legislative period became law Thursday without Republican Gov. Jim Justice’s signature. Justice did not comment on why he did not sign or veto the bill before the midnight deadline.
The legislation includes provisions that will take effect July 1 and require people receiving unemployment benefits in the state to complete at least four job search activities per week. This could include applying for a job or taking a civil service exam.
The law also freezes the rates people receiving unemployment benefits receive from the current maximum of $622 per week, instead of a system that adjusts for inflation. People could also work part-time while unemployed and looking for full-time work. Current average benefits are approximately $420 per week.
Those who supported the measure said they were concerned about the long-term solvency of the state’s unemployment trust fund. Others said the fund is doing well and they didn’t understand why this move was necessary.
During a speech in the House of Representatives on March 9, Democratic Del. Shawn Fluharty said he didn’t like the message the legislation sent.
“Here we are, year in and year out, finding ways to find out who actually built this state: the workers,” Fluharty said.
The legislation ultimately passed was a compromise between the House of Representatives and the Senate. An earlier version of the bill, passed by the Senate, would have reduced benefit coverage from 26 to 24 weeks.
Under the Senate bill, an unemployed person would have started receiving weekly checks worth $712 — an increase from the current maximum rate of $662 — or 70% of their original wages. These checks would have been reduced by 5% every four weeks until the fourth six-week period, when the checks would be 45% of a person’s original wages.