MORGANTOWN — Gov. Jim Justice issued an executive order Thursday afternoon directing the Department of Commerce and WorkForce West Virginia to provide unemployment benefits to workers affected by COVID-19 to the maximum extent permitted under federal law.
He said in a press release that individuals who are separated from employment, have had their hours of employment reduced, or are prevented from working due to either a documented medical condition caused by COVID-19 or due to communicable disease control measures related to COVID-19 are eligible for these benefits for the duration of the statewide emergency.
His order sites President Trump’s March 13 national emergency declarations and Justice’s subsequent March 16 statewide emergency declaration.
The order lists these regulations that Commerce should waiver or interpret flexibly: the one-week waiting period for benefits; able to work and available to work requirements; work search requirements; actively seeking work requirements.
He orders Commerce to inform him of any laws or regulations that would inhibit fair and timely distribution of employment benefits.
Commerce is also ordered to postpone mandatory in-person contact with people seeking benefits and provide reasonable means for filing claims and certifications via telephone and internet.
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