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May 6, 2020
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PANDEMIC EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION FAQs |
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The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act creates a new temporary federal program called Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC).
PEUC provides up to 13 weeks of additional unemployment benefits to individuals who previously collected state or federal unemployment compensation (UC) but exhausted those benefits.
Who is eligible for PEUC?
You are eligible for PEUC if:
• You exhausted your regular state or federal benefits after July 1, 2019;
• You are not currently eligible for state or federal unemployment benefits; and
• You are able and available to work and actively seeking work, except in instances where COVID-19 has made it not possible, including illness, quarantine, or "stay at home" orders.
How do I know if I exhausted my benefits?
You have exhausted your benefits when:
You are not eligible for regular UC benefits because you have received the maximum amount of these benefits available to you based on your employment or wages during your base period; OR
Your benefit year ended on or after July 1, 2019.
How do I file for PEUC?
If you currently have an open UC claim, there is nothing for you to do other than continue filing your bi-weekly claim. You cannot apply for any UC programs in advance, so you must wait for the week after your benefits are exhausted to apply for PEUC.
If you have exhausted the maximum amount of regular UC available to you and are unable to file a new claim until your current benefit year expires, you will be eligible for up to 13 weeks of additional benefits through the PEUC program. You will receive a notice with instructions on how to apply.
If you remain totally or partially unemployed when your benefit year ends, you must file a new application for regular UC before your PEUC application can be considered. Instructions to apply for PEUC online is posted at www.uc.workforcewv.org.
How much is the PEUC weekly benefit amount?
Your PEUC weekly benefit amount is the same as your regular UC weekly benefit rate.
Your weekly benefit rate is based on your reported earnings during the base year (the first four of the last five completed quarters).
I heard everyone collecting UC gets an extra $600 a week. Will I get that through PEUC?
Yes. All individuals collecting any type of UC, including PEUC, will receive $600 per week from the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program, in addition to their weekly benefits as calculated. FPUC payments began the week ending April 4, 2020 and will end July 25, 2020. These payments will be backdated for eligible individuals.
I filed a new UC claim recently. Am I eligible for PEUC?
In general, individuals collecting regular UC are eligible for 26 weeks of benefits. If you are still unemployed after 26 weeks, you may be eligible for up to 13 additional weeks of benefits through PEUC.
I exhausted my benefits before July 1, 2019 and have not worked since then. Am I eligible for PEUC?
No. However, depending on when you last reported income, you may be eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), which provides benefits to those individuals who do not have enough wages in their base year to file a regular UC claim. Please visit our PUA FAQs to find out more.
I exhausted my benefits on or after July 1, 2019 and have not worked since then. Am I eligible for PEUC?
You may be eligible for 13 weeks of PEUC. Depending on when you last reported income, you may also be eligible for PUA after your PEUC eligibility ends. PUA provides benefits to those individuals who do not have enough wages in their base year to file a regular UC claim. Please visit our PUA FAQs to find out more.
I was collecting unemployment after July 1, 2019, but then went back to work. Now I am laid off again. How many weeks of UC am I eligible for?
The PEUC program provides eligible individuals with up to 13 additional weeks of benefits when you have exhausted your regular UC. You may be eligible for at least 39 total weeks of benefits.
How long will PEUC be available?
PEUC is available beginning the week ending April 4, 2020 through the end of the year. However, because West Virginia considers a week of unemployment to end on a Saturday, the last week that PEUC may be paid in West Virginia is the week ending December 26, 2020.
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WV STRONG |
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I was always taught that if you can count your blessings, you can share your blessings. It's my privilege to share some inspirational stories from those on the ground who are donating their time and energy to helping their fellow West Virginians. These are just a few of the countless acts of kindness happening in our state every single day. Share your stories or recommend someone to be recognized for being WV Strong by emailing WVSTRONG@manchin.senate.gov.
Today’s Better Angels are Bethany (Cain) Hill and her sister, Emily Cain. Both are proud WVU graduates. Bethany currently practices Veterinary Medicine in North Carolina and her sister works as a nurse at WVU Medical Center’s ICU. Concerned about her sister and her fellow healthcare workers, Bethany asked family and friends for donations and organized the purchase of personal care items. She shipped them to Emily in Morgantown who assembled the items into gift packages to deliver to her fellow nurses in the ICU and Neuro ICU. Their mother, Martha Lou, is a teacher in Harrison County. And as we know, our teachers are working diligently to help students work through the rest of the school year. I truly appreciate her efforts as well.
Thank you to Greg and Betsy Shantz, aunt and uncle to the Cain girls, for sharing this special family’s efforts.
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WORKING FOR YOU |
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ICYMI: MANCHIN SUPPORTED BILL TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY OF COVID-19 SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF EFFORTS
Charleston, WV – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) supported efforts to pass the Transparency and Oversight of COVID-19 Small Business Assistance Act by unanimous consent on the Senate floor. The Transparency and Oversight of COVID-19 Small Business Assistance Act would require the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide Congress and the public with timely, detailed data on the agency’s COVID-19 small business relief programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the Economic Injury Disaster Loan & Emergency Advances (EIDL), and other debt relief efforts.
“I continue to hear from small businesses across West Virginia who are having issues navigating the SBA process during the COVID-19 pandemic. That is unacceptable. My legislation would have increased transparency and accountability for the COVID-19 pandemic small business relief efforts through the SBA. The Transparency and Oversight of COVID-19 Small Business Assistance Act would provide information on the SBA’s small business relief programs and ensure that our small businesses receive the support and help they need to stay afloat during this pandemic that has forced many businesses to close their doors. While this effort did not pass yesterday, I will not stop fighting until West Virginia businesses have the support they need,” said Senator Manchin.
MANCHIN LEADS BIPARTISAN CALL FOR HAZARD PAY, INCREASED SAFETY MEASURES FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND CONTRACTORS
Charleston, WV – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) led 19 bipartisan Senators in calling on the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Acting Director Russell T. Vought and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Acting Director Michael J. Rigas to take immediate steps to support federal employees and contractors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Senators’ letter emphasizes several actions that the Administration should take now to support these crucial public servants.
The Senators said in part, “As Congress considers additional measures to respond to the COVID-19 crisis, we urge you to use your existing authority to address urgent issues facing federal employees and contractors, including measures that would build on steps you have already taken. Many of these workers are on the front lines of the COVID-19 public health emergency, and many more are keeping vital services running and implementing the relief measures recently enacted by Congress. All civil servants and contractor employees deserve our full support now more than ever.”
MANCHIN PRAISES USDA APPROVAL OF WEST VIRGINIA FOOD ASSISTANCE PANDEMIC EBT APPLICATION
Charleston, WV – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) praised the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approval of West Virginia’s application for Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) cards which provide families with support to feed their children throughout the summer while children are not in school. On April 23, Senator Manchin sent a letter to USDA Secretary Perdue advocating for West Virginia’s application for this program.
“I am pleased the USDA approved West Virginia’s application for the P-EBT program which is great news for our students and their families. The P-EBT program will ensure that families of children who receive free or reduced price school meals during a traditional school year will be able to provide food for their children during the COVID-19 pandemic and during the summer. Over 200,000 students in West Virginia rely on the school system to receive meals. While our students are learning from home and not physically in the classroom, we must do everything possible to ensure those students have food to eat. I will continue to fight to ensure all West Virginia children have food to eat and a roof over their heads during this pandemic,” said Senator Manchin.
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WV 211 |
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U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) is encouraging West Virginians to utilize the 2-1-1 program operated by United Way of West Virginia. 2-1-1 connects callers with health and human services resources through trained certified specialists. Anyone can call 2-1-1 to learn about specific programs, intake requirements, eligibility, operation hours and more.
“United Way of West Virginia provides an important service to West Virginians by helping users navigate the vast number of resources available to aid with healthcare issues, food shortages, mental health questions and more. This program is more important now than ever as we battle the COVID-19 pandemic and I commend United Way for continuing to serve their fellow West Virginians through this time,” Senator Manchin said.
“United Way’s new 2-1-1 will make information on a wide variety of local support services more accessible across our entire state,” said United Way of Central WV President, Margaret O’Neal. “Whether it’s information for locating a health clinic, finding child care programs, or getting housing assistance, 2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember, go-to resource for individuals and families.”
To utilize these resources West Virginians can:
Call 2-1-1
Text your zip code to 898-211
Visit http://www.wv211.org/contact
Call toll-free 1-833-848-9905
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RESOURCES |
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Our office is working diligently to bring you the most up-to-date information as it becomes available. Click the links below for more information. All information regarding resources and more can be found on Senator Manchin's website.
Unemployment & Direct Payments
Veterans Assistance
Basic Needs
Business Assistance
Volunteer
Feeling Ill?
Any new or updated information will be posted below. All information is updated daily on manchin.senate.gov/coronavirus.
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TESTING / COLLECTION LOCATIONS |
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Where can I get a test? This is a question my office has received since the beginning of this pandemic. Please note that this is not a comprehensive list; there may be more testing sites out there that are added daily. In order to provide as much reliable information as possible, I am including testing sites that are verified through an official communication or news release.
I will keep this section of my newsletter and my website as up-to-date as possible. For any organizations or health care organizations who would like their site listed, or who have updates on their hours or requirements, please email me at common_sense@manchin.senate.gov . |
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It is recommended that you seek testing only when you begin exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. Click here to view the screening criteria. To report your symptoms and be directed to one of the available testing sites, contact your primary care doctor or a designated hotline for your area. Most, if not all, sites require a physician's order before testing. If you have gone through these steps and are still having issues getting a test, please email me at common_sense@manchin.senate.gov and a member of my staff will reach out to you to see if we can assist.
Click here for WV DHHR's latest updates to reported COVID-19 cases
Click here to find a testing site near you.
Any new additions or updates will be included below.
CHARLESTON
LOCATION: MedExpress Urgent Care, 5430 Maccorkle Ave. SE, Charleston, WV 25304
HOURS: Mon-Sun 8 am – 8pm
The Charleston MedExpress (5430 MacCorkle Ave. SE) is a designated COVID-19 testing location and is also providing urgent care services for everyday illnesses and injuries. Call 304-925-3627.
OCEANA
LOCATION: Oceana Medical Center, 400 Cook Pkwy, Oceana
HOURS: Mon-Fri 8:30am – 5pm
Hygeia Facilities Foundation, Inc. operates three primary care centers in WV. Oceana Medical Center in Oceana, WV (Wyoming County), Raleigh-Boone Medical Center in Whitesville, WV and Wharton Medical Center in Wharton, WV (Boone County). We are able to offer services to patients in those areas.
Phone: 304-682-6246
WHITESVILLE
LOCATION: Raleigh-Boone Medical Center, 37456 Coal River Road, Whitesville WV
HOURS: Mon-Fri 8:30am – 5pm
Hygeia Facilities Foundation, Inc. operates three primary care centers in WV. Oceana Medical Center in Oceana, WV (Wyoming County), Raleigh-Boone Medical Center in Whitesville, WV and Wharton Medical Center in Wharton, WV (Boone County). We are able to offer services to patients in those areas.
Phone: 304-854-1321
WHARTON
LOCATION: Wharton Medical Center, 35767 Pond Fork Road, Wharton WV
HOURS: Mon-Fri 8:30am – 5pm
Hygeia Facilities Foundation, Inc. operates three primary care centers in WV. Oceana Medical Center in Oceana, WV (Wyoming County), Raleigh-Boone Medical Center in Whitesville, WV and Wharton Medical Center in Wharton, WV (Boone County). We are able to offer services to patients in those areas.
Phone: 304-247-6202
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CONTACT US
Email: common_sense@manchin.senate.gov
Social Media: Facebook Twitter YouTube
Or call the Charleston Office Toll-Free: (855) 275-5737 |
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