Economic Security

February 28, 2024 by WVCBP
Senate Changes, Passes Bill To Reduce Unemployment Benefits

West Virginia Public Broadcasting - The Senate passed a bill that would reduce overall unemployment benefits but increase initial benefits.  Read the full article. Senate Bills 840 and 841 would have steeply cut unemployment benefits. Those bills were combined and amended to substantially reduce the change to the state’s unemployment benefits.  The engrossed bill that passed the Senate shaves two weeks…

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February 27, 2024 by Sean O'Leary
Indexing Unemployment Benefits Would Harm Small, Rural Counties in West Virginia

Overview During the 2024 legislative session, the West Virginia Senate introduced bills that would make major changes to the state’s unemployment insurance system, to the detriment of workers. These changes include dramatically reducing the number of weeks of unemployment benefits available to the state’s unemployed workers. SB 840, would tie the maximum weeks of eligibility…

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February 26, 2024 by Kelly Allen
Bill That Greatly Reduces Unemployment Benefits Advances

West Virginia Public Broadcasting - The Senate advanced two bills Monday that would lower unemployment benefits for out of work West Virginians.  Read the full article. Currently people can receive 26 weeks of benefits, and a maximum weekly benefit of $624 if they lose their job through no fault of their own; meaning they were…

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February 26, 2024 by WVCBP
As West Virginia Workers Reel from Looming Layoffs, Lawmakers Move to Cut Unemployment Benefits

Mountain State Spotlight, Fayette Tribune - As senators began to consider a pair of bills that would cut West Virginia’s unemployment insurance benefits on Monday, Sen. Mike Caputo, D-Marion, rose to voice his concerns.  Read the full article. Within the past two weeks, two large manufacturers — Allegheny Wood Products and Cleveland-Cliffs — had announced plans to lay off hundreds of…

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February 23, 2024 by Kelly Allen
Senate Passes Bill Expanding Work Requirements for Nutrition Benefits Up to Age 59

West Virginia MetroNews - Senators passed a bill that would expand requirements for work or employment training for able-bodied adults without dependents for benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Read the full article. The bill passed on a 32-2 vote and now goes to the House of Delegates.  SB 562 also extends the age range for people…

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February 14, 2024 by Rhonda Rogombe
Fewer West Virginians on SNAP Would be Affected by Bill Under Proposed Changes, but Thousands Could Still Lose Food Benefits

Mountain State Spotlight - West Virginia lawmakers are moving forward a bill to change the work requirements for food stamps. The bill expands work requirements to older adults — able-bodied people between age 53 and 59 — and will likely affect thousands of West Virginians. But changes to the bill removed able-bodied adults with dependents from the…

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February 13, 2024 by Kelly Allen
Senate Proposal Would Expand Work Requirements for Nutrition Benefits for Adults Without Dependents

West Virginia MetroNews - Senators are advancing a bill that would expand requirements for work or employment training for able-bodied adults without dependents for benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Read the full article. The bill also extends the age range for people affected to 59. The age range for current procedures is from…

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February 13, 2024 by Rhonda Rogombe
Some 70 Thousand People Could Lose Their Food Stamps After Changes in SNAP Program Requirements

Breaking Latest - The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the United States is set to add new eligibility requirements that could put more than 75,000 people, including children, at risk of losing their food stamps. Read the full article. In West Virginia, a bill proposed by local legislators on the issue is under review. Caitlin Cook,…

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