Unemployment if you quit or were fired in West Virginia

Quit, fired or refused work

If you quit

If you quit without good cause involving fault on the part of your employer, you are disqualified. Quitting to marry or for family duties or personal business also disqualifies you.

Examples the state names:

• Leaving because your work aggravated or worsened your own health problem, if you tell the employer (before leaving or within two business days) and give written certification from a licensed physician within 30 days
• Leaving to go back within 14 days to a recent former employer that had laid you off for lack of work
• Leaving to go with a spouse in active military service who has been reassigned

If you were fired

If you were fired for misconduct, you are disqualified for that week and the next six weeks, and your total benefits are cut by six times your weekly rate (restored if you work 30 days in covered employment in your benefit year). For gross misconduct - such as willful destruction of property, assault, being intoxicated or under the influence of drugs at work, theft, or any misconduct after a written warning that it could lead to firing - you are disqualified until you work at least 30 days in covered employment.

If benefits are denied for the separation

Quitting without good cause or gross misconduct: no benefits until you work at least 30 days in covered employment. Simple misconduct: the week of discharge plus six weeks, with a six-week cut in total benefits.

Refusing work

If you refuse to apply for or accept suitable work without good cause, you are disqualified for that week and the next four weeks (or longer while the offer stays open), and your total benefits are cut by four times your weekly rate.

Law: W. Va. Code sec. 21A-6-3(1)-(3), (6)

Official source: Source page

You usually must be unemployed through no fault of your own. In most states this means you lost your job because there was not enough work.

Able, available and looking for work

Job contacts per week: 4

Each week you must actively look for full-time work by doing at least four work search activities, such as applying for jobs, contacting employers, interviewing, attending a job fair or job club, using job center services, or searching the state's online job system. If WorkForce WV refers you to a suitable job, you must apply within one week and accept it if offered. People on jury duty, in approved training, in a union hiring hall, on low-earnings reports or in Short-Time Compensation are exempt.

Records to keep

Document and keep proof of your four activities each week. You can upload the proof with each weekly certification, or send it when WorkForce WV asks.

Law: W. Va. Code sec. 21A-6-1d

Official source: Source page

To be paid for a week, you must be able to work, available to work and actively seeking work.

Law: 42 U.S.C. 503(a)(12)

Noncitizens

What the state says

You must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Free help

Call 1-800-252-5627. Legal aid and other free help in West Virginia → Official sources →