The U.S. Department of Labor approved releasing $1.3 million in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to the U.S. Virgin Islands Friday, according to the V.I. Labor Department. The territory qualified for these funds by making unemployment benefits available to part-time workers and by including certain family-friendly provisions in its unemployment insurance law, according to a Labor Department statement.
As a result of the modernizing changes to territorial law favored by the federal government, unemployed workers with recent work experience will be able to qualify for unemployment insurance benefits. Unemployment insurance modernization will also ensure that workers seeking part-time work and those who become unemployed for compelling family reasons will be eligible for benefits, according to Labor.
"The U.S. Department of Labor’s announcement today represents a major boost to the Virgin Islands workforce," said Gov. John deJongh Jr. in the Labor Department statement. "Through the V.I. Department of Labor, my administration made updating the unemployment insurance program a priority, and today’s announcement underscores our confidence that the new law will have tremendous value for our workers. We are grateful for the continued support of Secretary (of Labor Hilda) Solis and the Obama administration."
Along with these unemployment insurance incentive funds, more federal unemployment insurance funds may be on the way. According to Labor, the most recent employment data from the V.I. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the territory will trigger the third tier of federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation as of Oct. 24. Tier III provides a maximum of 13 additional weeks of extended benefits per recipient.
Labor would like those who are unemployed to take note that:
- Those who may have been disconnected from unemployment benefits due to exhaustion of their Tier II benefits will receive an application in the mail within the next week to determine their continued eligibility;
- People who are currently collecting and exhaust their Tier II benefits will be automatically transferred onto their Tier III benefits upon further certification of their continued unemployment and other eligibility requirements;
- Those who are now employed should not submit an application;
- Individuals knowingly misrepresenting their employment status by making false statements in connection with their claim are committing a federal offense, punishable by a fine or imprisonment for no more than five years, or both.
If you have any questions regarding this information contact Labor offices on St. Croix at 773-1440 or St. Thomas at 715-5702.