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Charlotte Amalie
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesV.I. ‘Triggers Off' Tier 4 Jobless Benefits

V.I. ‘Triggers Off' Tier 4 Jobless Benefits

A slight decrease in the U.S. Virgin Islands’ jobless rate relative to the 50 states has caused the territory to "trigger off" Tier 4 extended unemployment benefits, the V.I. Department of Labor announced Tuesday.

Labor Commissioner Albert Bryan Jr. said the territory’s estimated Total Unemployment Rate (TUR) has fallen below 9 percent, triggering the territory off of Tier 4.

The 9 percent figure for total unemployment is a calculation that compares the Virgin Islands with the other territories and all 50 states, according to Allison DeGavon, director of the Unemployment Insurance unit. The actual jobless rate for the territory is 13.3 percent. The unemployment rate is based on the number of people actually seeking work, she added.

"We still have one of the worst unemployment rates in the country," she said.

Jobless compensation is divided into tiers that determine the number of weeks benefits can be received. The length of the tiers can vary based on different circumstances.

Recipients in the territory who were in the final week of their Tier 3 benefits in the week ending Feb. 23 can file Tier 4 claims, DeGavon said. Those who are still receiving Tier 3 benefits are not eligible for the extension when those expire.

Claimants already receiving entitlement under Tier 4 will continue to do so, but after Feb. 23 Tier 4 will be triggered off indefinitely for new claimants, according to the DOL statement.

"We usually trigger off these benefits at this time of year because of the ‘uptick’ in employment caused by the tourist season," Bryan said in Tuesday’s announcement. "While we continue to see high numbers in terms of unemployment percentages, the actual number of persons opening up new unemployment claims has dropped dramatically.”

Bryan said this is primarily because the territory doesn’t have a lot of large employers, not necessarily that the economy is improving. “We continue to urge our clients to take advantages of all our services for seeking employment,” he said. “It is far more important that you secure a job in a company you want to work for than the wage you have become accustomed to. Wages have dropped as a result of the refinery closure and the relative abundance of labor."

DeGavon said the bottom line is that less money will come into the territory in the form of jobless benefits and that individuals should check with Labor to make sure of the status of their claims.

DeGavon urged people receiving jobless benefits to come to the Department of Labor and sharpen their job-seeking skills.

Unemployed residents will continue to receive re-employment and workforce development services to prepare them for returning to work and potentially better job opportunities. The department encourages job seekers to visit www.vidol.gov and utilize the new job search platform to search for available jobs, create resumes, access educational service and view labor market information.

The current breakdown of the jobless rate by district was not available, but in December St. Croix’s unemployment rate was 17 percent, and the big island averaged 14.1 percent for 2012.

Anyone with questions regarding his or her unemployment claims status can call the Department of Labor offices on St. Croix at 1-340-773-1440 or on St. Thomas at 1-340-776-3700.

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