Unemployment Extended Benefits Have Ended, Department Of Labor Says

The Department of Labor on Monday announced that the extended benefits (EB) program payments ended on June 23.

EB are a temporary federal program that provides additional unemployment benefits to claimants who qualify. These benefits were provided to claimants who remained unemployed when they exhausted regular unemployment compensation (UC) and may have been eligible for extended benefits, according to the release.

Based on data the local Department of Labor received from the U.S. Department of Labor for the week ending June 2, the 13-week insured unemployment rate fell below the 5 percent trigger threshold needed to remain “on” for the EB program, according to the release. Therefore, the payable period for EB for the Virgin Islands ended with the week ending June 23.

The local D.O.L. said the Virgin Islands has triggered “off” extended benefits, and no payments can be made after the week ending June 23. Even if a claimant only triggered on for extended benefits effective June 10, they cannot receive any additional benefits after the week ending date June 23, the department said.

Claimants are encouraged to visit D.O.L.’s website at www.vidol.gov for continuous updates and information. Job seekers can utilize the new VIeWS job search platform to search for available jobs, create resumes, access educational services and view labor market information, the department said.