By Phil Kabler, Charleston Gazette-Mail
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia had processed a record 41,549 unemployment claims, as of Thursday morning, in the week since Gov. Jim Justice ordered bars and sit-down restaurants closed for the coronavirus pandemic, Commerce Secretary Ed Gaunch said Thursday.
He said WorkForce West Virginia has processed more than 10,000 low-earnings claims for people who have had their work hours and pay reduced because of the state of emergency.
At a briefing just two days earlier, Justice chief counsel Brian Abraham said the government had received about 16,000 initial unemployment claims through Monday. That was before Justice’s stay-at-home executive order and the order closing all non-essential businesses.
“Commerce recognizes the significance of this situation, first and foremost, to the health and well-being of our fellow West Virginians,” Gaunch said. “But we also recognize the economic impact this event is having on our employees and employers in West Virginia.”
Gaunch said Commerce will function as a clearinghouse to help employers and employees apply for benefits in the nearly $2 trillion stimulus package moving through Congress. …