Who administers unemployment benefits in West Virginia?

State Unemployment Benefits in West Virginia

WorkForce West Virginia, an agency of the state Department of Commerce, administers unemployment compensation. The one rule West Virginia publishes for a claimant's death is W. Va. Code 21A-6-14: accrued benefits due and unpaid on a claim the claimant filed before dying may, in the commissioner's discretion, be paid — without letters of administration — to the surviving spouse, children, or parents, in that order of priority.

OverviewWhen someone dies

Unemployment

West Virginia

workforcewv.org→

Administering agency

WorkForce West Virginia

Phone1-800-252-5627

WebsiteVisit website →

Verified Jul 2026

State Unemployment Benefits in West Virginia: key facts

Administering agency: WorkForce West Virginia, an agency of the West Virginia Department of Commerce.
Claimant portal: workforcewv.org (file a claim, manage a claim).
Phone: 1-800-252-JOBS (1-800-252-5627); WV Relay 711.
Who may claim: The surviving spouse, children, or parents of the deceased, in that order of priority. W. Va. Code 21A-6-14 covers only "accrued benefits due and unpaid on claims filed prior to decease of a claimant," and payment is "in the discretion of the commissioner" — it does not create a new claim for a survivor.
Letters of administration: Not required. W. Va. Code 21A-6-14 expressly permits payment "without letters of administration."
Reporting a death: WorkForce West Virginia publishes no death-reporting form and no deceased-claimant procedure. Call 1-800-252-JOBS (1-800-252-5627) and ask how the claim is closed and what proof of death and relationship the agency requires.
Overpayments: Benefits paid to someone who was not entitled to receive them are an overpayment, and West Virginia Unemployment Compensation Law requires that all overpayments be repaid to WorkForce WV. Overpayment questions: ucoverpayments@wv.gov or 304-558-3306.

Frequently asked questions

WorkForce West Virginia, an agency of the West Virginia Department of Commerce, administers unemployment compensation through workforcewv.org and a network of local offices across the state.

When someone dies

Steps after a death in West Virginia

4-step process for WorkForce West Virginia.

View details →

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated July 14, 2026

Sources

Data sourced from State Unemployment Benefits in West Virginia primary sources (5 pages reviewed). How we research.

Unemployment

West Virginia

workforcewv.org→

Administering agency

WorkForce West Virginia

Phone1-800-252-5627

WebsiteVisit website →

Verified Jul 2026

State Unemployment Benefits in West Virginia: key facts

Administering agency

WorkForce West Virginia, an agency of the West Virginia Department of Commerce.

Claimant portal

workforcewv.org (file a claim, manage a claim).

Phone

1-800-252-JOBS (1-800-252-5627); WV Relay 711.

Who may claim

The surviving spouse, children, or parents of the deceased, in that order of priority. W. Va. Code 21A-6-14 covers only "accrued benefits due and unpaid on claims filed prior to decease of a claimant," and payment is "in the discretion of the commissioner" — it does not create a new claim for a survivor.

Letters of administration

Not required. W. Va. Code 21A-6-14 expressly permits payment "without letters of administration."

Reporting a death

WorkForce West Virginia publishes no death-reporting form and no deceased-claimant procedure. Call 1-800-252-JOBS (1-800-252-5627) and ask how the claim is closed and what proof of death and relationship the agency requires.

Overpayments

Benefits paid to someone who was not entitled to receive them are an overpayment, and West Virginia Unemployment Compensation Law requires that all overpayments be repaid to WorkForce WV. Overpayment questions: ucoverpayments@wv.gov or 304-558-3306.