Virginia has made changes in the unemployment insurance program that can make shipyard workers eligible for a $600 increase in benefits. Increased benefits for folks eligible under traditional unemployment insurance will start to be paid as soon as next week. 

The money is coming through a brand new federal program called Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).  To be eligible for this new program, workers must first apply through traditional unemployment by visiting www.vec.virginia.gov or www.vawc.virginia.gov.

 The Virginia Employment Commission will be announcing more details on the start date for this new program later this week.