Official review says Virginia Employment Commission ill-equipped for demands brought by COVID pandemic

A state-commissioned study on the workings of the Virginia Employment Commission during the COVID pandemic gave negative reviews for those on a local and federal level.

Findings presented to the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission said forms sent by federal agencies for COVID relief to Virginians were too long and complicated to understand—leaving some without the funding they needed.

Examiners also determined the employment commission did not have adequate staffing to meet the demand of help and were left to work with out-of-date equipment including computers to process claims. Staffers who were available had their safety threatened or had their offices closed due to a COVID outbreak, the report said.

A presentation on the review is available by clicking here.

(LOGO: Commonwealth of Virginia / VEC)