Labor Announces 2021 Maximum Weekly Benefit Amount, Taxable Wage Base

Government of The United States Virgin Islands

Department of Labor Commissioner Gary Molloy informs the public of the 2021 rates for Unemployment Insurance based on the UI Tax Division employer report studies. The public is encouraged to take note of the following changes.

The Maximum Weekly Benefit Amount in the Virgin Islands for the benefit year beginning Jan. 1, 2021, is $677 and the Taxable Wage Base for employer contributions is $32,500.

In accordance with the Virgin Islands Unemployment Insurance Act, the Maximum Weekly Benefit Amount shall be an amount equal to 65 percent of the established average weekly wage in insured work rounded to the next lower dollar. The established average weekly wage based on employment and wage statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is $1,041.41.

In accordance with the Virgin Islands Unemployment Insurance Act, the Taxable Wage Base is 60 percent of the average annual wage in insured work rounded to the nearest $100. The established average annual wage based on employment and wage statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is $54,153.28.