An individual filing a claim for benefits which, if otherwise valid, would establish a subsequent benefit year, in order to be eligible for benefits for such subsequent benefit year, must have returned to work and earned wages in covered employment after the beginning of his previous benefit year equal to or exceeding an amount eight times his weekly benefit rate amount established for the previous benefit year, and be otherwise eligible under the provisions of this article and of this chapter.
W. Va. Code § 21A-6-1b