Virginia Unemployment Benefits: Complete Filing Guide

Virginia's Employment Commission (VEC) administers unemployment insurance for workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. This guide covers eligibility, filing, benefit amounts, and ongoing requirements for Virginia unemployment benefits.

Virginia Unemployment at a Glance

Detail	Information
Maximum weekly benefit	$378
Maximum benefit duration	12-26 weeks (varies)
Waiting period	1 week (unpaid)
Filing method	Online at vec.virginia.gov
Administering agency	Virginia Employment Commission

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for Virginia unemployment benefits, you must:

Earnings Requirements

Base period: Virginia uses your wages from the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you filed.

Minimum earnings:

• Wages in at least two quarters of your base period
• High quarter wages of at least $3,000
• Total base period wages of at least 1.5 times your high quarter wages

Work Requirements

• Lost job through no fault of your own (layoff, reduction in force, lack of work)
• Physically able to work and available for full-time work
• Actively seeking employment each week you claim benefits
• Ready to accept suitable work if offered

Who Is NOT Eligible

• Workers who quit without good cause
• Workers discharged for misconduct
• Self-employed individuals (generally)
• Independent contractors (generally)
• Workers who refuse suitable work

How to File in Virginia

Online Filing (Recommended)

Website: vec.virginia.gov

Steps:

1. Go to the VEC website
2. Create an account or log in
3. Complete the initial unemployment claim
4. Provide employment and wage information
5. Submit your claim

By Phone

Phone: 866-832-2363

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:15 AM - 4:30 PM

Information You'll Need

Gather this before you start:

• Social Security Number
• Driver's license or state ID
• Names, addresses, and phone numbers of all employers in the last 18 months
• Dates of employment
• Reason for separation from last employer
• Gross earnings information
• Direct deposit bank information (optional)
• DD-214 (if recently separated from military)

Benefit Amounts in Virginia

Calculating Your Weekly Benefit

Virginia calculates your weekly benefit based on your high quarter earnings.

Formula: High quarter wages ÷ 50 = Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA)

Minimum weekly benefit: $60 Maximum weekly benefit: $378

Example Calculations

High Quarter Wages	Weekly Benefit
$5,000	$100
$10,000	$200
$15,000	$300
$18,900+	$378 (maximum)

Total Benefit Duration

Virginia's benefit duration varies from 12-26 weeks based on the state unemployment rate:

• Higher unemployment rate = more weeks available
• Lower unemployment rate = fewer weeks available

Maximum total benefits equal approximately 50% of your total base period wages.

The Waiting Period

Virginia has a one-week unpaid waiting period. This is the first week of your claim when you are unemployed but not yet receiving benefits.

• File your claim as soon as you're unemployed
• Your waiting week is served automatically
• Benefits begin the second week (if eligible)

Weekly Filing (Certification)

You must file a continued claim weekly to receive benefits.

How to File

Online (recommended): Log into your VEC account and file your weekly claim

By phone: Use the Voice Response System at 800-897-5630

When to File

File weekly claims for the prior week. Your filing day is determined by your Social Security Number.

Claim Questions

Each week you'll answer:

• Were you physically able to work?
• Were you available for full-time work?
• Did you actively look for work?
• Did you refuse any work?
• Did you work or earn any money?
• Did you receive any other income?

Answer accurately.

Receiving Your Payments

Direct Deposit (Recommended)

Set up direct deposit for fastest payment. Add your bank account when filing or through your online account.

Debit Card

If you don't set up direct deposit, benefits are loaded onto a Virginia unemployment debit card (Way2Go card).

Payment Timeline

Payments are typically issued within a few days after you file your weekly claim successfully.

Work Search Requirements

Virginia requires active work search while receiving benefits.

Requirements

• Conduct at least 2 work search activities per week
• Register with Virginia Workforce Connection
• Document all job search activities
• Accept suitable work if offered

Qualifying Activities

• Applying for jobs
• Attending interviews
• Registering with staffing agencies
• Attending job fairs
• Networking for job leads
• Completing online applications

Documentation

Keep records including:

• Date of activity
• Employer name and contact information
• Position applied for
• Method of contact
• Result

VEC may request this documentation at any time.

Working While Receiving Benefits

You can work part-time and still receive partial benefits.

How It Works

• Report all gross earnings for the week worked
• Virginia allows you to earn up to 25% of your weekly benefit without reduction
• Earnings above 25% reduce benefits dollar-for-dollar

Example

Weekly benefit: $300 25% disregard: $75

• Part-time earnings of $50: Full $300 benefit
• Part-time earnings of $200: $300 - ($200 - $75) = $175 benefit
• Part-time earnings of $375+: No benefit paid

Report all earnings when you file your weekly claim.

Severance Pay and Unemployment

Virginia's treatment of severance:

• Lump-sum severance: May be allocated over weeks, potentially affecting benefits
• Severance as wage continuation: Affects benefits for weeks covered
• Vacation pay: May affect benefits depending on how paid

Report all severance payments. VEC will determine the impact.

Special Situations

Quit with Good Cause

You may qualify if you quit for good cause connected to the work:

• Unsafe working conditions
• Significant reduction in pay or hours
• Harassment or discrimination
• Employer's illegal activities

Quitting for personal reasons generally doesn't qualify.

Discharged for Misconduct

Misconduct disqualifies you from benefits:

• Violation of employer rules
• Insubordination
• Excessive absenteeism
• Dishonesty
• Drug/alcohol violations

You can appeal a misconduct determination.

Federal Employees

Federal workers file in the state where they worked. Virginia processes federal employee claims (UCFE).

Military Separations

Recently separated service members should have their DD-214 ready and may file under the UCX program.

Appeals Process

If your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal.

How to Appeal

1. You have 30 days from the mailing date of the determination to file an appeal
2. File online, by mail, or by fax
3. A hearing will be scheduled
4. Attend your telephone hearing
5. Receive a written decision

Preparing for Appeal

• Understand the specific reason for denial
• Gather supporting documents
• Prepare your testimony
• You may have legal representation

Further Appeals

If you disagree with the Appeals Examiner's decision, you can appeal to the Circuit Court.

Tips for Virginia Filers

1. File immediately — Benefits aren't retroactive before your filing date
2. Use the online system — It's faster and provides claim tracking
3. File weekly claims — Missing a week means losing benefits for that week
4. Register with Virginia Workforce Connection — Required
5. Make 2 work search contacts per week — Document all activities
6. Report all earnings — Failure to report is fraud
7. Check your mail — VEC sends important notices by mail
8. Appeal within 30 days — Don't miss the deadline

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to receive benefits?

If your claim is straightforward, expect your first payment 2-3 weeks after filing (including the waiting week).

Can I get unemployment if I was fired?

It depends on why. If fired for misconduct, you're disqualified. If let go for other reasons (performance issues not rising to misconduct, lack of work), you may qualify.

What if I worked in DC or Maryland but live in Virginia?

You generally file in the state where you worked, not where you live.

Is unemployment taxable?

Yes. Virginia unemployment benefits are subject to federal income tax and Virginia state income tax. You can elect to have taxes withheld.

Why does Virginia's benefit duration vary?

Virginia adjusts the maximum weeks available (12-26) based on the state unemployment rate. When unemployment is higher, more weeks are available.

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Key Takeaways

1. Maximum benefit is $378/week for 12-26 weeks (varies by unemployment rate)
2. File online at vec.virginia.gov for fastest processing
3. File weekly claims to continue receiving benefits
4. Register with Virginia Workforce Connection — Required
5. Make 2 work search contacts per week and document them
6. Report all earnings when you file your weekly claim
7. Appeal within 30 days if denied

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Related Resources:

• Main Unemployment Guide →
• Emergency Budget Planning →
• First 24 Hours After Layoff →
• Unemployment Appeals →