What you need to do each week to keep your benefits active

Virginia requires you to file a weekly claim every week you want to receive unemployment benefits. This is not a one-time process — you must certify your claim each week by logging into the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) system and answering questions about your work search and any income you earned. If you do not file your weekly claim by the important date, you will not receive a payment for that week, even if you are otherwise may have access to to benefits.

The weekly claim takes about 10 to 15 minutes. You answer whether you worked, how much you earned, whether you refused any job offers, and whether you are still looking for work. The VEC then processes your answers and either approves or denies your claim for that week. Most claims are approved within one business day, and the payment is deposited into your bank account or loaded onto a debit card.

Key Takeaways

  • You must file a new claim every week by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. to receive payment for that week.
  • File through the VEC website at vec.virginia.gov or by phone at 866-832-2363 if you cannot use the website.
  • Have your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and information about any work or income from the past week ready before you start.
  • If you earned money while on unemployment, report it honestly — Virginia allows you to keep part of your weekly benefit even if you worked.
  • Missing a weekly filing important date means you lose that week's payment permanently, so set a reminder for Sunday evening.

How to file your weekly claim online

Go to vec.virginia.gov and click "File a Claim" or "Claimant Services." You will be asked to log in with your username and password. If you have not created an account yet, you will need to do that first — you will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and a valid email address.

Once logged in, select "File Weekly Claim" or "Weekly Certification." The system will show you the week you are filing for (usually the week that just ended on Sunday). Answer each question honestly. The main questions are: Did you work? How much did you earn? Did you look for work? Did you refuse any job offers? Did anything prevent you from working? Are you still unemployed and looking for work?

After you answer all questions, review your responses and click "Submit." You will see a confirmation number on the screen — write this down or take a screenshot. The VEC will send you an email confirmation as well. Keep both for your records.

Filing by phone if you cannot use the website

Call the VEC at 866-832-2363. This line is open Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Eastern time. Have your Social Security number and PIN ready. The automated system will walk you through the same questions as the online form. You can also speak to a representative if you need help, but wait times can be long during peak hours (typically 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.).

If you call, you will receive a confirmation number at the end of the call. Write it down. The system will also send you a confirmation email if you have one on file.

important date and what happens if you miss one

Your weekly claim must be filed by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday for the week ending that Sunday. Virginia considers Sunday the last day of the benefit week. If you file on Monday or later, your claim for that week is considered late and will be denied. You will not receive payment for that week.

If you miss a important date by accident, you cannot make it up. That week's benefit is lost. The only exception is if the VEC system is down on Sunday — in that case, you can file the next business day without penalty. The VEC posts outage notices on its website and social media.

Set a phone reminder for Sunday at 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. so you have time to file before midnight. Do not wait until 11:50 p.m. — the system can be slow during peak filing times, and you may not finish in time.

What to report about work and income

If you worked during the week, report the total hours and total gross pay (before taxes). Virginia allows you to earn up to a certain amount each week and still receive part of your unemployment benefit. The amount you can earn without losing benefits changes based on your weekly benefit amount, but generally you can earn about one-third of your weekly benefit without losing anything.

For example, if your weekly benefit is $300, you might be able to earn about $100 without losing any benefit. If you earn more than that, Virginia reduces your benefit by a certain percentage of the amount over the limit. Always report your actual earnings — the VEC cross-checks with employers, and if you underreport, you will owe back the overpayment plus penalties.

If you earned money from self-employment, gig work, or a side job, report that too. Include tips if you received them. Do not round down or leave anything out.

What to report about your job search

Virginia requires you to look for work while you are on unemployment. When you file your weekly claim, you will be asked whether you looked for work that week. You do not have to list every job you applied for, but you should be prepared to describe your search if the VEC asks.

Acceptable job search activities include explore online, attending interviews, contacting employers by phone or email, registering with a staffing agency, attending a job fair, or taking a training course. If you did not look for work because you were sick, had a family emergency, or had another good reason, explain that in the claim form. The VEC may ask for proof, such as a doctor's note.

If you refused a job offer during the week, report it and explain why. Refusing work without good cause can disqualify you from benefits for that week or longer. Good cause includes the job paying significantly less than your usual work, unsafe working conditions, or a schedule that conflicts with a medical appointment.

Common mistakes that delay or deny your claim

Filing late. The most common mistake is filing after the Sunday important date. Once Sunday passes, that week is gone. Set a reminder now.

Not reporting all income. If you earned money and did not report it, the VEC will find out when it cross-checks with your employer. You will owe back the overpayment plus a 15% penalty. Report everything, even small amounts.

Answering "no" to job search when you did not look for work. If you answer "yes" to looking for work but did not, and the VEC calls to verify, you can be disqualified. Answer honestly. If you did not look for work, explain why in the comments section.

Leaving questions blank. The online form will not let you submit if you skip required fields, but on the phone line, it is straightforward to miss a question. Make sure you answer every question before confirming.

Using the wrong account or logging in as someone else. File only your own claim. If someone else files for you, it can be flagged as fraud. You must file your own claim each week.

What happens after you file

The VEC processes most weekly claims within one business day. You will receive an email confirmation that your claim was received. Within a few days, you will receive another email or letter saying whether your claim was approved or denied.

If approved, your payment is deposited into your bank account or loaded onto the VEC debit card (if you chose that option when you first filed for benefits). Payments are usually made by Wednesday or Thursday of the week after you file.

If denied, the letter will explain why. Common reasons include earning too much that week, not looking for work, or refusing a job offer. If you disagree with the denial, you can file an appeal within 10 days of the denial letter. The appeal process is separate and takes longer, so contact the VEC right away if you need to appeal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I worked part of the week and was laid off the rest of the week?

Report the hours and pay from the days you worked. Virginia will reduce your benefit based on what you earned, but you will still receive a partial benefit for the week. Do not try to hide the work — the VEC will see it when it checks with your employer.

Can I file my weekly claim on a different day if I am busy on Sunday?

You can file any day of the week, but it must be by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday for that week's benefit. If you file on Monday, your claim for that week is denied. File early in the week if you know Sunday will be difficult.

What if the VEC website is down on Sunday?

The VEC posts outage notices on its website and social media. If the system is down on Sunday through no fault of your own, you can file the next business day without penalty. If you are unsure whether an outage was official, call 866-832-2363 to confirm.

Do I have to report if I am taking a training course or going to school?

Yes, report it in the job search section. Training courses and school can count as job search activities if they are related to finding work. If you are in full-time school and not looking for work, you may not be may have access to to benefits — contact the VEC to ask about your specific situation.

What if I forget my password or username?

Go to vec.virginia.gov and click "Forgot Username" or "Forgot Password." You will be asked to verify your identity using your Social Security number and other information. You can also call 866-832-2363 to reset your password with a representative.