What You Need to Do to File in Virginia

To file an unemployment claim in Virginia, you will go through the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC), which is the state agency that handles all unemployment insurance. You can file online through the VEC website, by phone, or by mail — online is fastest and most people complete it in 20 to 30 minutes. You will need your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, information about your last employer (name, address, dates you worked there), and the reason your job ended. The VEC will ask whether you were laid off, fired, or quit, because that answer determines whether you are found to have a valid reason for being without work.

Virginia processes most claims within two to three weeks, though the first payment can take longer if the VEC needs to contact your employer to verify the facts. During that time, you will receive a information letter in the mail that tells you whether your claim was approved or denied. If approved, you will be told when your first payment arrives and how much it will be. If denied, the letter will explain why and tell you how to request a hearing to challenge the decision.

Key Takeaways

  • File through the Virginia Employment Commission online at vec.virginia.gov, by phone at 866-832-2363, or by mail — online filing is the fastest option.
  • Have ready your Social Security number, ID number, last employer's name and address, your employment dates, and the reason your job ended.
  • Virginia pays a maximum of $378 per week, and the amount you receive depends on your earnings during a specific 12-month period your employer reports.
  • You must report any work or income you earn while receiving benefits, because earning above a certain threshold will reduce or stop your weekly payment.
  • If the VEC denies your claim, you have 30 days from the date on the denial letter to request a hearing before a hearing officer.

Where to File and What Information to Bring

The Virginia Employment Commission website at vec.virginia.gov is the primary place to file. Click "File a Claim" and you will be guided through a form that asks for your personal information, employment history, and the reason you are no longer working. You will need your Social Security number, your Virginia driver's license or ID number, and details about your most recent employer — their legal business name, the address where you worked, the phone number if you have it, and the dates you started and stopped working there. If you were laid off, fired, or quit, be ready to describe what happened in a few sentences.

If you cannot file online, you can call the VEC at 866-832-2363. The phone lines are open Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Eastern time. Wait times are often long, especially in the first week after a mass layoff, so calling early in the morning or later in the week may be faster. You can also mail a paper form to the Virginia Employment Commission, P.O. Box 27255, Richmond, VA 23261, but mail filing takes longer and is not recommended unless you have no other option.

How Virginia Calculates Your Weekly Payment Amount

Virginia looks at your earnings during a 12-month period called the "base period" to figure out how much you can receive each week. The base period is usually the first four of the five calendar quarters before you file your claim. For example, if you file in March 2024, the base period runs from January 2023 through December 2023. The VEC takes your total earnings during that period, divides by 52 weeks, and that becomes your "weekly wage." Your weekly benefit is then 50 percent of that weekly wage, up to a maximum of $378 per week as of 2024 (this amount changes each year).

Your employer reports your earnings to Virginia's Department of Taxation, and the VEC pulls that information automatically. If you worked for more than one employer during the base period, the VEC adds all earnings together. If you earned very little or worked only part of the year, your weekly benefit will be lower. The VEC will tell you the exact amount in your information letter. You will also be told how many weeks of benefits you are may have access to to receive — Virginia typically allows up to 26 weeks, though this can change based on the state's unemployment rate.

What Happens After You File

After you submit your claim, the VEC sends a notice to your last employer asking them to confirm the information you provided — your job title, dates of employment, reason for separation, and whether you were fired for misconduct. Your employer has about 10 days to respond. If they do not respond or if they agree with your account, the VEC will approve your claim. If they dispute your story — for example, if they say you quit when you say you were laid off — the VEC will investigate further and may request documents or a statement from you.

You will receive a information letter in the mail within two to three weeks. This letter tells you whether your claim was approved or denied, what your weekly benefit amount is, and when your first payment will arrive. Approved claims are usually paid by debit card through a card issued by the VEC, though you can request direct deposit to your bank account instead. The first payment may take an additional one to two weeks after approval because the VEC must set up the payment method and process the transaction.

Reporting Work and Income While You Receive Benefits

While you are receiving unemployment benefits in Virginia, you must report any work you do or money you earn. Each week, the VEC will ask you to certify that you are still unemployed and looking for work. When you certify, you must tell them about any hours you worked and any pay you received, including gig work, freelance jobs, or part-time shifts. If you earn more than one-third of your weekly benefit amount, your benefit for that week will be reduced by the amount you earned above that threshold. If you earn more than your full weekly benefit, you will receive no payment that week.

For example, if your weekly benefit is $300 and you earn $150 in a week, you owe back one-third of $300 (which is $100), so your benefit that week is reduced to $200. If you earn $350, you owe back the full $300, so you receive nothing. It is important to report honestly because if you fail to report earnings and the VEC finds out later, you may be required to repay benefits you should not have received, and you could face penalties or disqualification from future benefits.

If Your Claim Is Denied

If the VEC denies your claim, the information letter will explain the reason. Common reasons include: you quit your job without good cause, you were fired for misconduct, you did not earn enough during the base period to meet the minimum, or you did not meet Virginia's work history requirement (you must have earned at least $3,000 during the base period). The letter will also tell you that you have 30 days from the date on the letter to request a hearing.

To request a hearing, you must contact the VEC in writing or by phone within that 30-day window. You can call 866-832-2363 or mail a written request to the address on your denial letter. At the hearing, a hearing officer will listen to your side of the story and your employer's side, and will make a decision. You can bring documents, witnesses, or both. If you disagree with the hearing officer's decision, you can appeal to the Virginia Court of Appeals, but you must do so within 30 days of the hearing decision.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Filing

The most common mistake is providing incomplete or inaccurate information about your employer. If you write down the wrong company name or address, the VEC may not be able to reach them to verify your employment, and your claim can be delayed or denied. Double-check your employer's legal business name (not a nickname or location name) and the full address of the workplace where you actually worked. If you worked for a large company with multiple locations, include the specific branch or office address.

Another frequent error is not reporting work or income while you are receiving benefits. Some people think that small gigs or a few hours of part-time work do not need to be reported, but Virginia requires you to report all earnings. Failing to report can result in an overpayment that you will have to repay, plus potential fraud charges. A third mistake is missing the 30-day important date to appeal a denial. Once that important date passes, you cannot challenge the decision unless you can show the VEC made a clerical error or you have new evidence that was not available before.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file a claim if I was fired?

You can file, but whether you receive benefits depends on why you were fired. If you were laid off or fired without cause, you are likely to be approved. If you were fired for misconduct — such as repeated tardiness, insubordination, or violating a safety rule — the VEC may deny your claim. Misconduct means intentional wrongdoing or deliberate disregard of your employer's rules, not straightforward making a mistake or performing poorly.

What if I quit my job?

If you quit, you must have had "good cause" to be approved for benefits. Good cause means a reason that would cause a reasonable person to leave — such as unsafe working conditions, a significant cut in pay, or harassment. straightforward disliking your job or wanting to try something else is not good cause. When you file, explain your reason clearly, and if the VEC denies you, you can request a hearing to explain further.

How long does it take to receive my first payment?

Most people receive their first payment within three to four weeks of filing, though it can be faster if your employer responds quickly to the VEC's verification request. The information letter will tell you the exact date your first payment is scheduled. If you do not receive it by that date, contact the VEC to check the status of your claim.

Can I receive benefits if I am working part-time?

Yes, you can work part-time and still receive reduced benefits, as long as you report your earnings. If you earn less than one-third of your weekly benefit amount, you will receive your full benefit that week. If you earn more, your benefit is reduced by the amount you earned above that threshold. This allows you to supplement your income while you search for full-time work.

What if my employer says I quit when I was actually laid off?

If there is a disagreement about the reason you left, the VEC will investigate. Bring any documentation you have — a layoff notice, an email from your employer, a severance letter, or messages from coworkers. At a hearing, you can explain what happened and present evidence. The hearing officer will decide based on the facts presented by both sides.