What Virginia UI Pays and Who It Covers

Virginia unemployment insurance replaces part of your lost wages when you lose a job through no fault of your own. The program is run by the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) and funded by employer payroll taxes, not from your own contributions.

The weekly benefit amount ranges from $60 to $378, depending on your prior earnings. The exact amount is calculated from the highest quarter of earnings in your base period — typically the first four of the five calendar quarters before you file your claim. Virginia pays for up to 12 weeks of benefits in a standard benefit year, though this can extend during periods of high unemployment.

You are covered if you worked for an employer subject to Virginia's unemployment insurance law. This includes most private employers, state and local government workers, and some nonprofit organizations. Self-employed people, independent contractors, and certain agricultural workers are not covered.

Key Takeaways

  • You must file your claim with the Virginia Employment Commission within two years of losing your job, though filing sooner protects your benefit start date.
  • Your base period is the first four of the five calendar quarters before you file, and your benefit amount depends on your highest-earning quarter during that time.
  • You must report all work and earnings each week, even part-time or gig work, or you will lose that week's payment and may face overpayment recovery.
  • Virginia reduces your weekly benefit by 50 percent of any wages you earn, so part-time work does not eliminate benefits but does lower them.
  • You can file online through the VEC website, by phone, or by mail, and you must continue to file weekly claims to receive payments.

The Base Period and How Your Benefit Amount Is Calculated

Your base period is the four calendar quarters that determine both your benefit amount and whether you meet Virginia's earnings requirement. For a claim filed in 2024, the base period runs from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023. The VEC looks at your highest-earning quarter in that period and uses it to calculate your weekly benefit.

To be found may be able to access, you must have earned at least $3,000 in your highest quarter and at least $900 in at least one other quarter during the base period. If you do not meet these thresholds, you will be denied. If you were laid off or had hours cut, but your base period earnings do not reflect recent work, you can request that the VEC use an alternate base period — the four most recent completed quarters — though this requires a written request and VEC approval.

The weekly benefit calculation takes your highest-quarter earnings, divides by 13 weeks, and applies a percentage set by Virginia law. The result is your weekly benefit amount, capped at the state maximum. If you earned $5,200 in your highest quarter, for example, your weekly amount would be calculated differently than someone who earned $15,000, but both are subject to the $378 weekly cap.

Disqualifications and What Stops You From Receiving Benefits

Virginia will deny or stop your benefits if you left your job voluntarily without good cause, were fired for misconduct, or refused suitable work. "Good cause" means a reason a reasonable person would leave — such as unsafe working conditions, wage theft, or a substantial change in job duties. Leaving because you disliked your supervisor or wanted higher pay does not count.

Misconduct means deliberate or willful violation of reasonable employer rules. A single mistake or poor performance is not misconduct; the employer must show you knew the rule and broke it anyway. If you were fired for attendance problems after warnings, that is likely misconduct. If you were fired for a first offense of something you were never told was prohibited, that is not.

You will also lose benefits if you are receiving workers' compensation for the same period, are in prison, or are receiving a government pension based on work you did not contribute to through payroll taxes (such as a military or federal civil service pension). If you are receiving Social Security retirement benefits, that does not disqualify you from UI.

Filing Your Claim and Reporting Requirements

File your claim online through the VEC website at vec.virginia.gov, by phone at 866-832-2363, or by mail to the Virginia Employment Commission, P.O. Box 27255, Richmond, VA 23261. Online filing is fastest and gives you when ready confirmation. You will need your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and information about your last employer.

Your claim is effective the Sunday of the week you file, so filing early in the week protects your benefit start date. Once your claim is filed, the VEC contacts your employer to verify your separation reason. Your employer has ten days to respond. If they dispute your claim, you will receive a notice and can request a hearing before a VEC hearing officer.

After your claim is approved, you must file a weekly claim every week to receive payment. You can file online, by phone, or by mail. Each week you must report whether you worked, how many hours you worked, and how much you earned. If you worked part-time, your weekly benefit is reduced by 50 percent of your earnings. If you earned $200 in a week and your weekly benefit is $300, you receive $100 that week ($300 minus $100, which is 50 percent of $200).

Failure to report work or earnings is treated as fraud. The VEC will demand repayment of all benefits you received for weeks you did not report work, and you may face criminal charges. Even if you forget to report one week, report it the following week — do not skip reporting it.

Work Search Requirements and Exceptions

Virginia requires you to search for work each week while you receive benefits. You must make at least three work search contacts per week — explore for jobs, attending interviews, or registering with a job placement service. You must keep a record of your contacts: the employer name, date, method of contact, and result.

The VEC can ask you to show your work search record at any time. If you cannot produce it, you lose that week's benefit. If you are in a union apprenticeship program, attending approved training, or have a scheduled return-to-work date with your employer, you may be exempt from the work search requirement for that week, but you must notify the VEC in advance.

If you are offered work that pays at least 80 percent of your previous wage and is in your field, you must accept it or lose benefits. If you refuse suitable work without good cause, you are disqualified. "Good cause" for refusing work is narrower than good cause for leaving a job — it typically means the job is unsafe, the hours are impossible, or the location is unreasonable.

Payment Timing and Direct Deposit

Once your claim is approved, payments are issued weekly on Thursday by direct deposit or debit card. The first payment usually arrives within two to three weeks of filing, though this depends on how quickly your employer responds to the VEC's verification request. If your employer disputes your claim and a hearing is held, payment is delayed until after the hearing decision.

Set up direct deposit when you file your claim to receive payments fastest. If you do not have a bank account, the VEC issues a debit card that functions like a prepaid card. Funds are available the same day they are issued. Do not wait for a check in the mail — direct deposit or the debit card are the only payment methods.

If you receive an overpayment — money you were not may have access to to because you did not report work, were disqualified, or made an error on your claim — the VEC will demand repayment. You can request a waiver if the overpayment was not your fault, but waivers are rarely granted. If you do not repay, the VEC can offset future UI payments, intercept your tax refund, or refer the debt to a collection agency.

Appealing a Denial or Reduction of Benefits

If your claim is denied, you receive a written notice explaining the reason. You have 30 days from the date on the notice to file an appeal with the VEC. Appeals are heard by a hearing officer in a formal proceeding. You can represent yourself, bring a witness, or hire an attorney.

The most common reason for denial is that your employer claims you were fired for misconduct or left voluntarily. At the hearing, the employer presents their version of events, and you present yours. The hearing officer decides based on the evidence. If you lose at the hearing, you can appeal to the Virginia Court of Appeals, but you must file within 30 days and the standard of review is narrow.

If your benefits are reduced because you reported earnings, you can request a recalculation if you believe you reported incorrectly. If your benefits stop because you refused work or failed to search, you can appeal by showing that the work was not suitable or that you had good cause for not searching.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive unemployment if I quit my job?

Only if you quit for good cause — a reason a reasonable person would leave. Examples include unsafe conditions, wage theft, or a substantial change in duties. Quitting because you found another job, disliked your boss, or wanted higher pay does not may have access to. Your employer will be asked why you left, and if they say you quit without cause, you must prove otherwise at a hearing.

What happens if I get a new job while receiving benefits?

Report your earnings each week. Your benefit is reduced by 50 percent of what you earn. If you earn $200 and your weekly benefit is $300, you receive $100. If you earn more than your weekly benefit amount, you receive nothing that week, but your claim remains open. Once your new job ends, you can resume receiving full benefits without refiling, as long as you continue to file weekly claims.

How long can I receive unemployment benefits in Virginia?

The standard duration is 12 weeks of benefits in a benefit year. During periods of high unemployment, Virginia may extend benefits to 20 weeks. The VEC announces extensions based on the state's unemployment rate. You can check the VEC website or call 866-832-2363 to learn whether an extension is currently active.

What if my employer says I was fired for misconduct but I disagree?

You will receive a notice of denial and can appeal within 30 days. At the hearing, the employer must prove you knew the rule and deliberately broke it. A single mistake or poor performance is not misconduct. Bring any written policies, emails, or witness statements that show you were not told the rule or that the firing was unfair. The hearing officer decides based on the evidence presented.

Can I file for unemployment if I am self-employed or a contractor?

No. Virginia unemployment insurance covers only employees of covered employers. Self-employed people and independent contractors are not covered. However, if you were misclassified as a contractor when you should have been an employee, you may be covered. Contact the VEC to discuss your situation.