How to File for Unemployment in Virginia

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: September 6, 2019 References

Figuring out how to claim unemployment benefits after losing your job can make an already tough situation seem even worse. Fortunately, filing for unemployment in Virginia is a relatively easy process that can really help you find a new job and deal with the stress of unemployment. You will need to have personal and employment information on hand to see if you are eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. If you meet the criteria, you can file your claim and collect an unemployment insurance check while you look for your new job. Finding the right job can take time, and the Virginia Employment Commission will help you search for work while providing some financial assistance.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Determining Your Eligibility

1
Read the Virginia Unemployment Insurance Handbook for Claimants. This handy guide will provide you with a lot of information that will help you get organized and ready to file your claim. This handbook can be accessed at http://www.vec.virginia.gov/unemployed/Claimant-Handbook.
2
Make sure your wages meet the minimum requirements. The state uses quarterly earnings to determine your eligibility. In order to qualify for unemployment insurance, you must have earned at least a combined total of $3,000 in 2 of the 4 earliest earnings quarters of your 18 month employment history.^{[1]
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- For example, if you file your claim in September of 2018, the state will use your 2 highest earnings quarters from April 1, 2017 through March 31, 2018 to determine your eligibility.
- The amount of money you made while you were employed will affect how much unemployment insurance you can collect and for how long. The higher your salary, the more you can collect in unemployment insurance.^{[2]
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- To receive the highest claim for the longest period of time, you must have earned a combined total of at least $18,900.01 during 2 of the 4 earnings quarters examined by the state.^{[3]
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3
Talk to your employer about your dismissal. You need to have your cause of termination available when you file for your benefits. In some cases, the cause of termination can cause a delay of up to several weeks for your unemployment insurance.^{[4]
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- In order to collect unemployment insurance, you must be unemployed through no fault of your own, as defined by Virginia law. If you quit your job, or if you were fired for misconduct, you will likely be ineligible for benefits.^{[5]
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4
Be prepared to meet weekly eligibility qualifications. In order to continue to receive unemployment insurance, you will need to complete several tasks each week. If you are unable or unwilling to conduct an ongoing job search and file a weekly claim, you will not be able to collect your benefits.
- You will need to provide the names of employers that you have contacted for work during the week. You must report all the work you performed during the week and any money that your earned.^{[6]
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- If you refuse an offer for work during the week, it must be for a legitimate reason to continue to receive your benefits. Certain factors, like distance, low pay, and a dangerous work environment could allow you to refuse a job offer and still collect unemployment insurance.^{[7]
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5
Contact the Virginia Employment Commission. If you believe you are eligible for unemployment insurance and have gathered all of your info, you should contact the VEC. They can help you figure out if you are missing important information or have disqualifying factors. If you do this before you file your claim, it could save you some time.
- You can contact the VEC call center, toll free at 1-866-832-2363. They are available from 8:15am to 4:30pm Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. The office is closed on state holidays.^{[8]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Filing Your Claim

1
Choose your method for filing your claim. Virginia has two options for filing your unemployment claim. You can file online or over the phone. Applying online is probably the easiest and fastest way to file your claim.
- You can begin the process of filing your claim by visiting the VEC Online Claims site found here: http://www.vec.virginia.gov/unemployed
- To file your claim over the phone, contact the VEC call center toll free at 1-866-832-2363. They are available from 8:15am to 4:30pm Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. The office is closed on state holidays.^{[9]
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- If you are filing over the phone, you will be given instructions on how to use the VEC's Voice Response System (VRS). Follow these instructions carefully. The VRS can be contacted at 1-800-897-5630.^{[10]
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- Try to use a landline if you are filing over the phone. If you use a cell phone and the call gets dropped, you will have to start the process all over again.
2
Complete your application. Regardless of the method you have chosen to file your claim, you will need to provide personal information and employment documentation. Make sure you record the information correctly and accurately. You will need the following information to complete your application:
- Social security number or Alien Registration Number.^{[11]
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- Home address, email address, and a telephone number where you can be reliably reached.
- The names, addresses, and phone numbers of your employers over the previous 18 months
- Pay stubs and tax records that show your wages earned over the previous 18 months.
- If you were employed through a local union hall, you need the name and local number of the union that secured your employment.^{[12]
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- If you were on active duty in the U.S. military in the past 18 months, you will need to provide DD Form 214, Member 4. ^{[13]
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- If you worked for the federal government, you will need to provide Standard Form 8 and Standard Form 50.^{[14]
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- If you wish to receive your compensations through direct deposit into your bank account, you will need to provide your account number and a routing number linked to that account.^{[15]
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3
Calculate how much unemployment insurance you will collect. The more that you made at your previous job, the more you will collect in unemployment insurance. You will collect these benefits over a period of 12 and 26 weeks depending on your circumstances.^{[16]
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- For a table that provides rough estimates for how much you will receive in benefits go here: https://www.vec.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/bentable.pdf
- After you file your initial claim, the VEC will provide a monetary determination letter that details your benefits.
- Once your claim is established, the amount you qualify for will remain the same for one year. It is available to you until you have reached your maximum benefit amount or the benefit year comes to an end.^{[17]
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Select your method of payment. You will need to choose between a VA Debit Card or direct deposit. If you choose direct deposit, you will need to provide a routing number and your account number. If you choose a VA Debit Card, it may take a few weeks after filing your claim before the card arrives in the mail.^{[18]
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- You can expect your first payment within 14 days of filing your initial claim. It takes 2 business days for your funds to be deposited into your account after your weekly claim is processed.^{[19]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Maintaining Your Unemployment Claim

1
Register at the VEC Workforce Connection. This is a job search service provided by the Virginia Department of Labor. You can register online or in person at the VEC workforce center. You must register within 5 days after filing your initial application for benefits. If you fail to register, you will likely not receive benefits.^{[20]
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- The VEC Workforce Connection website can be found at https://www.vawc.virginia.gov/vosnet/Default.aspx.
- The VEC Workforce Connection Centers can be found locally, but their primary office is located at 61 Main Street, Chatham, Virginia 24531.
2
Look for work. While you receive unemployment benefits, you must be actively seeking work every week. Keep a written record of all the employers you have contacted. Make sure to get the employers phone number and write down the dates and times you have contacted them.^{[21]
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- You should treat your job search as a full-time job. Create a schedule and stick to it. Make time for leisure, but avoid treating your period of unemployment as a vacation.^{[22]
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- This time can be used to create and perfect cover letters and resumes, and visit job fairs.
3
File your weekly request for payment. Just like your initial claim, you can file your weekly claim online or over the phone. You must file a weekly claim in order to continue to receive benefits. You will need to provide information on the employers you have contacted during the week.
- You will need to provide the name, address, phone number, contact person, date of contact, result of contact, and other information for the potential employers you have contacted during the week.^{[23]
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- If you performed work during the week, you need to report this along with the amount of money you earned. If you worked less than full-time or earned less than your weekly benefit amount, you can still collect some of your benefits.^{[24]
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- Report any refusal of a job offer. You will need to have a valid reason for rejecting work in order to receive your unemployment insurance. If a job is dangerous, far beyond your qualifications, unreasonably distant, or too low paying, you will probably still be able to claim your benefits.
4
Appeal if your unemployment claim is denied. You will receive a written notification if you are denied benefits. If you disagree with the findings, you can appeal. You have 30 days to file your appeal after the denial has been issued.^{[25]
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- Send your appeal via mail to: The Virginia Employment Commission, Office of First Level Appeals, Room 124. P.O. Box 1358, Richmond, VA 23218-1358. You can also send an appeal via fax to (804) 786-8492. Appeal online at: www.vec.virginia.gov/appeals/file
- If you can afford it, you should have an attorney represent you at the hearing, but you can always represent yourself. You will have the opportunity to present and question witnesses, provide documents to support your case, and give testimony under oath.
- If you disagree with the decision of the initial Appeals Examiner, you can file for a Commission Appeal. The VEC will mail you a notice of Appeal and you must request a hearing within 14 days from the date of the notice. If you disagree with the findings of the commission, you can file a petition for judicial review and take the matter to a state court.^{[26]
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