Many of Virginia’s working class people are out of work.  If you are among them, this is probably a very stressful and frustrating time.  Fortunately, there are services to help you support yourself and your family while you get back on your feet.

Virginia Unemployment Insurance provides temporary income for unemployed workers.

This purpose of this blog is to help you understand and access Virginia Unemployment benefits.  Please sign up at the right to receive free updates and tips as they become available.

Eligibility Requirements for Virginia Unemployment Benefits

To qualify for Virginia Unemployment benefits, you must have worked enough wages in covered employment during your ‘base period’.  Your base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters (Jan-Mar, Apr-Jun, Jul-Sep, Oct-Dec) prior to your application.  You must also have wages in Virginia in order to file your claim. You must have made at least $2700 in your two highest quarters combined to be monetarily eligible.

Also, to receive Virginia Unemployment benefits, you must:

1)      Be unemployed. You are unemployed if you are not working and are not earning any money. You are partially unemployed if you are working less than full time for your regular employer because of a lack of work and earning less than your weekly benefit amount.

2)      File your application for benefits. This may be done through the VEC call center or over the Internet at www.VaEmploy.com.

3)      Report all work (including temporary, part time and self-employment) and money as it is earned (not when it is paid to you) from any source for any week you file a request for payment.

4)      Be able to work and available for work.

5)      Register for work through the VEC Workforce Connection website at www.VAWC.Virginia.gov.

6)      Make an active search for work each week.

7)      Report all refusals of job offers from any source.

      File your Weekly Request for Payment of Benefits in a timely manner.

Applying for Virginia Unemployment Benefits

You may apply for Virginia Unemployment benefits online at www.VaEmploy.com or by telephone by calling 1-866-832-2363.  Applicants with a social security number ending with an odd number are asked to call on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday.  Applicants with a social security number ending with an even number are asked to call on Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday.  You will be asked to supply the name, address and telephone number of your last employer (and, in some cases, previous employers), your dates of employment, and the reason you are unemployed.

Receiving Virginia Unemployment Benefits

Your claim is good for a “benefit year,” which is 52 weeks, beginning with the week you file your application. You cannot file a new claim in Virginia until your benefit year is over, even though you may have received all of your benefits. Most claimants receive between 13 to 26 weeks of benefits; this period may be extended by law.  The average Virginia Unemployment claim is approved for 12.6 weeks of benefits.  The minimum weekly benefit amount is $54 and the maximum is $378.

For More Information

Please complete the form to stay informed of all the latest news and updates for Virginia Unemployment and tips on how to survive and thrive during this difficult time.  Good luck!

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