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Virginia Unemployment

Virginia Unemployment Insurance Benefits

Administered by the Virginia Employment Commission, the state's unemployment insurance program helps provide financial stability for Virginia's eligible workers who become unemployed.

Designed to replace a portion of a worker's income while they look for new work, these benefits are paid for by employer taxes. They are covered under the Virginia Unemployment Compensation Act.

Virginia Unemployment Services

Website https://www.vec.virginia.gov/unemployed
Private Website Virginia Unemployment
Phone 866-832-2363
Apply Online https://web.getgov2go.com
Weekly Certification https://web.getgov2go.com
Appeal a Denial https://www.vec.virginia.gov/appeals
Find a Local Office Office Directory
Report Fraud https://www.vec.virginia.gov/unemployed/fraud
Coronavirus Updates https://www.vec.virginia.gov/covid19

How To Qualify for Virginia Unemployment Benefits

To qualify for unemployment insurance benefits in Virginia, a claimant must meet the following criteria for eligibility:

  • Is a resident of Virginia

  • Has earned at least $3,000 during at least two-quarters of the base period while in covered employment.

  • Is separated from an employer due to no fault of the employee. This usually means a reduction in force or layoffs. If the employed resident voluntarily quit, the Commission will determine whether they did so with good cause. It is in force whether the employer is from Virginia or not.

  • Is reporting on activities related to the worker's job search. In some cases, the recipient may be required to submit documentation of efforts related to their job search and to document a minimum number of outreach efforts for suitable work.

Benefit Payments and Duration

Base Period First 4 of the last 5 completed quarters
Alt Base Period Last 4 completed quarters
Duration of Benefits Weekly Payment Maximum Benefits Amount (1 year)
Min Max
12-26 weeks $60 $378 $9,828

How To Apply for Virginia Unemployment Benefits

Unemployed Virginians may submit their initial claims online or by phone at 1-866-832-2363. Applicants are encouraged to submit their UI benefits claims online since call center volume is quite busy. You may face an extremely long wait time if you attempt to make your claim by phone.

When you file your initial claim, you will have the opportunity to register for work, which may help move along your job search more quickly. The Virginia Employment Commission requires claimants actively seek to rejoin the labor force to remain eligible to receive your weekly UI benefits amount.

Managing Your Unemployment Benefits

While receiving unemployment insurance benefits, you are required to continue submitting weekly claims. This step ensures that you are looking for work and remain eligible for benefits. To submit your weekly claim, you must access the Commission's online web portal, or you can call 1-800-897-5630 to certify by phone. The online portal is recommended for unemployed workers to submit claims.

Filing an Appeal in Virginia

If you are denied Virginia unemployment benefits, you have the right to appeal. You are not given much time to file an appeal, so be sure to request a hearing as soon as possible. You can do so in any of the following ways:

  • In person – at the VEC local office where your original unemployment claim was filed. Appeal forms are available in all local offices, and appeals delivered by courier are considered in-person filings.

  • By mail – send your appeal statement to the Clerk of the Commission, P.O. Box 26441, Richmond, VA 23261-6441.

  • By fax -Clerk of the Commission, FLA 804-786-8492.

  • Online – via the Virginia Internet Appeals website.

Once your appeal has been submitted, it will be reviewed to determine whether your original decision was correct.

Reporting Fraud

The Virginia Employment Commission asks for the assistance of all unemployment insurance benefits recipients in reporting individuals or employers suspected of fraud and unemployment insurance system abuse. Doing so helps ensure that Virginia tax dollars are used effectively to help support eligible individuals in need. You can report suspected fraud via any of the methods listed below:

Online: https://www.vec.virginia.gov/unemployed/fraud

Mail: Virginia Employment Commission
Attention: Benefit Payment Control
Post Office Box 27887
Richmond, VA 23261-7887

Fax: 804-692-0580
Fraud Hotline: 800-782-4001

Be sure to include as much information as you can to help document and support the allegation.

Virginia Unemployment Office Locations

Virginia Unemployment Office Abingdon Center 1217 West Main Street
Abingdon, VA 24210
276-623-9000
Virginia Unemployment Office Alexandria 1900 North Beauregard Street
Suite 300
Alexandria, VA 22311
703-746-5940
Virginia Unemployment Office Cherokee Avenue Center 5520 Cherokee Avenue Suite 100
Alexandria, VA 22312-2319
703-813-1300
Virginia Unemployment Office Fairfax Alexandria Center 8350 Richmond Highway Suite 327
Alexandria, VA 22309
703-704-6286
Virginia Unemployment Office Fairfax Annandale Center 7611 Little River Turnpike
Heritage West, Suite 300W
Annandale, VA 22003
703-533-5400
Arlington Employment Center 2100 Washington Blvd First Floor
Arlington, VA 22204
703-228-1400
Virginia Unemployment Office Bristol Center 200 Bob Morrision Blvd
Bristol, VA 24201
276-642-7350
Virginia Unemployment Office Charlottesville Center 944 Glenwood Station Lane
Suite 103
Charlottesville, VA 22901
434-529-6828
Virginia Unemployment Office Covington Center 106 North Maple Avenue
Covington, VA 24426
540-962-0983
Virginia Unemployment Office Culpeper Center 210 E. Stevens St. Suite 200
Culpeper, VA 22701
540-212-4570
Virginia Unemployment Office Danville 211 Nor Dan Drive Suite 1055
Danville, VA 24540
434-549-8220
Virginia Unemployment Office Duffield Center 225 Boone Trail Road
Duffield, VA 24244
276-431-3594
Virginia Unemployment Office Emporia Center 1300 Greensville County Circle
Suite C
Emporia, VA 23847
434-634-2326
Virginia Unemployment Office Franklin Center 100 North College Drive Room 222
Franklin, VA 23851
757-569-6071
Virginia Unemployment Office Fredericksburg Center 10304 Spotsylvania Avenue
Suite 100
Fredericksburg, VA 22408
540-322-5757
Virginia Unemployment Office Galax Center 1117 E Stuart Dr #2 Suite 167
Galax, VA 24333
276-236-5105
Virginia Unemployment Office Grundy Center 1039 Plaza Drive Suite D
Grundy, VA 24614
276-244-1154
Virginia Unemployment Office Hampton Center 600 Butler Farm Road Suite C
Hampton, VA 23666-1513
757-766-4900
Virginia Unemployment Office Harrisonburg Center 160 North Mason St
Harrisonburg, VA 22802
540-433-4864
Virginia Unemployment Office Haysi Center 23850 Dickenson Highway
Haysi, VA 24256
276-865-7157
Virginia Unemployment Office Henrico 121 Cedar Fork Rd
Henrico, VA 23223
804-952-6116
Virginia Unemployment Office Jonesville Center 33701 Main Street
Jonesville, VA 24263
276-346-9017
Virginia Workforce Center Keysville Center 200 Daniel Road
Keysville, VA 23947
434-736-2035
Virginia Unemployment Office Lebanon Center 1768 East Main Street
Lebanon, VA 24266
276-883-5506
Virginia Unemployment Office Loudoun Center 102 Heritage Way, North East
PO Box 7400
Leesburg, VA 20176
703-777-0150
Virginia Unemployment Office Lynchburg Center 3125 Odd Fellows Rd
Lynchburg, VA 24501
434-455-5940
Virginia Unemployment Office Martinsville 233 W Commonwealth Blvd
Martinsville, VA 24112
276-634-3600
Virginia Unemployment Office Chesterfield 304 Turner Road Suite NN
Chesterfield, VA 23225
804-652-3490
Virginia Unemployment Office Narrows Center 211 Main Street Suite 101
Narrows, VA 24124
540-726-8201
Virginia Unemployment Office Norfolk Center 861 Glenrock Road
East Building, Suite 100
Norfolk, VA 23502
757-629-4710
Virginia Unemployment Office Norton 1725 Park Ave SW
Norton, VA 24273
276-679-9413
Virginia Unemployment Office Eastern Shore Center 25036 Lankford Highway Unit 16
Onley, VA 23418
757-302-2029
Virginia Unemployment Office Orange Center 127 Belleview Avenue
Orange, VA 22960
540-661-3419
Virginia Unemployment Office Petersburg Center 22 W. Washington St.
Petersburg, VA 23803
804-862-6155
Virginia Unemployment Office Portsmouth Center 4824 George Washington Highway
Portsmouth, VA 23702
757-558-4455
Virginia Unemployment Office Pulaski Center 246 N. Washington Ave. Suite D
Pulaski, VA 24301
540-980-1323
Virginia Unemployment Office Radford Center 6226 University Park Drive
Suite 1300
Radford, VA 24141-4767
540-831-5980
Virginia Unemployment Office Fairfax Reston Center 11484 Washington Plaza West
Suite 110
Reston, VA 20190
703-787-4974
Virginia Unemployment Office Richlands Center 501 Railroad Avenue
Richlands, VA 24641
276-963-2660
Virginia Unemployment Office Richmond 4914 Radford Avenue Suite 101
Richmond, VA 23230
804.652.3240
Virginia Unemployment Office Roanoke Center 3601 Thirlane Road NW Suite 2
Roanoke, VA 24019
540-613-8220
Virginia Unemployment Office Franklin Center 50 Claiborne Avenue
Rocky Mount, VA 24151
540-483-0179
Virginia Unemployment Office South Boston 2506 Houghton Avenue
South Boston, VA 24592
434-572-4472
Virginia Unemployment Office Lake Country Center 111 East Danville Street
South Hill, VA 23970
434-955-2252
Virginia Unemployment Office ST. Charles Center 190 Monarch Street
St. Charles, VA 24282
276-365-4546
Virginia Unemployment Office Fishersville Center 1076 Jefferson Highway
Staunton, VA 24401
540-332-7750
Virginia Unemployment Office Patrick County 103 West Blue Ridge
PO Box 1412
Stuart, VA 24171
276-694-6542
Virginia Unemployment Office Suffolk Center 157 North Main Street
Suffolk, VA 23434
757-514-7737
Virginia Unemployment Office Saluda Center 2893 General Puller Highway
Urbanna, VA 23175
804-758-2348
The Workplace Career Resource Center 320 Hospital Drive Suite 11
Warrenton, VA 20186
540-422-8422
Virginia Unemployment Office Warsaw Center 52 Campus Drive
Warsaw, VA 22572
804-250-2046
Virginia Unemployment Office Winchester Center 419 North Cameron Street
Second Floor
Winchester, VA 22602
540-722-3415
Virginia Unemployment Office 13370 Minnieville Road
Woodbridge, VA 22192
703-586-6800
Virginia Unemployment Office Wytheville Center 1000 East Main Street Carroll Hall
Wytheville, VA 24382
276-228-4051

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