Where to File and What You Need Before You Start

Virginia's unemployment system is run by the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC). You file directly with VEC, not through your employer or a third party. The entire process happens online through the VEC website at vec.virginia.gov, or you can call their claims line at 866-832-2363 if you cannot use the website.

Before you start, gather these documents: your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID number, your most recent pay stub or W-2, and the name and address of your current or most recent employer. If you were laid off or fired, have the date it happened ready. If you quit, write down the reason — VEC will ask about it.

You do not need a lawyer, accountant, or paid service to file. VEC staff can answer questions about the process for free. The filing itself takes about 20 to 30 minutes if you have your information ready.

Key Takeaways

  • File through vec.virginia.gov or call 866-832-2363; you cannot file through your employer or a third-party service.
  • Have your Social Security number, ID number, most recent pay stub, and employer information ready before you start.
  • File as soon as you stop working — benefits are backdated to your first week without work, but only if you file within a certain window.
  • After you file, you must report your work search activity every week or your benefits will stop.
  • VEC will contact your employer to verify the reason you are no longer working; your employer's answer may affect whether you receive benefits.

The Online Filing Process Step by Step

Go to vec.virginia.gov and select "File a New Claim" or "File a Weekly Claim" depending on whether this is your first time. The system will ask you to create a login or sign in if you already have one. You will need an email address and a password you create.

The form asks for your personal information, your Social Security number, and your work history for the past 18 months. List every job you held during that time, including the employer name, address, phone number, the dates you worked there, and your job title. If you left a job, describe why — the system gives you options like "laid off," "quit," or "fired," and asks for details.

For your most recent job, VEC will ask whether you are still looking for work and whether you have any income coming in (including severance, vacation payout, or side work). Answer honestly; VEC cross-checks this information with your employer and with tax records.

Once you submit, you will see a confirmation number. Write it down or take a screenshot. VEC will send you an email confirming receipt, usually within a few hours.

What Happens After You File

VEC contacts your employer within three to five business days to verify that you worked there and why you are no longer employed. Your employer will say whether you were laid off, fired, or quit. If your employer says you quit without good cause, VEC may deny your claim — but you can dispute that decision.

If VEC approves your claim, you will receive a information letter in the mail and by email. The letter states your weekly benefit amount and the total amount you can receive during your benefit year. In Virginia, the maximum weekly benefit is $378 as of 2024, though your actual amount depends on your earnings in the past year.

Approval usually takes two to three weeks from the date you file. During that time, you should still file your weekly claim every week, even if you have not heard back yet. If you do not file weekly, you will lose that week's payment.

Filing Your Weekly Claim

Once your initial claim is approved, you must file a weekly claim every week you want to receive benefits. Log into vec.virginia.gov with the same username and password, select "File a Weekly Claim," and answer the questions about that week.

The weekly form asks whether you worked that week, how much you earned if you did, whether you looked for work, and whether you turned down any job offers. You must report all work and all income, including gig work, freelance jobs, or cash payments. If you earned money that week, your benefit payment is reduced by a portion of what you earned.

File your weekly claim by the important date shown on your information letter — usually by midnight on Sunday or Monday. If you miss the important date, you lose that week's payment and cannot get it back. Set a phone reminder if you tend to forget.

When VEC May Deny Your Claim

VEC denies claims most often when your employer says you quit without good cause or were fired for misconduct. "Good cause" means you had a legitimate reason to leave — for example, unsafe working conditions, a significant cut in hours, or harassment. Quitting because you did not like the job or wanted to try something else is not good cause.

You can also be denied if you refuse suitable work. Once you are receiving benefits, you must accept any job offer that matches your skills and pays at least 75 percent of your previous wage. Turning down such an offer without good reason can end your benefits.

If VEC denies your claim, you will receive a information letter explaining why. You have 10 calendar days from the date on the letter to file an appeal. The appeal goes to a hearing officer who will review your case and your employer's response. You can represent yourself or bring a lawyer, though most people handle appeals on their own.

How Much You Receive and for How Long

Your weekly benefit amount is based on your earnings during the first four of the past five calendar quarters before you filed. VEC divides your total earnings by 52 to get an average weekly wage, then pays you a percentage of that amount. The exact percentage varies, but it is usually around 60 percent of your average weekly wage, up to the state maximum.

You can receive benefits for up to 26 weeks in a benefit year, which runs from the date you file. If you find work and earn money, your benefits are reduced but not eliminated — you can earn up to a certain amount per week before your payment stops entirely. VEC sends you a work earnings chart with your information letter showing exactly how much you can earn each week.

If you exhaust your 26 weeks and are still out of work, you may be able to file for extended benefits, but only if Virginia's unemployment rate is high enough. This is not automatic; you have to ask VEC whether you may have access to.

Common Mistakes That Delay Payment

The most common mistake is not filing your weekly claim on time. Missing even one week means you lose that payment forever. Set a calendar alert for the same day each week.

The second mistake is not reporting work or income. If you work part-time, do gig work, or receive a severance or vacation payout, you must report it. VEC finds out through tax records and employer reports, and if you did not disclose it, you will owe the money back plus a penalty.

The third mistake is not responding to VEC's requests for information. If VEC sends you a letter asking for documents or clarification, respond within the important date — usually 10 days. If you do not, your claim can be denied or your payments can stop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file by phone instead of online?

Yes. Call the VEC claims line at 866-832-2363. The wait time is usually 30 minutes to two hours, depending on the day and time. You can also request a callback instead of waiting on hold. Filing online is faster, but phone filing works if you cannot access the website.

What if my employer contests my claim?

If your employer says you quit without good cause or were fired for misconduct, VEC will send you a notice and ask for your side of the story. You have 10 days to respond in writing or request a hearing. At the hearing, you can explain what happened and present evidence — text messages, emails, or witnesses. The hearing officer decides based on what both sides say.

Do I have to report job search activity?

Yes. On your weekly claim form, you must state that you are looking for work. You do not have to list specific jobs you applied for, but you must certify that you are actively searching. If you are not looking for work, you cannot receive benefits.

What if I get a job offer while I am receiving benefits?

You must accept it if it is suitable work — meaning it matches your skills and pays at least 75 percent of your previous wage. If you turn it down without good reason, VEC will stop your benefits. If you accept the job and start work, you stop filing weekly claims and your benefits end.

Can I receive benefits if I was fired?

Only if you were fired for reasons other than misconduct. If you were fired for poor performance, attendance, or rule-breaking, VEC will likely deny your claim. If you were fired for something outside your control — your employer going out of business, a position being eliminated — you may receive benefits. Your employer's explanation determines the outcome.