Where to File Your Claim

Virginia's unemployment system is run by the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC). You file your claim directly with VEC, not through a local office or third party. VEC accepts claims online through their website, by phone, or by mail — online is fastest and you'll get confirmation when ready.

To file online, go to vec.virginia.gov and look for the "File a Claim" button on the homepage. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and information about your most recent employer. The online form takes 15 to 20 minutes to complete. If you file by phone, call the VEC claims line at 866-832-2363; wait times are longest on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Key Takeaways

  • File your claim with the Virginia Employment Commission online at vec.virginia.gov, by phone at 866-832-2363, or by mail within two weeks of losing your job.
  • You will need your Social Security number, ID number, and your most recent employer's name, address, and phone number to complete your claim.
  • VEC will contact your employer to verify the reason you left work, so be prepared to explain the separation clearly on your claim form.
  • Your first payment arrives by debit card (or direct deposit if you set that up) within two to three weeks after VEC approves your claim.
  • You must file a new claim every week you want to receive a payment, either online or by phone, and answer questions about your job search activity.

What Information You Need Before You Start

Gather these documents before you begin: your Social Security number, your driver's license or state ID number, and details about your most recent job. For your employer, you'll need the company name, the address where you worked, the phone number, and the name of your supervisor or manager if you know it. Have the dates you started and stopped working there.

You should also know the reason you left work — whether you were laid off, fired, quit, or had your hours cut. VEC will ask you to describe this in your own words. If you were fired, write down what happened as clearly as you can; VEC uses your account and your employer's account to decide whether you're owed benefits. If you quit, be ready to explain why. If you were laid off or had hours cut, that's usually straightforward.

If you worked for more than one employer in the past 18 months, have that information ready too. VEC looks at your full work history to calculate your benefit amount.

Completing Your Claim Form Step by Step

When you file online, the form walks you through each section. Start with your personal information: name, address, phone number, and email. Then enter your Social Security number and ID number exactly as they appear on your documents.

Next, you'll describe your most recent job. Enter your employer's name, the address of the location where you worked, and the phone number. Write the date you started and the date your job ended. In the box asking why you left, be specific: "Laid off due to business closure," "Fired for attendance," or "Quit because of unsafe working conditions" — not just "Job ended."

You'll answer yes-or-no questions about whether you were fired for misconduct, whether you quit without good cause, and whether you're receiving severance or vacation pay. Answer honestly; VEC will verify these answers with your employer. If you answer yes to any of these, explain in the text box provided. For example, if you were fired, write what happened: "I was late three times in one week and was terminated."

At the end, you'll choose how you want to receive your payment — debit card (arrives in your mail) or direct deposit to your bank account (faster). If you choose direct deposit, have your routing number and account number ready.

What Happens After You File

After you submit your claim, VEC sends you a confirmation number. Save this number. Within three to five business days, VEC will mail you a notice telling you whether your claim was approved or denied, or whether they need more information from you. You can also check the status of your claim online at vec.virginia.gov by logging in with your Social Security number.

VEC will contact your employer to verify the information you provided. Your employer has about 10 days to respond. If your employer says you were fired for misconduct or that you quit without good cause, VEC may deny your claim. If that happens, you'll receive a letter explaining why and telling you how to appeal. You have 30 days from the date on the letter to file an appeal.

If your claim is approved, your first payment arrives within two to three weeks. Payments are sent weekly by debit card or direct deposit, depending on what you chose. The amount depends on how much you earned in the past 18 months; Virginia's maximum weekly benefit is set by state law and changes each year.

Filing Your Weekly Claim

Once your initial claim is approved, you must file a new claim every week to receive a payment. You can file online at vec.virginia.gov or by phone at 866-832-2363. Filing takes about five minutes. You'll answer questions about whether you worked that week, how much you earned if you did work, and whether you looked for a job.

File your weekly claim on the same day each week — the day VEC assigns you when your initial claim is approved. If you miss a week, you don't receive a payment for that week. If you miss two weeks in a row without contacting VEC, your claim may be closed.

When you file your weekly claim, you'll report any income you earned that week. If you worked part-time or had a few days of work, report those earnings. VEC reduces your benefit payment based on what you earned, but you may still receive a partial payment. If you earned more than your weekly benefit amount, you won't receive a payment that week, but your claim stays open.

Common Reasons Claims Are Denied

VEC denies claims most often because you were fired for misconduct, you quit without good cause, or you didn't meet Virginia's work history requirement. Misconduct means you broke a rule you knew about or were warned about — being late repeatedly, sleeping on the job, or violating safety rules. If you were fired for a single mistake or for something you couldn't control, that's usually not misconduct.

Quitting without good cause means you left a job for personal reasons that weren't related to the job itself. If you quit because of low pay, a difficult boss, or because you wanted a different job, VEC will likely deny your claim. If you quit because of unsafe conditions, harassment, or a significant change in your job duties, you may have good cause and can appeal.

You also must have earned enough in the past 18 months to meet Virginia's minimum. The exact amount changes each year, but it's roughly $3,000 in total earnings or 20 weeks of work. If you worked very part-time or only recently moved to Virginia, you might not meet this requirement.

If Your Claim Is Denied or You Disagree With a Decision

If VEC denies your claim or reduces your benefit amount, you'll receive a letter explaining the reason. The letter includes instructions for filing an appeal. You have 30 days from the date on the letter to appeal. You can appeal online at vec.virginia.gov, by mail, or by phone.

When you appeal, explain why you disagree with VEC's decision. If you were fired, explain what happened and why you believe it wasn't misconduct. If you quit, explain the circumstances that forced you to leave. If you believe you meet the work history requirement, provide dates and employer names. VEC will schedule a hearing where you and your employer can present your sides of the story. The hearing is usually by phone and takes 15 to 30 minutes.

An appeals examiner listens to both sides and makes a decision. If you disagree with that decision, you can appeal again to the Virginia Employment Commission board, but you must do so within 30 days of the examiner's decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get my first payment after I file?

If your claim is approved, your first payment arrives within two to three weeks. This includes the time VEC takes to review your claim (three to five business days), verify information with your employer (about 10 days), and process your payment. If you choose direct deposit instead of a debit card, your payment arrives faster.

Can I file a claim if I was fired?

You can file, but VEC will deny your claim if you were fired for misconduct. Misconduct means you broke a rule you knew about or were warned about. If you were fired for a single mistake, poor performance you couldn't control, or something unrelated to your behavior, you may still receive benefits. File your claim and explain what happened; VEC will investigate.

What if I'm still working part-time while I look for full-time work?

You can still file a claim. Report your part-time earnings on your weekly claim form. VEC will reduce your benefit payment based on what you earned, but you may receive a partial payment. If you earn more than your weekly benefit amount, you won't receive a payment that week, but your claim stays open.

Do I have to look for a job while I'm receiving benefits?

Yes. When you file your weekly claim, you'll answer whether you looked for work that week. You don't have to provide names of employers you contacted, but you should be prepared to describe your job search if VEC asks. VEC can deny future payments if you're not actively looking for work.

What if I move out of Virginia while receiving benefits?

Contact VEC when ready. You may be able to continue receiving Virginia benefits if you're looking for work in another state, but the rules depend on your situation. Call 866-832-2363 to speak with a claims representative about your options.