How Do I Apply for Unemployment Benefits with the Virginia Employment Commission?

This detailed article explains how to apply for unemployment benefits in the state of Virginia. Before applying, gather up the following items: your checking or your savings account information if you would like to be paid through a direct deposit, DD #214 Form (for those that were in the military within the last 2 years), information on any applicable severance pay you may have received (if that is applicable), complete employment history for the last 18 months, the address where you get your mail currently, your prior employer's contact number, your most recent wage information, your driver's license number or your identification number, an alien registered identification number or registration number (if you're not a US citizen), the specific reason you lost your job, your email, your phone number, your social security number, and your home address. After you have these items, you can apply by phone or online.

Adam Goldkamp is the editor / author responsible for this content.
Apr 28, 2020

Virginia residents that want to apply for unemployment benefits may be wondering how to do that exactly. If that describes you, we understand. We are here to assist you. This article will take you through the process of applying step-by-step so you know exactly what to do. Are you ready to move forward? Very good. Let's do it:

1. You are required to earn a minimum of $3,000 in Virginia during two-quarters of what's known as your "base period" if you would like to apply for unemployment benefits. You will immediately be eligible to receive unemployment benefits, however, if your application is approved.

2. Virginia provides claimants with between $60 and $378 per week. The amount that people are eligible for depends on what their earnings were. However, it is important to note that $378 is the absolute maximum that you are eligible for in the state of Virginia.

3. You are able to get unemployment benefits for 12 to 26 weeks in the state of Virginia. This is dependent upon your specific situation. Also, in 2020, there was a law passed called the federal CARES act that extends this by an additional 13 weeks.

4. The law of Virginia stipulates that you are eligible for unemployment only if you lost your job through no fault of your own. This is important to keep in mind as you are filing your application.

5. If you would like to apply for unemployment benefits in the beautiful state of Virginia, you'll want to gather up the following items: your checking or your savings account information if you would like to be paid through a direct deposit, DD #214 Form (for those that were in the military within the last 2 years), information on any applicable severance pay you may have received (if that is applicable), complete employment history for the last 18 months, the address where you get your mail currently, your prior employer's contact number, your most recent wage information, your driver's license number or your identification number, an alien registered identification number or registration number (if you're not a US citizen), the specific reason you lost your job, your email, your phone number, your social security number, and your home address.

6. You will be able to apply online or via the Virginia customer contact center after you have gathered all of the items listed above.

7. You can file an appeal within 30 days of the exact date the determination letter was mailed to you that mentioned your denial. You can submit your appeal by fax, online or by mail.

8. If you would like further guidance on your unemployment application, please visit our dedicated contact page for the Virginia Employment Commission. We will put you in touch with a human who will be able to properly assist you.

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Adam has been tirelessly trying to help customers find the best tips and tricks to get through phone trees and writing many guides for prickly customer service problems. He's been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Inside Edition and Bloomberg.
How Do I Apply for Unemployment Benefits with the Virginia Employment Commission?

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