Question 1

Can you get unemployment if you were fired in Virginia?

Accepted Answer

If you are discharged for misconduct connected with your work, you are disqualified until you work for an employer for 30 days or 240 hours and then become separated again. The law's examples of misconduct include a confirmed positive test for a non-prescribed controlled substance under a known workplace drug policy, and lying about past criminal convictions on a job application. Other examples are willfully violating a state standard in a way that would get a licensed employer sanctioned, and chronic absenteeism or tardiness that deliberately violates a known policy, or unapproved absences after a written warning. The VEC may consider mitigating circumstances.

Question 2

Can you get unemployment if you quit in Virginia?

Accepted Answer

If you quit without good cause, you are disqualified until you work for an employer for 30 days or 240 hours and then become separated again. Good cause related to the job, such as unsafe working conditions, can qualify, as can leaving because you or your child were a victim of domestic violence, stalking or sexual assault. Quitting to become self-employed or to follow a spouse to a new place is not good cause, except when following a military spouse on a permanent change of station.

Question 3

Can you get unemployment if your hours were cut in Virginia?

Accepted Answer

You may receive benefits if you were laid off, or your hours were cut, because your employer did not have enough work. If you work part-time, you may get reduced benefits.

Question 4

How much do you need to have earned to get unemployment in Virginia?

Accepted Answer

You must have earned at least $3,000 in your two highest-paid base-period quarters combined. The regular base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before your claim's effective date. If you do not qualify that way, an alternate base period of the last four completed quarters can be used.

Question 5

How much is unemployment in Virginia?

Accepted Answer

Your weekly benefit is based on your wages in your two highest base-period quarters, up to the legal limit. For new claims filed on or after July 5, 2026, the maximum is $478 and the minimum is $160. For claims filed before July 5, 2026, the range was $112 to $430. To get the maximum, your two highest quarters must total at least $18,900.01.

Question 6

How long can you get unemployment in Virginia?

Accepted Answer

Your base-period earnings determine how many weeks you can collect, from 12 to 26 weeks. Your claim stays open for a one-year benefit year.

Question 7

Is there a waiting week for unemployment in Virginia?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The first week in which you meet all weekly eligibility requirements is your unpaid waiting period week.

Question 8

What are the work search requirements for unemployment in Virginia?

Accepted Answer

You must be able and available to start work immediately and actively look for suitable work. Contact at least two different employers each week, in the week you are claiming. You can contact the same employer again only for a different job opening. Report your contacts through Customer Self Service. Phone filers give basic information by phone and send a written Work Search Record every four weeks. Keep complete records for one year in case of an audit. If you are directed to search for work, you must also register online at www.vawc.virginia.gov, with a VA Works office, or with a workforce agency where you live.

Question 9

Does severance pay affect unemployment in Virginia?

Accepted Answer

A severance package, pay in lieu of notice, or continued pay with full benefits may affect your benefits. Report any separation payments when you file your weekly claim, and VEC will decide whether they are deductible. Retirement income, such as an employer pension, 401(k) distributions, disability or survivor benefits, may reduce your weekly benefit and must be reported.

Question 10

How do I apply for unemployment in Virginia?

Accepted Answer

File a new claim, reopen a claim and file weekly claims online through VEC's Customer Self Service (CSS) portal. Each benefit week runs Sunday through Saturday, and you can claim it only after it ends. You cannot claim weeks that are more than 21 days old. Keep filing every week even while a deputy is deciding your eligibility or an appeal is pending.

Question 11

How do I appeal an unemployment denial in Virginia?

Accepted Answer

You must appeal within 30 days from the date the determination letter was mailed, explaining in writing why you disagree. File through the Customer Self Service portal, or by mail or fax ((804) 786-8492). A hearing officer holds a hearing, and you can appeal that decision further.

Question 12

Can you work part-time and collect unemployment in Virginia?

Accepted Answer

Report gross wages for the week you earn them. The first $100 of gross wages is not counted, and anything above $100 is subtracted from your weekly benefit. For example, $200 in wages with a $300 benefit leaves a $200 payment. If your gross wages equal or exceed your weekly benefit amount, nothing is paid for that week.

Question 13

Can self-employed or gig workers get unemployment in Virginia?

Accepted Answer

You may not receive benefits if you are self-employed full time or your work was not covered employment under the law. While claiming, you must report all wages for any work, including self-employment, for the week they are earned.

Question 14

Where do I log in to my unemployment claim in Virginia?

Accepted Answer

The Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) says the fastest way to certify for weekly benefits is its Customer Self-Service (CSS) portal, where you answer weekly questions about employment, ability to work, work search and job offers. Your first weekly request must be received no later than 21 days after you applied; if you miss the window, you must reopen your claim online or call the VEC Customer Contact Center at 1-866-832-2363. If you can't use online services, certify by phone through the Voice Response System at 1-800-897-5630.

If you were fired	If you are discharged for misconduct connected with your work, you are disqualified until you work for an employer for 30 days or 240 hours and then become separated again. The law's examples of misconduct include a confirmed positive test for a non-prescribed controlled substance under a known workplace drug policy, and lying about past criminal convictions on a job application. Other examples are willfully violating a state standard in a way that would get a licensed employer sanctioned, and chronic absenteeism or tardiness that deliberately violates a known policy, or unapproved absences after a written warning. The VEC may consider mitigating circumstances. Source: Va. Code § 60.2-618(2)
If you quit	If you quit without good cause, you are disqualified until you work for an employer for 30 days or 240 hours and then become separated again. Good cause related to the job, such as unsafe working conditions, can qualify, as can leaving because you or your child were a victim of domestic violence, stalking or sexual assault. Quitting to become self-employed or to follow a spouse to a new place is not good cause, except when following a military spouse on a permanent change of station. Source: Va. Code § 60.2-618(1); VEC Claimant Handbook (updated 12/11/23)
Layoffs and reduced hours	You may receive benefits if you were laid off, or your hours were cut, because your employer did not have enough work. If you work part-time, you may get reduced benefits. Source: VEC Claimant Handbook (updated 12/11/23)
Earnings needed to qualify	You must have earned at least $3,000 in your two highest-paid base-period quarters combined. The regular base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before your claim's effective date. If you do not qualify that way, an alternate base period of the last four completed quarters can be used. Source: VEC, Benefits Information; Benefits Eligibility
Self-employed, 1099 and gig workers	You may not receive benefits if you are self-employed full time or your work was not covered employment under the law. While claiming, you must report all wages for any work, including self-employment, for the week they are earned. Source: Virginia Employment Commission, Claimant Handbook; Benefits Eligibility

Weekly benefit amount	Your weekly benefit is based on your wages in your two highest base-period quarters, up to the legal limit. For new claims filed on or after July 5, 2026, the maximum is $478 and the minimum is $160. For claims filed before July 5, 2026, the range was $112 to $430. To get the maximum, your two highest quarters must total at least $18,900.01. Maximum $478 per week, effective for new claims filed on or after July 5, 2026. Source: VEC, Benefits Information, "How much can you get in benefits and for how long?"
How many weeks	Your base-period earnings determine how many weeks you can collect, from 12 to 26 weeks. Your claim stays open for a one-year benefit year. Source: VEC, Benefits Eligibility
Waiting week	Yes. The first week in which you meet all weekly eligibility requirements is your unpaid waiting period week. Source: VEC, Benefits Eligibility, "Weekly Claim"
Working part-time on benefits	Report gross wages for the week you earn them. The first $100 of gross wages is not counted, and anything above $100 is subtracted from your weekly benefit. For example, $200 in wages with a $300 benefit leaves a $200 payment. If your gross wages equal or exceed your weekly benefit amount, nothing is paid for that week. Source: VEC, Benefits Information, "How much can I earn and still receive benefits?"
Severance and vacation pay	A severance package, pay in lieu of notice, or continued pay with full benefits may affect your benefits. Report any separation payments when you file your weekly claim, and VEC will decide whether they are deductible. Retirement income, such as an employer pension, 401(k) distributions, disability or survivor benefits, may reduce your weekly benefit and must be reported. Source: VEC Claimant Handbook (updated 12/11/23), "Separation Pay" and "Retirement Income"

How to apply	File a new claim, reopen a claim and file weekly claims online through VEC's Customer Self Service (CSS) portal. Each benefit week runs Sunday through Saturday, and you can claim it only after it ends. You cannot claim weeks that are more than 21 days old. Keep filing every week even while a deputy is deciding your eligibility or an appeal is pending. Source: VEC, Unemployed page; Benefits Eligibility
Work search requirements	You must be able and available to start work immediately and actively look for suitable work. Contact at least two different employers each week, in the week you are claiming. You can contact the same employer again only for a different job opening. Report your contacts through Customer Self Service. Phone filers give basic information by phone and send a written Work Search Record every four weeks. Keep complete records for one year in case of an audit. If you are directed to search for work, you must also register online at www.vawc.virginia.gov, with a VA Works office, or with a workforce agency where you live. Source: VEC, Benefits Information, "What are the work search requirements?"; Benefits Eligibility
Appealing a denial	You must appeal within 30 days from the date the determination letter was mailed, explaining in writing why you disagree. File through the Customer Self Service portal, or by mail or fax ((804) 786-8492). A hearing officer holds a hearing, and you can appeal that decision further. Source: VEC Claimant Handbook (updated 12/11/23), "Appeal Rights"
Logging in and filing weekly claims	The Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) says the fastest way to certify for weekly benefits is its Customer Self-Service (CSS) portal, where you answer weekly questions about employment, ability to work, work search and job offers. Your first weekly request must be received no later than 21 days after you applied; if you miss the window, you must reopen your claim online or call the VEC Customer Contact Center at 1-866-832-2363. If you can't use online services, certify by phone through the Voice Response System at 1-800-897-5630. CSS login: https://uidirect.vec.virginia.gov/CSS/CSSLogon.htm?locale=en Source: Virginia Employment Commission, Certify for Weekly Benefits

Virginia Unemployment Benefits: Who Qualifies, How Much, and How to Apply

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