The Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) is waiving the waiting week requirements for all new initial claims with an effective date of 3-16-2020 and beyond due to the Coronavirus outbreak in the Commonwealth of Virginia. They will also be waiving the work search requirements for all claimants starting with the week ending 3-21-2020.
For comprehensive guidance and resources about state benefits related to employment and COVID-19, we highly recommend this FAQ page from the Virginia Employment Commission.
Click HERE to view a general information flyer on unemployment procedures to file or re-open a claim.
If you are a worker who has been totally or partially separated from your job due to Coronavirus, please note that no claim for unemployment insurance may be filed or processed until an actual lay off from employment has occurred, or until there has been an actual reduction in hours. When filing your claim for unemployment benefits, please be sure to check the reason for separation as Lack of Work/Lay off. If you will be filing because of a reduction in hours, you will not receive benefits unless your gross earnings are less than your weekly benefit amount. Currently the maximum weekly benefit amount in Virginia is $378.
File a new claim for unemployment benefits
VEC Unemployment Insurance Information Links:
Customer Contact Center 1-866-832-2363 Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Online Claims
File a New Claim for UI Benefits Online
Telephone Claims
File a New Claim for UI Benefits by Telephone: 1-866-832-2363
Available 8:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday. Closed weekends and state holidays.
Continuing Claims
It is your responsibility to file your weekly continued claim on time, each week, while you are receiving benefits. If you have filed an unemployment insurance application (UI), you must then file a weekly claim for each week or you will NOT be paid. It is recommended to do this on Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday of each week if you remain unemployed and want to be paid for the prior week.
- File Your Weekly Continued Claim by Internet
- File Your Weekly Continued Claim by Telephone: 1-800-897-5630
Contact Information Changes
If your contact information changes at any time, it is your responsibility to notify the VEC immediately at: 1-866-832-2363 or complete the name/address change form: Instructions | Form.
TTY Callers
For TTY Callers: Virginia Relay, Call 711 or 800-828-1120
Virginia Relay enables people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf/blind, or speech disabled to communicate by TTY (text telephone).
For additional VEC information, contact Hosey Burgess at either 757-629-4703 or hosey.burgess@vec.virginia.gov.
