Virginia Unemployment
What you need to know to claim unemployment benefits in Virginia, read on the agency's own website. The agency is Virginia Employment Commission (VEC).
the most a week, for up to 26 weeks
job contacts (different employers) a week
Customer Contact Center: questions about your unemployment claim
How to file for unemployment in Virginia
Apply online in the VEC's Customer Self Service, signing in with the green ID.me button; this is the fastest way. You can also apply by phone at the Customer Contact Center, (866) 832-2363, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
From the agency's own page, read October 14, 2026.
After you apply: claiming each week
File a weekly claim (weekly certification) every week, online or by the Voice Response System at (800) 897-5630. File the first one within 21 days of applying.
From the agency's own page, read October 14, 2026.
How much unemployment pays in Virginia, and for how long
The most you can get is $478 a week and the least is $160. Benefits last up to 26 weeks.
For new claims filed on or after July 5, 2026 the weekly amount is between $160 and $478 (before that, $112 to $430), based on the wages of your two highest base period quarters.
From the agency's own page, read October 14, 2026.
The most weeks: from another of the agency's pages, read October 14, 2026. Read from the benefit table (Division C, Duration of Benefits): durations run from 12 to 26 weeks.
How many jobs you must apply for each week
Virginia asks for 2 job contacts (different employers) a week. You must also register with Virginia Workforce Connection within 10 days of filing your initial claim.
Submit job contacts through Customer Self Service or by phone with the weekly claim; keep a written record of each contact.
From the agency's own page, read October 14, 2026.
Our free job application tracker keeps the list: where you applied, when, and what came of it.
Virginia unemployment phone number
Call (866) 832-2363 (customer Contact Center: questions about your unemployment claim), 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday (closed weekends and state holidays). Every line and what it is for.
Where this comes from
Everything on this page was read on the agency's own website, and each part links the page it came from and the day we read it. Rules and amounts change, so check that page before you rely on a figure. Jobareer is not part of any state agency and cannot see or change your claim.
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