Looking for tips to access the Virginia Unemployment Insurance Benefits?
In this article, we will make Unemployment Insurance Benefits easy to understand with Virginia Unemployment phone numbers and other contact information.
We understand.
The experience of unemployment is often fraught with anxiety and feelings of worthlessness. Not being able to provide for oneself and one’s family can be very difficult, and the stress of the situation can be overwhelming.
Those who are unemployed may feel like they are a burden to their loved ones, and they may feel like they are not good enough or valuable enough. It is important to remember that you are not alone in this experience, and there are people who care about you and want to help.
You are valuable, even if you are not working at the moment. There are many resources available to you, so please do not hesitate to reach out for help.
Why did we create the Virginia Unemployment Insurance Benefits Guide?
Government websites can be difficult to navigate for a lot of people. They may be confusing or hard to use, and they may not have all the information people need. This can be frustrating and overwhelming, especially for people who are already struggling.
Having said that, please use our guide as support but NOT the official guide. You will NEED to contact the official unemployment government staff and fight for your own benefits. You can do this.
Who’s in charge of Virginia Unemployment Insurance Benefits?
The Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) is in charge of administering the state’s unemployment insurance program.
VEC is to promote economic growth and stability by delivering and coordinating workforce services to include:
- Policy development
- Job Placement
- Temporary income support
- Workforce information
- Transition and training services
Virginia Unemployment Contact
Customer Self-Service
- File a claim using the IVR: 1-866-832-2363
- File a weekly claim: 1-800-897-5630
- For TTY Callers: Virginia Relay, Call 711
- Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Monday through Friday)
- Closed: Saturday, Sunday
VEC Central Office
- Phone: 866-832-2363
- Address (8:15am to 4:30pm, Monday – Friday. Closed state holidays.)
- 6606 West Broad St.
- Richmond, 23230
- Mailing Address:
- P.O. Box 26441 Richmond, VA
- 23261-6441
How To Qualify for Virginia Unemployment Benefits
In order to be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits in Virginia, a claimant must fulfill the following requirements:
- You are a Virginia resident.
- You have worked in covered employment for at least two-quarters of the base period and earned at least $3,000 during that time.
- You are let go by an employer for no fault of your own – this generally entails a reduction in force or layoffs. The Commission will evaluate whether the employee resigned for good reason if he did so freely.
- You are the worker reporting on actions linked to a job search – you may be asked to present proof of your job search efforts as well as a minimum number of outreach attempts for appropriate work in some situations.
How Much Unemployment Benefits Will I Get in Virginia?
- Base Period: First 4 of the last 5 completed quarters
- Alt Base Period: Last 4 completed quarters
- Duration of Benefits: 12-26 weeks
- Weekly Payment: Min $60 to Max $378
- Maximum Benefits Amount (1 year): $9,828
How Do I Apply for Virginia Unemployment Benefits?
Virginians who are unemployed can file their initial claims online or by calling 1-866-832-2363. Because the phone center is extremely busy, applicants are recommended to submit their UI compensation applications online. If you try to file a claim over the phone, you may encounter an incredibly long wait.
You will have the option to register for employment when you make your initial claim, which may help you get your job search ahead more swiftly. In order to continue receiving your weekly UI payments, the Virginia Employment Commission mandates that you actively seek work.
How do I Manage My Virginia Unemployment Benefits
You must continue to file weekly unemployment insurance claims while receiving benefits. This stage guarantees that you are actively seeking for job while still maintaining your eligibility for assistance.
You can use the Commission’s online web site to submit your weekly claim, or you can contact 1-800-897-5630 to certify by phone.
Unemployed employees are encouraged to file claims using the internet site.
How Do I Appeal a Virginia Unemployment Decision?
You have the right to appeal if you are refused unemployment benefits in Virginia. You only have a limited amount of time to pursue an appeal, so request a hearing as soon as feasible.
You can do it in a variety of ways, including:
- In person — at the VEC local office where you submitted your initial jobless claim. All local offices have appeal forms, and appeals brought by courier are treated as in-person submissions.
- By mail, write to the Clerk of the Commission, P.O. Box 26441, Richmond, VA 23261-6441.
- By fax: FLA 804-786-8492 (Clerk of the Commission).
- The Virginia Internet Appeals website is where you may file your appeal.
You will be able to determine whether your original decision was correct once your appeal has been submitted.
How Do I Report a Virginia Unemployment Fraud?
The Virginia Employment Commission asks for the assistance of all unemployment insurance benefits recipients in reporting individuals or employers suspected of fraud and unemployment insurance system abuse. Doing so helps ensure that Virginia tax dollars are used effectively to help support the eligible individuals in need. You can report suspected fraud via any of the methods listed below:
Online: https://www.vec.virginia.gov/unemployed/fraud
Mail: Virginia Employment Commission
Attention: Benefit Payment Control
Post Office Box 27887
Richmond, VA 23261-7887
Fax: 804-692-0580
Fraud Hotline: 800-782-4001
Be sure to include as much information as you can to help document and support the allegation.
What if I quit?
In general, you are not eligible if you leave your work freely.
If you quit for “good cause,” though, you may be able to collect. The state unemployment office determines what constitutes good reason, and you can make your case for getting benefits.
You should be entitled to a hearing if your claim is denied so that you can explain your claim. You should contact your local office because regulations and conditions differ from state to state.
Similar Content
- South Dakota Unemployment Insurance Benefits Guide
- Tennessee Unemployment Insurance Benefits Guide
- Texas Unemployment Insurance Benefits Guide
- Utah Unemployment Insurance Benefits Guide
- Vermont Unemployment Insurance Benefits Guide
Virginia Unemployment Phone Number and Office Locations
| Virginia Unemployment Office | Virginia Unemployment Office Locations | Virginia Unemployment Phone Number |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Abingdon Center | 1217 West Main StreetAbingdon, VA 24210 | 276-623-9000 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Alexandria | 1900 North Beauregard StreetSuite 300Alexandria, VA 22311 | 703-746-5940 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Cherokee Avenue Center | 5520 Cherokee Avenue Suite 100Alexandria, VA 22312-2319 | 703-813-1300 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Fairfax Alexandria Center | 8350 Richmond Highway Suite 327Alexandria, VA 22309 | 703-704-6286 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Fairfax Annandale Center | 7611 Little River TurnpikeHeritage West, Suite 300WAnnandale, VA 22003 | 703-533-5400 |
| Arlington Employment Center | 2100 Washington Blvd First FloorArlington, VA 22204 | 703-228-1400 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Bristol Center | 200 Bob Morrision BlvdBristol, VA 24201 | 276-642-7350 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Charlottesville Center | 944 Glenwood Station LaneSuite 103Charlottesville, VA 22901 | 434-529-6828 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Covington Center | 106 North Maple AvenueCovington, VA 24426 | 540-962-0983 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Culpeper Center | 210 E. Stevens St. Suite 200Culpeper, VA 22701 | 540-212-4570 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Danville | 211 Nor Dan Drive Suite 1055Danville, VA 24540 | 434-549-8220 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Duffield Center | 225 Boone Trail RoadDuffield, VA 24244 | 276-431-3594 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Emporia Center | 1300 Greensville County CircleSuite CEmporia, VA 23847 | 434-634-2326 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Franklin Center | 100 North College Drive Room 222Franklin, VA 23851 | 757-569-6071 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Fredericksburg Center | 10304 Spotsylvania AvenueSuite 100Fredericksburg, VA 22408 | 540-322-5757 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Galax Center | 1117 E Stuart Dr #2 Suite 167Galax, VA 24333 | 276-236-5105 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Grundy Center | 1039 Plaza Drive Suite DGrundy, VA 24614 | 276-244-1154 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Hampton Center | 600 Butler Farm Road Suite CHampton, VA 23666-1513 | 757-766-4900 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Harrisonburg Center | 160 North Mason StHarrisonburg, VA 22802 | 540-433-4864 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Haysi Center | 23850 Dickenson HighwayHaysi, VA 24256 | 276-865-7157 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Henrico | 121 Cedar Fork RdHenrico, VA 23223 | 804-952-6116 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Jonesville Center | 33701 Main StreetJonesville, VA 24263 | 276-346-9017 |
| Virginia Workforce Center Keysville Center | 200 Daniel RoadKeysville, VA 23947 | 434-736-2035 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Lebanon Center | 1768 East Main StreetLebanon, VA 24266 | 276-883-5506 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Loudoun Center | 102 Heritage Way, North EastPO Box 7400Leesburg, VA 20176 | 703-777-0150 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Lynchburg Center | 3125 Odd Fellows RdLynchburg, VA 24501 | 434-455-5940 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Martinsville | 233 W Commonwealth BlvdMartinsville, VA 24112 | 276-634-3600 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Chesterfield | 304 Turner Road Suite NNChesterfield, VA 23225 | 804-652-3490 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Narrows Center | 211 Main Street Suite 101Narrows, VA 24124 | 540-726-8201 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Norfolk Center | 861 Glenrock RoadEast Building, Suite 100Norfolk, VA 23502 | 757-629-4710 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Norton | 1725 Park Ave SWNorton, VA 24273 | 276-679-9413 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Eastern Shore Center | 25036 Lankford Highway Unit 16Onley, VA 23418 | 757-302-2029 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Orange Center | 127 Belleview AvenueOrange, VA 22960 | 540-661-3419 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Petersburg Center | 22 W. Washington St.Petersburg, VA 23803 | 804-862-6155 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Portsmouth Center | 4824 George Washington HighwayPortsmouth, VA 23702 | 757-558-4455 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Pulaski Center | 246 N. Washington Ave. Suite DPulaski, VA 24301 | 540-980-1323 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Radford Center | 6226 University Park DriveSuite 1300Radford, VA 24141-4767 | 540-831-5980 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Fairfax Reston Center | 11484 Washington Plaza WestSuite 110Reston, VA 20190 | 703-787-4974 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Richlands Center | 501 Railroad AvenueRichlands, VA 24641 | 276-963-2660 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Richmond | 4914 Radford Avenue Suite 101Richmond, VA 23230 | 804.652.3240 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Roanoke Center | 3601 Thirlane Road NW Suite 2Roanoke, VA 24019 | 540-613-8220 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Franklin Center | 50 Claiborne AvenueRocky Mount, VA 24151 | 540-483-0179 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office South Boston | 2506 Houghton AvenueSouth Boston, VA 24592 | 434-572-4472 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Lake Country Center | 111 East Danville StreetSouth Hill, VA 23970 | 434-955-2252 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office ST. Charles Center | 190 Monarch StreetSt. Charles, VA 24282 | 276-365-4546 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Fishersville Center | 1076 Jefferson HighwayStaunton, VA 24401 | 540-332-7750 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Patrick County | 103 West Blue RidgePO Box 1412Stuart, VA 24171 | 276-694-6542 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Suffolk Center | 157 North Main StreetSuffolk, VA 23434 | 757-514-7737 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Saluda Center | 2893 General Puller HighwayUrbanna, VA 23175 | 804-758-2348 |
| The Workplace Career Resource Center | 320 Hospital Drive Suite 11Warrenton, VA 20186 | 540-422-8422 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Warsaw Center | 52 Campus DriveWarsaw, VA 22572 | 804-250-2046 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Winchester Center | 419 North Cameron StreetSecond FloorWinchester, VA 22602 | 540-722-3415 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office | 13370 Minnieville RoadWoodbridge, VA 22192 | 703-586-6800 |
| Virginia Unemployment Office Wytheville Center | 1000 East Main Street Carroll HallWytheville, VA 24382 | 276-228-4051 |
Final Thoughts
We hope the above info has been helpful to you.
We do not make any financial advice but below are some of our thoughts that could help you stand on your feet sooner than later.
- Don’t feel shame about needing help, but also don’t feel entitled.
- Don’t beat yourself up – things happen. The sooner you accept it and move on, the better.
- Don’t burn the bridge. Work with your employer to help yourself.
- 1) Check if you are entitled to severance pay, vacation or sick pay,
- 2) Ask about extending health insurance benefits,
- 3) Ask about outplacement resources,
- 4) Request a reference letter from your employer
- Review your financial positions, obligations.
- Make a weekly or monthly budget. Buy what you need, so you don’t have to sell what you need.
- Watch out for credit card loans – they will eat you alive.
- Make an action plan with at least 3 scenarios from best to worst and examine your options.
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