Virginia Unemployment Calculator
Estimate your Virginia weekly unemployment benefit. Virginia's maximum is $430/week for up to 26 weeks. Results are estimates — Virginia Employment Commission makes the official determination.
Estimate My Weekly Benefit
This is an estimate only. Your actual benefit depends on your specific base period wages, employer records, and Virginia Employment Commission's determination. File your claim to get the official amount.
File your Virginia claim at VEC Online →Virginia unemployment benefits: what you need to know
Virginia uses a variable-duration formula similar to North Carolina: the number of available weeks depends on the statewide unemployment rate, ranging from 12 to 26 weeks. Federal contractors and government employees in the DC Northern Virginia corridor are a major claimant segment, and their claims can involve additional employer-verification steps.
Virginia pays a maximum of $430/week and a minimum of $112/week. Your amount is set by your base-period earnings, capped at the state maximum.
Up to 26 weeks under standard conditions. At the maximum rate, that is about $11,180 total.
Virginia has a one-week unpaid waiting period. File and certify for it anyway — payment begins the following eligible week.
3 contacts per week must be documented to stay eligible. Keep a dated log.
Virginia Unemployment FAQ
How much unemployment can I get in Virginia?
In Virginia, the maximum weekly benefit is $430 and the minimum is $112. Your actual weekly benefit amount is based on your earnings during your base period (typically the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters). Use the estimator above to get an approximate figure, then confirm the exact amount with Virginia Employment Commission after you file.
How long do unemployment benefits last in Virginia?
Virginia provides up to 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits under standard conditions. Duration in this state can vary with the statewide unemployment rate — verify the current maximum when you file. If you exhaust regular benefits, ask Virginia Employment Commission whether any extended programs are currently active.
Is there a waiting week for unemployment in Virginia?
Yes. Virginia imposes a one-week unpaid waiting period. You still need to file and certify for that week, but it is not paid. Payments begin from the second eligible week.
How many job search contacts are required each week in Virginia?
Virginia requires 3 work search contacts per week to remain eligible while collecting benefits. Keep a dated log of each activity (employer name, date, method of contact) in case Virginia Employment Commission audits your claim.
How do I file an unemployment claim in Virginia?
File with Virginia Employment Commission online at https://www.vec.virginia.gov/ or by phone at 1-866-832-2363. Have your Social Security number, employer information for the last 18 months, reason for separation, and bank details for direct deposit ready. File the same week you lose your job — most states pay from the week you file, not the week your job ended.