Unemployment Insurance and You: Questions
and Answers
BENEFITS
It is a benefit, totally funded by employers, designed to replace
a portion of the income you lose if you are out of work through
no fault of your own and are physically able to work, available
for work, and actively seeking work.
If your employer is laying off a group of employees at the same time,
arrangements may have been made for Virginia Employment Commission (VEC)
staff to come to your worksite at a specified time and date to take
your claim for benefits. Your employer will be able to provide you with
this information.
If you are not part of a group layoff, or if no special arrangements
have been made, you can apply for benefits by calling our customer
contact center at 1-866-832-2363, or filing over the Internet
at this website.
- IS THERE A WAITING PERIOD BEFORE I CAN COLLECT BENEFITS?
There is a one-week waiting period which cannot begin until the
claim is filed. You must meet all eligibility requirements to
receive credit for the waiting period week.
- HOW MUCH WILL MY BENEFIT BE?
Your benefit amount is computed using payrol.l information reported
to the VEC by employers and it is based on the wages you received
during
a specific 12-month period called the base period. The base period
is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters
before the effective date of your claim. A claim is effective on Sunday
of
the week in which the claim is filed.
Benefit amounts range from $54.00 per week to $363.00 per week. When you
file your claim you will receive a computer printout called a monetary
determination, which lists your employers and wages for the base period,
your weekly benefit amount, and your maximum total benefit.
- HOW LONG CAN I DRAW BENEFITS?
A claim is established for a 52-week period beginning with the
effective date. Your total benefit qualification divided by your
weekly benefit amount determines how many weeks of benefits are
available to you. The duration is the number of weeks of benefits
available to you during the 52 weeks of your claim. Benefit durations
range from 12 weeks to 26 weeks. The duration of your benefits
will also be found on your computer printout.
Once your initial claim is filed, you will receive your benefits
either by debit card or direct deposit, whichever you choose.
Benefits will be deposited into your account for each week that
you claim benefits and meet the elegibility requirements.
- WHAT IF I STILL HAVE MY JOB, BUT MY HOURS AND PAY HAVE BEEN
CUT?
You may be entitled to receive partial benefits. The only way
to be certain is to apply for benefits. Tell the interviewer who
talks with you that you are still working but your hours have
been reduced.
- CAN I RECEIVE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS IF I’M OUT OF WORK
DUE TO ILLNESS OR INJURY?
Unemployment benefits are designed for people who are physically
able to work, who are available for work, and who are actively
seeking work. However, anyone may apply for benefits. If your
circumstances restrict your ability to work or to seek work, then
a ruling will be made on your eligibility after you apply and
claim your first week of benefits.
- CAN I ATTEND SCHOOL AND STILL COLLECT BENEFITS?
You may be able to receive benefits while attending school.
Your local office will ask for information about your classes
and determine if you are eligible to receive benefits.
- WILL THE VEC HELP ME FIND ANOTHER JOB?
The VEC will work with you to try to help you find a new job. One of
the eligibility conditions for receiving unemployment benefits is that
you register for work with the VEC. However, you do not have to wait
until you are unemployed to register or to use the services offered.
If you have additional questions about unemployment benefits, please
contact your nearest office
of the Virginia Employment Commission.
The Virginia Employment Commission is an
equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available
upon request to individuals with disabilities.
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