What Are the Requirements to Get Unemployment in Virginia?
Virginia unemployment insurance eligibility requires that if you lost full-time employment, it must not have been your fault. There are three types of information required to obtain eligibility for EDD; 1) personal verification information, 2) employer and wage documentation, and 3) ongoing requirements needed to remain eligible.
Personal qualifications for unemployment include a Social Security Number, mailing address and pay stubs. The Virginia Employment Commission will cross-check your information for validity and you may receive requests for further information needed, either for verification or to see if you are eligible for additional programs.
Employer information will be gathered from the employer you list as your most recent full-time work. This employer will be sent a form with questions about the nature of your layoff or termination. Even if you meet VA eligibility for EDD requirements, if your employer argues that you were rightfully terminated because of workplace misconduct, your claim will be denied and you will have to appeal the VEC decision to seek benefits.
Ongoing eligibility for unemployment in Virginia requires several things. First, you must register with the Virginia Workforce Connection program. Second, you must exercise a continuous effort to find work. Third, you must report these efforts every week on a payment request form.
What Are the Ongoing Requirements?
Every week you will required to file a Weekly Benefits Request to maintain your unemployment eligibility, which includes certifying that you are still unemployed, reporting any hours or income you received, ensuring you are registered with the VEC Workforce Connection program, and demonstrating an honest effort to find work each week. The number of work search contacts you must make is three per week.
How Do I Report My New Work Contacts?
Keeping your unemployment insurance eligibility current demands that you provide information about each employer you contact while looking for work. One exception to personally searching for work is being a member of a union that provides work search assistance. Other exceptions include illness or injury. If you are not part of a labor union, and no other exceptions apply, then you will have to provide verification of your work search efforts, including the month, day, and time you contacted the employer. To keep your unemployment claim valid, you will also have to provide the mailing address, including any contact information used, such as the email address or telephone number, as well as the full name of the individual contacted, the type of position you applied for, and any results from the interaction.
Who meets the requirements for partial benefits in Virginia?
Partial Virginia unemployment insurance benefits are available if your full-time hours were reduced and you are still employed part-time. The Virginia Employment Commission will provide further requirements by mail, and your employer will have to complete the VEC-V-19 form, pertaining to your earnings, vacation pay, requested time off and any other bonuses or earnings. You will have to ensure these entries by your employer are correct, and submit the form before each Friday of the week in which you worked reduced hours.
What is My Base Period?
Your regular unemployment insurance coverage base period is the first four of the last five completed quarter-year periods. It is used to determine your eligibility and specific benefit payment. For example, if you filed in March and your claim became effective on the last day in March, your regular base period would be the first three quarters of the previous year. The alternate base period is used for anyone who did not qualify under the regular base period and consists of the four most recent calendar quarters.
What if I worked in Other States?
If you have worked in other states but have a residence in Virginia, you may meet unemployment insurance eligibility for an Interstate Claim. You would have to first contact each state’s unemployment office before contacting the Virginia Employment Commission to file your Interstate Claim.
Will My Information Be Kept Confidential?
Any information provided when filing a claim is used only to verify your claim and any eligibility for other state unemployment programs.
What Happens if Any Information is Inaccurate?
Inaccurate information results in an automatic denial of your claim. You may also be subject to legal prosecution and pay back any undue benefits. If the court determines that you committed fraud, you will be ineligible for unemployment benefits for one year.
