How Do I Check the Status of My Unemployment Claim with the Virginia Employment Commission?

This article discusses how to check on the status of your unemployment benefits application with the Virginia Employment Commission. Instructions are provided for checking the application status by phone, which is the only available method. Alternate means of contacting the Virginia Employment Commission are provided, in case of trouble. Unemployment benefit eligibility requirements are also listed.

Apr 28, 2020

The Virginia Employment Commission provides unemployment insurance to citizens of Virginia who meet the eligibility requirements. As long as you meet the state's eligibility requirements, you can receive temporary financial assistance to help you get by while you look for a new job. After submitting your application for unemployment benefits, you probably will want to be able to check the status of the application. Remember, though, that there are three steps to getting unemployment benefits in Virginia. After filing the initial claim, you have to register for work and then file for weekly benefits, so there is no point in checking until you have completed the entire process. You should also remember that after you have met all of the requirements, you still have to go a through a one week, unpaid waiting period before you can start collecting your unemployment benefits.

Requirements for Receiving Unemployment Benefits in Virginia

  • You must have become unemployed through no fault of your own, such as by having been laid off due to cost cutting, or because of a public health crisis.
  • Your previous employer must have been in Virginia.
  • You must be able to work
  • You can place no unreasonable restrictions on your availability for work.
  • You must be actively looking for work.
  • You must accept any suitable work offer you receive.
  • You must register with a VEC workforce center.
  • You must report to that VEC center when so directed.

Checking the Status of Your Claim

  1. Call the Virginia Employment Commission's Voice Response System at 1-800-897-5630.
  2. Listen to the menu selections.
  3. When prompted, select option 1, for "Claims and Benefits."
  4. When prompted, enter your Social Security Number.
  5. When prompted, enter your PIN.

Other Contact Options

Everyone's personal situation is unique, and you may run into something that is not covered by the Virginia Employment Commission's help pages. If you need help that the above instructions cannot provide, you can call the Virginia Employment Commission's central office at 1-866-832-2363. You can also try mailing them at:

P.O. Box 26441
Richmond, VA 23261-6441

Finally, you can locate your local Virginia Employment Commission office here and go in to talk to a representative in person.

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How Do I Check the Status of My Unemployment Claim with the Virginia Employment Commission?

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Virginia Employment Commission

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