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The Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) administers the unemployment insurance program that provides temporary financial assistance to individuals who become unemployed through no fault of their own.  You have received this correspondence because you have filed a claim for unemployment benefits in Virginia. This information summarizes your rights and responsibilities while filing for unemployment insurance benefits and will help you avoid problems, delays, or improper payments on your claim.   This correspondence does not take the place of the Virginia Unemployment Compensation Law. Your responsibility for meeting the Virginia unemployment compensation benefit requirements begins when your claim is filed. Each claim is different, and you should not depend on information from your employer, friends, family, or co-workers. You should always consult the VEC if you have any questions regarding your unemployment claim.

Confidentiality of Records

Your social security number is required to file an unemployment claim. The VEC has an agreement with various state and federal agencies to share data. Please be advised that when you file your claim for unemployment benefits, we may request information from other agencies as well as share common data we have on file. Furthermore, your name, social security number, and date of birth will be verified with the Social Security Administration and the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles to authenticate your identity.

Online Account

The VEC encourages all claimants to create an online account using the Virginia Unemployment Insurance System at https://uidirect.vec.virginia.gov/CSS/CSSLogon.htm.  You can retrieve correspondence sent to you, complete requested information, view payment history, change your address or contact information, as well as other services, at this online account.

Work Search Requirements

Information is contained in this text which provides general information about Work Search Requirements.  When an initial or additional claim is submitted, the correspondence “Unemployment Benefits Rights and Responsibilities” is mailed to each claimant containing information specific to the type of claim filed.  You can also view this document by accessing it in your CSS account.

The Virginia Unemployment Compensation Act provides, in part, that an unemployed individual shall be eligible to receive benefits or credit for the waiting period week, with respect to any week that an individual is able, available, and actively seeking suitable employment at a pay rate generally available in their area of the state in keeping with his/her work experience, education or training. You received specific work search instructions at the time you filed your unemployment claim and are required to keep a record of the contacts you make with employers. You must diligently search for work by making a minimum of two job contacts per week in an attempt to secure employment.  You must search for work each week beginning with the first week you establish your unemployment claim.

• Work search contacts must be made within the week for which benefits are being claimed.
• You must contact a minimum of two different employers each week to meet the minimum work search requirement.
• In-person and telephone contacts should be made with an individual in the company who has hiring authority.
• Job contacts should be for work you are willing and qualified to perform, pay that you are willing to accept, and in the area that you are willing to work.
• Job contacts cannot be repeated with the same employer unless you are applying for different job openings with that employer. 
• All work search contacts are subject to verification.  Your claim may be selected for an audit.
• Failure to make the required number of work searches each week could result in a denial of benefits and possible overpayment.
• It is your responsibility to submit your written job contacts to the VEC.
  • Online weekly claim filers will submit this information as each weekly claim is filed.
  • Telephone weekly claim filers will submit basic information by phone and then detailed written information every four weeks using the Work Search Record form provided to you by the VEC. Retain your work search records for at least one year following your benefit year begin date.
• Union members who obtain work through a hiring hall, approved by the VEC, must contact the hiring hall each week. If you do not have an approved hiring hall, you must make a minimum of two job contacts each week with different employers.
• If you file an unemployment insurance claim and do not live in Virginia, you will be required to register for employment with the state in which you reside. (If you are a member of a trade or labor union or if you are on a temporary layoff with a definite return to work date within six (6) weeks of your last day of work, you may be exempt from registering for employment with your state of residence.)

Non-Monetary Decision

When you file an unemployment claim, an Employers Report of Separation & Wage Information will be mailed to your last 30 day/240 hour and any subsequent employer(s) requesting information regarding why you are no longer employed by them. The VEC will review all information surrounding your separation and if there are conflicting statements, both parties may be contacted by mail, telephone, or email to gather additional information. It is important that you provide this information because it will be used in determining your eligibility for benefits. Failure to respond to any request for additional information may result in a denial of benefits. Based on the facts presented, the VEC will apply state laws and issue a non-monetary decision. This will be mailed to the interested parties. If either party disagrees with the decision they have the right to appeal. The appeal rights are explained on the decision. The decision must be appealed within thirty (30) calendar days of the mailing date.

Filing Weekly Claims for Benefits

You may file your weekly claim for benefits online or by telephone. You must file weekly claims in order to receive benefits. A week begins on Sunday at 12:01 a.m. and ends on Saturday at midnight. You cannot file a weekly claim until after the week is over. You should file your weekly claim on Sunday for the previous week. If you file your weekly claim for benefits twenty-one (21) or more calendar days after the week has ended, it will be considered as untimely and in most cases will not be paid.

Attending School or a Training Program

Make sure you report any classes you are taking during weeks claimed. You may receive benefits while attending school depending upon the course of study and the required attendance each week. If you wish to attend school or a training program to improve your employment possibilities, you need to request approval in advance from the VEC.

Approved Training

When you lose your job, you may be recommended for possible training or education. Your work skills and experience will be evaluated to match current job openings in your field. If training or schooling is recommended and it meets requirements outlined in Virginia law, it could be considered approved training. You should contact your local Workforce Center for information regarding approved training.

Double Dip Claim

If you received benefits during a prior Benefit Year and have NOT performed services for 30 additional days or 240 hours for at least one covered employer since the beginning of the prior Benefit Year, you may monetarily qualify for a new Benefit Year, but you will not be eligible to be paid for those benefits. You must have 30 additional days or 240 hours of covered employment and be subsequently unemployed through no fault of your own to be eligible to be paid.

Trade Claim

Federal Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) pays benefits to workers who lose their jobs or their working hours are reduced as a result of increased imports. If you worked for an adversely affected employer that has been impacted by foreign trade, you will receive notification of potential eligibility for the program.

Reemployment Services

Local Workforce Centers provide services which include referrals to job search assistance and job placement services such as counseling, testing, assessment, job search workshops, orientation, referrals to employers, or other reemployment services. All unemployment claims are screened to determine those most likely needing reemployment services to return to the workforce. The selection criteria has been established utilizing federal guidelines. If you are selected to participate in a reemployment program and cannot attend, you must contact the local Workforce Center to reschedule. Failure to participate as instructed will result in a loss of benefits.

Refusing a Job Offer or VEC Referral

If you refuse a job offer, you will be contacted by the VEC to provide additional information. The VEC then will determine if the work was suitable, and if so whether you had good cause to refuse the job offer. If the job was suitable and you did not have good cause to refuse it, you may be denied benefits beginning with the Sunday of the week in which such refusal occurred. If you fail, without good cause, to apply for suitable work when referred by the VEC, you may be denied benefits starting with the Sunday of the week in which the refusal occurred. The VEC determines whether the referral was for suitable work.

You are required to notify the VEC if you:

• refused a job referral from the VEC
• refused a job offer
• are self-employed or working on commission, even if you are not being paid
• are enrolled in or plan to enroll in school or training
• for any reason are not able and available to seek and accept employment
• change your address or telephone number. VEC mail will NOT be forwarded
• make an error while filing your weekly claim
• receive correspondence requesting you to contact a VEC representative
• need instructions on how to continue filing for benefits if you move to another state