Virginia Unemployment Calculator
Estimate your Virginia weekly unemployment benefit, duration, and total payout. Virginia pays up to $430 a week for up to 26 weeks. This is an estimate, not a determination.
An estimate, not a determination.
This estimates your Virginia weekly unemployment benefit from your wages. The state agency makes the actual decision based on your full wage record and why your job ended. File your claim with Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) / Virginia Works to get your real amount.
More exact? Enter your highest-paid quarter
Most states base your benefit on your highest-earning quarter of the base period (the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters). Enter it for a closer estimate; leave blank to use your annual income.
Estimated Weekly Benefit
$430/week
≈ 43% of your weekly wage · Virginia · estimate only
You're at Virginia's $430 maximum.
Max Duration
26 weeks
Max Total Benefit
$11,180
Your wage is above Virginia's benefit cap, so you would receive the $430 maximum regardless of higher earnings.
Variable 12-26 weeks, determined by total base-period wages via the benefit table. The number of payable weeks is also tied to the statewide unemployment rate trigger (12 weeks in low-unemployment periods, up to 26 in higher-unemployment periods).
Virginia has a one-week unpaid waiting period before benefits begin.
This is an estimate, not a determination. The state agency calculates your actual benefit from your full base-period wage record, and eligibility also depends on why your job ended and your ongoing work search.
Your weekly benefit is based on your wages in the "base period" (usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters), replaced at roughly 52% up to Virginia's $430 maximum. Eligibility also depends on earning enough in the base period and on why your job ended (generally you must be out of work through no fault of your own). This is an estimate, not legal advice or a determination, and RecordingLaw.com is not a government agency.
How Virginia Calculates Your Weekly Benefit
WBA is set from the two highest quarters of base-period wages via the statutory benefit table (approximately the combined two highest quarters divided by 50), clamped to the state min/max. The table is the controlling authority.
The result is capped at Virginia's $430 maximum and floored at its $112 minimum (2026). You can collect for up to 26 weeks. Variable 12-26 weeks, determined by total base-period wages via the benefit table. The number of payable weeks is also tied to the statewide unemployment rate trigger (12 weeks in low-unemployment periods, up to 26 in higher-unemployment periods).
Source: Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) / Virginia Works.
Who Qualifies in Virginia
To draw benefits you generally must have earned enough during the base period (Standard: first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters. Alternate base period (last 4 completed quarters) available.), be unemployed through no fault of your own (laid off, not fired for misconduct and generally not quitting without good cause), and be able, available, and actively looking for work. At least $3,000 combined in the two highest base-period quarters. To reach the maximum WBA, the two highest quarters must total at least $18,900.01. Virginia also has a one-week unpaid waiting period before benefits begin.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is unemployment in Virginia?
Virginia pays roughly 52% of your average weekly wage, from a $112 minimum up to a $430 maximum per week (2026). Use the calculator above to estimate your amount from your wages.
How many weeks of unemployment can I get in Virginia?
Up to 26 weeks. Variable 12-26 weeks, determined by total base-period wages via the benefit table. The number of payable weeks is also tied to the statewide unemployment rate trigger (12 weeks in low-unemployment periods, up to 26 in higher-unemployment periods).
How is my Virginia weekly benefit calculated?
WBA is set from the two highest quarters of base-period wages via the statutory benefit table (approximately the combined two highest quarters divided by 50), clamped to the state min/max. The table is the controlling authority.
What is the maximum unemployment benefit in Virginia?
$430 per week in 2026. The maximum is set by the state and usually updated each year.
Is this calculator official?
No. It is a free estimate based on Virginia's published 2026 formula and caps. Your actual benefit is determined by Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) / Virginia Works from your complete wage record and the reason your job ended. It is not legal advice and RecordingLaw.com is not a government agency.
Disclaimer
This calculator is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice, a benefit determination, or a guarantee of eligibility. Unemployment formulas and maximums change (often annually); figures are current as of 2026-06-02. Only Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) / Virginia Works can determine your actual benefit and eligibility. RecordingLaw.com is not a government agency.