Unemployment Benefits Estimator — Virginia

Unemployment Benefits Estimator in Virginia

Virginia reads your weekly amount off a statutory benefit table using your combined earnings in the two highest base-period quarters: about $3,000 is enough to qualify and produces the $160 minimum, while $18,900.01 or more is required for the $478 maximum. Duration comes off the same table through a weighted schedule comparing base-period wages to those two quarters, producing an entitlement between 12 and 26 weeks. One unpaid waiting week applies. Because the current figures apply to claims filed on or after July 5, 2026, do not assume they describe a claim you already have — your monetary determination letter shows the rate your claim was set at. Virginia SNAP uses broad-based categorical eligibility at 200% FPL. File at https://vec.virginia.gov/

Unemployment Benefits in Virginia: Weekly Amounts and How Long They Last

Virginia pays a weekly unemployment benefit of between $160 and $478. Those are the statutory floor and ceiling, not an estimate of what you personally would receive: your weekly benefit amount is calculated from the wages in your base period, and the maximum is reached only if those wages were high enough. Virginia computes it this way — Weekly benefit amount is read from the statutory benefit table using combined earnings in the two highest quarters of the base period. Combined two-quarter earnings of at least $18,900.01 are required for the $478 maximum; at least $3,000 is required to qualify at all, which produces the $160 minimum.

These amounts apply to claims filed on or after July 5, 2026. Virginia did not apply them retroactively to claims that were already open. If your claim began before July 5, 2026, it keeps the weekly benefit amount that was in force on the day you filed, for the life of that claim — so do not assume the figures above describe a claim you already have. Your monetary determination letter shows the rate your claim was actually set at.

• Weekly benefit range: $160 to $478
• Weeks payable: up to 26 weeks; the payable range runs 12 to 26 weeks, because lower base-period earnings exhaust a claim sooner
• Waiting week: yes — the first otherwise-payable week is unpaid, and you generally still have to file a weekly claim for it
• In effect since: July 5, 2026

How Virginia decides how many weeks you get: Duration is set by a weighted schedule in the statutory benefit table: the ratio of base-period wages to the two highest quarters determines entitlement from 12 to 26 weeks.

Source and date: these Virginia figures were verified on August 2, 2026 against Virginia Employment Commission, 'Benefits Information', and VEC Benefit Table (bentable.pdf); VEC news release 'Virginia Unemployment Benefits Increasing in July' (June 25, 2026), and are the amounts that agency shows as in effect since July 5, 2026. Benefit amounts and durations change — many states re-index once a year, and some change duration as the state unemployment rate moves — so check the agency link before relying on a figure. Only your monetary determination letter states your own weekly benefit amount and the number of weeks you can actually be paid.

SNAP Benefits in Virginia

Virginia uses Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE), with a gross income limit of 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. The maximum monthly SNAP benefit for a household of 4 in Virginia is $975. You can apply online at https://dss.virginia.gov/ or by calling 211.

Medicaid in Virginia

Virginia has expanded Medicaid under the ACA (State Medicaid). Adults earning up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level ($22,025/year for an individual) are eligible. Apply at https://coverva.org/.

Virginia Wage Information

The minimum wage in Virginia is $12.77/hour ($7.41/hour for tipped workers). The median household income is $85,873. Virginia has a state income tax with a top rate of 5.75%.

Tenant Rights in Virginia

Virginia requires landlords to give 14 days notice for nonpayment of rent before filing for eviction. The typical eviction process takes approximately 30 days. Free legal aid is available at https://www.valegalaid.org/.

Rent in Virginia

The median rent in Virginia is approximately $1,900/month for a 1-bedroom and $2,300/month for a 2-bedroom apartment. Virginia does not have rent control.

Important Notes for Virginia Residents

The data shown above is based on publicly available information and is updated regularly. Benefit amounts, eligibility rules, and legal requirements can change. Always verify current information with your local Virginia agencies before making important decisions. This calculator provides estimates — not guaranteed outcomes.