Checked
Virginia Unemployment Benefits
Virginia paid an average of $421 a week in regular unemployment benefits in Sep 2026.
- Average weekly benefit
- $421
- Sep 2026
- A year earlier
- $356
- +18.3% change
- First payments
- 5,416
- People starting benefits in the month
- Paid in the last 12 months
- $377M
Average weekly benefit
Monthly, regular state program
Show as a table
| Period | Virginia |
|---|---|
| Sep 2026 | $421 |
| Dec 2025 | $356 |
| Dec 2024 | $348 |
| Dec 2023 | $351 |
| Dec 2022 | $351 |
| Dec 2021 | $363 |
| Dec 2020 | $275 |
| Dec 2019 | $315 |
| Dec 2018 | $307 |
| Dec 2017 | $304 |
| Dec 2016 | $300 |
| Dec 2015 | $296 |
Monthly activity
Initial claims, first payments, weeks paid and final payments (benefits exhausted)
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| Month | Initial claims | First payments | Weeks paid | Average weekly | Exhausted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2026 | 10,281 | 5,416 | 77,011 | $421 | 2,068 |
| Aug 2026 | 10,851 | 5,726 | 89,566 | $409 | 1,954 |
| Jul 2026 | 11,782 | 6,404 | 83,548 | $396 | 1,872 |
| Jun 2026 | 12,647 | 6,393 | 90,332 | $393 | 2,055 |
| May 2026 | 11,478 | 5,381 | 72,943 | $391 | 1,820 |
| Apr 2026 | 12,350 | 5,698 | 78,286 | $386 | 1,890 |
| Mar 2026 | 13,229 | 6,896 | 95,873 | $377 | 2,248 |
| Feb 2026 | 13,059 | 6,288 | 81,142 | $367 | 1,903 |
| Jan 2026 | 15,974 | 6,850 | 82,683 | $356 | 2,029 |
| Dec 2025 | 12,836 | 6,318 | 90,289 | $356 | 2,287 |
| Nov 2025 | 10,890 | 5,187 | 70,953 | $357 | 1,804 |
| Oct 2025 | 16,071 | 6,238 | 77,945 | $357 | 2,030 |
| Sep 2025 | 12,499 | 5,904 | 91,721 | $356 | 2,314 |
| Aug 2025 | 11,578 | 6,591 | 85,512 | $352 | 2,074 |
| Jul 2025 | 13,470 | 6,989 | 88,725 | $350 | 1,615 |
| Jun 2025 | 14,391 | 7,128 | 90,846 | $350 | 1,414 |
| May 2025 | 15,161 | 6,970 | 75,274 | $353 | 1,551 |
| Apr 2025 | 13,104 | 6,507 | 71,892 | $351 | 1,609 |
| Mar 2025 | 14,517 | 6,433 | 80,572 | $351 | 1,627 |
| Feb 2025 | 12,394 | 5,839 | 67,394 | $349 | 1,565 |
| Jan 2025 | 13,650 | 6,085 | 69,461 | $347 | 1,519 |
| Dec 2024 | 10,782 | 5,172 | 74,569 | $348 | 1,749 |
| Nov 2024 | 9,086 | 4,599 | 61,361 | $393 | 1,428 |
| Oct 2024 | 13,459 | 7,346 | 68,075 | $348 | 1,535 |
Frequently asked questions
- What is the average unemployment benefit in Virginia?
- Virginia paid an average of $421 per week of regular unemployment benefits in Sep 2026, according to the state's report to the U.S. Department of Labor.
- How do I apply for unemployment in Virginia?
- Apply with the Virginia state unemployment insurance agency. CareerOneStop, sponsored by the Department of Labor, lists each state's agency and website.