Virginia Raises Weekly Unemployment Benefits to $478, Lifting Minimum to $160 for New Claims
Updated
Updated · The Center Square · Jun 26
Virginia Raises Weekly Unemployment Benefits to $478, Lifting Minimum to $160 for New Claims
3 articles · Updated · The Center Square · Jun 26
Summary
July 5 marks the cutoff for higher Virginia unemployment payments, with only new claims filed on or after that date eligible for the new benefit schedule.
The law raises the maximum weekly benefit to $478 from $430 and the minimum to $160 from $112 after approval by the General Assembly and Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s April signature.
The Virginia Employment Commission said claims cannot be backdated and urged applicants to check the filing date carefully and use its online estimator before submitting.
$75.6 million in added annual trust-fund costs are projected under the increase, while employer unemployment taxes are expected to rise about $21.21 per employee a year.
Workers need at least $18,900.01 in combined earnings from two base-period quarters to qualify for the new $478 maximum, underscoring the law’s targeted reach.