Virginia Employment Commission [VEC]
reviews and complaints

I filed for unemployment benefits on September 18, 2023. Since that time, I have been asked to fill out paperwork and a medical statement. I submitted all my office visit notes from my provider. Afterwards, I was told by a representative that there were a few things holding my benefits up. I then called back the following week to have the same thing repeated to me with no updates and was told that my claim would be escalated. I received a callback last week and was told that all issues were resolved and waiting on the deputy. I just called Tues, Oct 30, 2023, and was told that my banking information was not correct and that was the only thing holding me up. So I fixed that as well. The callback I received today, I was verified and then the call was disconnected. I will be 7 weeks in without any updates on unemployment and no benefits received thus far. If this is not resolved by the beginning of next week, I will be seeking legal representation!

We need to file another class action suit against them. Because someone stole my identity during COVID I was unable to receive benefits when I actually needed them. It’s going on 3 years ajdnst Ok did not recover what is owed to me nor have I been able to actually speak to a human for help. I also can’t log into their website because of being unable to authenticate my digital identity. This government agency is horrible. I’ve dealt with pa unemployment and it was so smooth and easy. VEC is a mess and it’ should be illegal the mental stress and anguish they creat.

I have tried to call VEC at [protected] for 6 weeks, due to my password expiring. When I try to log on to the website, it gives me an error that says "Your account has been locked. Please contact the Customer Contact Center at [protected]".

I have called every day for the past 6 weeks. All I get is an automated message saying "Our call volume is high, we will contact you within 2 business days. It has been 6 weeks. VEC has not given me a single phone call back.

I just need to unlock my account, so I can change the expired password.

I am unable to access the system as it constantly tells me "We are not able to authenticate your digital identity based on the information you provided or the device you are using. As a result, please call the Customer Contact Center at [protected] for further assistance." However, I am also unable to get through to any assistance and get hung up on. This system is horrendous and the organization is probably one of the worse I've had to encounter.

I have set up an account, and now I am required to change my password. But the system says it can't verify me from the (correct) information I enter to reset my password. And on the rare occasion I am able to get through to a customer service representative, they tell me they will forward my request to the IT help desk - AND NOTHING HAPPENS! STILL LOCKED OUT! What an incompetent, dysfunctional IT department!

Your central office hangs up every single time no matter what option. My account is locked. No one can help me. What the [censored] are we supposed to do why you useless pieces of [censored] lose 2,000,000,000 dollars to fraud and you can't even have one [censored]ing person on the line to service anyone!?!? and you wonder why mass shootings happen. If anyone deserves it it's [censored]ing y'all.

I am trying to file a new claim with the Virginia Employment Commission for unemployment. It has been years since I last filed a claim; hence I cannot remember my USER NAME and PASSWORD. I tried to get into my account and was locked out. I got a message to call the VEC at [protected]. It keeps telling me to call the next business day. I should either be allowed to be put on hold and wait for someone to answer or I should be given a prompt that would allow me to make a phone appointment or an option to give my phone number so that the VEC can call me. I have no idea if I call tomorrow if I will get the same message to call on the next business day. I should be able to file my claim today and not have to go through this rigamarole.

I have been receiving UE since 01/01/2023. I have filed over 100 job applications; I have filed my weekly searches. I have done everything I was supposed to. I was hired for a job in May to start in the middle of June. The start date got pushed back until July 1st. I was approved for Work Search Waiver Approval on 05/15/23 and when it got pushed back, I was approved for the waiver again on 06/02/23. I was then sent an email from my employer that they rescinded my offer. I contacted VEC told them what happened and uploaded the email that I was sent. I called at 8:01 am Tuesday, 06/06/23 (the date I usually get my payment) was on hold, the recording said I had a 3-minute wait then I got a recording that said I would be contacted within 48 hours. Well, they called 2 days later at 5:30 (after hours) so I didn't pick up. they left a message, and I couldn't call back because they were closed. I called back the next day and the same thing happened. I went down to the local office and was told that we don't do anything like that here, and I would just have to wait. I was finally able to get through several days later. I was told they have to investigate the rescinded offer and did not pay me for the week ending 06/03/23. This is the 4th week I haven't received a payment. When I call to ask a question, I was told that's just the way it works, sorry for the inconvenience. When I asked to speak to someone that could tell me more information I was refused (4 times) to speak to someone else. "What are they going to tell you that I already have." I was then put on hold for 20 minutes and then the call was conveniently cut off. I have called [protected] and [protected] today at 10:30 am, 10:45 am and 10:55 am, and I choose to speak to someone, and it says call back on the next business day. And hangs up on me. Because NOT ONE PERSON told me to that my payments would stop, I cannot pay my bills, electricity, water etc. Like many others I have children to feed as well and do not qualify for any public assistance. I am so sick of hearing "sorry for the inconvenience, that's just the way it works." This is a very frightening experience. And to have several workers (not all of them) be so coldhearted and treat me like a dog because I don't know this system and how it works, and I just want to know what's going on and when I can tell these bill collectors when I can pay them. I have never gotten through when I call, I always have to wait at least 24 hours and sometimes (2x's) I never get a call back. I just want to know what's going on. I worked at the same company for 10 years and left to do contract work for the State of Virginia. When I asked why I only get 6 - 7 months of benefits I was told, "because that's what they deemed you eligible for" This not an acceptable reason to tell someone. The VEC is a TRAVISTY.

All I want is to file a unemployment claim.

I access the site it ask for an IVR number, I have no idea what that is.

I see a message that I can enter a claim and speak to an agent if I call the 866 phone number. LIES!

I have tried no less than six times to access a representative by listening to the option and selecting accordingly to no avail.

I then called and just tried every possible number combination and still did not reach a representative!

How am I to make any claims this way?

I filed for unemployment back in March and i received my pay twice, now its the second week in June and my funds were held uo in march due to questions about a emaik address becausw it showed 2, i called in and verified both were mines and corrected it and here 14 week and i have not gotten a single check in 12 weeks of the 14 ive filed. I get excuses that its been escalated to pay out due fo the overage amount and thats been the last dam 11 weeks and nothing. I mean something needs to be done with turnaround times. People are sinking and thhere is no one or nothing u can do. When you call it say call back within 2 business days.