Virginia Employment Commission Customer Service Issues

I work at Chesterfield Public Schools and recently received a Monetary Determination letter from VEC on Aug. 7. I have not filed for unemployment since I am under contract. The letter indicates I will receive an extra $[redacted] per week under the CARES Act [redacted], from 4/4/20 to 7/25/20. Given my history of identity theft issues, I am uneasy about this letter. Please request further information if needed to assist me. - Wendy B. Collins

My name is Janet B. I applied for Unemployment in March [redacted] after losing my job. After being denied initially, I received a request to appeal. Despite receiving PIN numbers and filing weekly on Gov2go, my claim shows a $0 balance. In July, I got a letter stating approval for benefits, but my claim still shows as unavailable. Despite numerous attempts to contact the office via email, phone, and fax, I have received no response since March. With the new round of unemployment coming, I am at a loss for what steps to take next.

I am experiencing an issue with filing my weekly PUA certification for unemployment benefits. Yesterday, when attempting to file for the week ending Aug 8, I received a message stating that I have been suspended for filing after entering my PIN number twice. I am certain that I have not reached my maximum benefit amount and still qualify for payment for additional weeks as I am still unemployed due to COVID-19. I need assistance in resolving this issue and guidance on how to proceed with filing before the deadline on Aug 15. My husband, S.Y. Moy, also uses the same email and password for his PUA account, although with a different User Name. He recently applied for PEUC using our shared credentials, and I am unsure if this may be causing conflicts with my weekly benefit filing. Any help would be appreciated.

Hello, I am Cheryl A. Mahon, and I need some help with an ongoing issue. I want to express my gratitude for your hard work during these challenging times. After facing unemployment last year, I received benefits until early this year. Upon applying under the CARES Act, I was approved by VEC, and I proceeded to file my weekly claims. Unfortunately, I have not received any payments yet. Despite attempting to call the provided number, I have been unable to reach anyone as all representatives seem to be occupied. Thank you for your support in these trying times. Best regards, Cheryl A. Mahon

My name is Dorothy V. Allen and I have been attempting to resolve my unemployment claim filed in April. Although deemed eligible, I have not received any payments. Despite filing weekly and actively seeking employment, my claim is now labeled as ineligible without explanation. Despite reaching out via email and phone, I remain in the dark. At 84, my former employer refused my return, citing age as the reason. I diligently served them for 6 years with impeccable attendance. I am eager to understand the issue affecting my benefits as I uphold my responsibilities as a taxpayer. Any assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Dorothy V. Allen.

I have been struggling to reach the unemployment office for the past 3 months. My unemployment ID number is [redacted]. I initially got denied benefits on 5/14/20 due to not meeting the earnings requirement, but on 5/17/20, I was approved based on the alternative method earnings test. On 6/5/20, there was a decision to adjust my earnings. However, on 6/1/20, I received a decision denying me any money. I filed an appeal online before the due date on June 30, [redacted], but I have not heard back. The only correspondence I received was a demand letter asking me to repay $4,[redacted], which I believe I do not owe. I'm having difficulties getting in touch with anyone as calls are not being returned, and messages cannot be left. I no longer reside in Virginia as of June [redacted], but I used my former address to ensure this email was read.

I applied for unemployment on August 19 after my employer terminated me without prior warnings, citing work complaints. I had requested to work from home due to my son attending virtual school but was let go during the meeting on August 17. I haven't heard anything about my claim status. The automated system mentions an outstanding issue. Despite contacting customer service, the local office, and using the website, there's been no response. I'm urgently trying to resolve this as my rent and utilities are due soon. The situation is critical.

In March [redacted], I, Lakeisha A Moiczek, started receiving unemployment benefits due to limited work hours. Although my hours have slightly increased, I'm still not working full time. Recently, I received additional benefits through the PEUC Program, but I suspect an error. The weekly claim question about my employment status changed, which led me to mark "no" since I hadn't returned to full-time work. I'm concerned I may have mistakenly provided incorrect information on my recent application, causing confusion at the VEC. I urgently need to contact someone at VEC to address this issue promptly. I want to clarify that I am currently employed, albeit not full-time, and hope to continue receiving benefits. Thank you for your assistance.

I am seeking assistance as I have been facing issues with my unemployment benefits. I lost my job in March due to the pandemic, and received benefits until the start of June. However, the payments suddenly stopped without any explanation. I contacted the unemployment office, but they couldn't find any anomalies in my account. Despite numerous calls to customer service since June, my problem remains unresolved. I returned to work in August, but the financial strain of missing payments from June to August is significant. Your prompt support in resolving this matter would be highly valued. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Around 8/25/[redacted], I received notice from the Virginia Employment Commission that my unemployment application is processed. Despite filing weekly claims, I haven't received benefits or a rejection notification. Contacting customer service by phone has been unsuccessful, and the automated system mentions a problem with my claim without specifics. I'm unsure whether to keep filing weekly claims. While I acknowledge delays due to COVID-19, a two-month wait is concerning. I would appreciate your assistance in resolving this matter. Thank you.

I recently applied for unemployment benefits and successfully claimed my weeks. However, upon completing the claims process, I received a message indicating that my claim could not be accepted due to an outstanding issue. Despite numerous attempts to resolve this by calling, my balance remained unchanged. After engaging in a text chat with a helpful agent who assured me the issue was fixed, I was advised to simply go online and claim my weeks again. Regrettably, the problem persists, leaving me without any funds to cover my rent. This uncertainty is causing significant distress, as essential payments are at risk. I urge for prompt resolution so I can fulfill my financial obligations without further delay.

I recently received a letter from the VEC asking for details about my last job. The issue is my benefits were ceased due to my former employer, Reliance Temporary Staffing, falsely claiming I refused work. My employment at Canon on Canon Blvd through Reliance ended abruptly when a representative met me at the gate on my last day and took back my badge and shoes, alleging I didn't pass probation. I've submitted the required forms to Unemployment and had a phone conversation confirming receipt, but it's been two months with no resolution. I've been diligently calling for benefits despite not refusing work; I was dismissed by Canon, not Reliance, which is a temporary agency. I urge a review of my case as I urgently need my benefits. I've completed and returned all necessary paperwork, hoping for a swift resolution among the many similar requests. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

I have been attempting to contact the number [redacted] consistently, around 10-15 times daily for several months. However, every time I wait for about 5-6 minutes, the call disconnects with a message to try again later. This situation has been going on since August. I possess a pin number and a letter from VEC regarding a Monetary determination also from August. Following my layoff in Virginia due to Covid, I am currently residing in Maryland with my parents. Unfortunately, I am unable to address this issue online due to my Maryland location as the system does not allow me to proceed. I would greatly appreciate any assistance you can provide. Thank you.

Hello, my name is Jay DeJesus. I recently received a letter from the VEC, dated 11/16/[redacted], stating that I hadn't claimed the poll working I did for the City of Virginia Beach on 11/03/[redacted]. I was under the impression this was a one-day event for which I would receive compensation in about 5 to 6 weeks. I had not been informed or given any paperwork about being added to the city's payroll as a new employee. I have reached out to the VB city accounting manager's office to have them contact the VEC and clarify this matter since I lack any documentation regarding it. I will be reporting that income when I file, but I hope to avoid losing my weekly benefits over this misunderstanding. Please reach out to me promptly at [redacted]. Thank you, Jay.

I have been facing numerous issues since the beginning of my unemployment. I lost my job on April 15, filed in July, and was approved for retro pay starting from April. Despite receiving one payment initially, I am supposed to receive $[redacted] weekly, I have missed several payments. When I spoke to a live representative, they were unaware of my absence in the system. The app, GoToGov, is not allowing me to file my claims correctly. I have lost nearly everything I owned. When I called 1-[redacted], they couldn't find my claim. The number 1-[redacted] is not connecting me to a live person. While I can sometimes file my weekly claims, I can't get any information about my unemployment status through any of the apps. My friends who filed in July received all their back pay, but I am struggling to get mine. I have dedicated over [redacted] hours trying to resolve this matter.

Back in July, my claim was approved, and nearly $12,[redacted] was deposited onto a NetSpend card. Due to issues with NetSpend, the money was refunded to VEC. After finally managing to update my address and obtain a new PIN, I was able to speak to someone. I updated my direct deposit information, but VEC is struggling to locate the checks. They mentioned reissuing them once found. Unfortunately, nothing has happened in two weeks. I called back and provided a trace number from NetSpend to assist in locating the checks. Can you assist me in receiving my funds? I am facing the possibility of being homeless, and I have not received any money yet. Thank you.

I lost my job on April 15th and had trouble filing for unemployment until July when I finally got approved for $[redacted] a week retroactive to April 15th. However, I only received one payment of $[redacted]. I noticed my friends received their retroactive pay, so I am confused about why I didn't get mine. Despite trying to file weekly, I keep facing issues. I filled out everything on the gov app, but it won't let me submit my weekly claims. When I check my account, it says I don't have a claim. This situation has caused me a lot of stress, and I'm struggling to get answers. My name is Tina Lake.

After declining work from another state and informing your office via the weekly phone file recording, I was informed that only offers from employees in Virginia were to be considered. Previously, I was not aware of this requirement and would not have indicated my availability and declined the work. I am a substitute teacher who was offered a job as a caddie in Springfield, MO for a professional golf tournament. As the offer was from out of state, I believe I am entitled to at least two more weeks of unemployment benefits and Cares Act benefits. Thank you for your assistance in securing these payments.

I am Christine Paternite. I am inquiring about my missing $[redacted] that was supposedly returned due to an account name discrepancy. I have not received these benefits and have been attempting to contact customer service for two months without success. I urgently require assistance to resolve this matter. Please contact me promptly to investigate where the funds were redirected, as they were not received by me. You can reach me at [redacted]. I appreciate your prompt attention to this issue. Thank you.

I was furloughed on November 17th, [redacted] and my earnings exceeded the benefit amount for 5 weeks before my job closed the following week. Since then, I've missed out on 2 weeks of unemployment compensation. Despite reapplying, I only received payment for one week without any back pay. When I initially lost my job, I tried contacting the helpline to no avail. The issues arose from my earnings surpassing the limit for consecutive weeks, which led to my reapplication process taking 2 weeks of persistent calling to resolve. Although the agents mentioned they were unable to assist with backdating, recommending I contact customer service, my efforts to reach them have been unsuccessful. I am seeking guidance on resolving this situation and retrieving the owed compensation.