2021 Virginia Unemployment Poll

Publication date: January 18, 2022
Written by: Stefani Buhajla 

A majority of all voters support measures such as work search requirements (70%) and verifying whether those receiving benefits are truly looking for work (73%). There’s also overwhelming support for program integrity measures that will protect unemployment from fraud and abuse.

81%

of likely voters, including 71% of Democrat voters, support requiring the state to implement new website security measures to prevent unemployment agencies from being targeted with fraudulent applications.

80%

support requiring the state to verify an individual’s identity prior to approving their application for benefits.

Nearly three-quarters of all likely voters also support measures that would require weekly cross-checks of unemployment records against new hire records, death records, and prison rolls to ensure those receiving benefits are truly eligible.

VA UI poll