Vermont Unemployment Benefits

The Vermont Unemployment Insurance (UI) program provides temporary replacement of lost wages to those who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. The program is handled by the Vermont Department Of Labor and is funded by employers in the form of UI taxes. Read through the page to know more about the Unemployment Insurance in Vermont.

Eligibility To Apply For UI Benefits In Vermont

An applicant must meet monetary and job separation eligibility requirements to qualify for unemployment benefits in Vermont.

Monetary Eligibility

To be monetarily eligible for Vermont unemployment benefits, an applicant must:

• Have earned minimum wages as determined by Vermont guidelines in his or her highest quarter of the base period, and the remaining quarters must equal or exceed 40% of the highest quarter of the base period
• Have worked for the last 12 months in Vermont

Vermont law provides four methods to determine a base period:
Method I – First four of the last five completed calendar quarters preceding an unemployment claim’s effective date.
Method II – Last four completed calendar quarters preceding the effective date of an unemployment claim.
Method III – Last three completed calendar quarters and the current quarter, using wages paid up to the effective date of an unemployment claim.
Method IV – This approach is used only if the applicant has opened a new claim for unemployment benefits within six months of the date of the end of the temporary Workers’ Compensation payments. In this method, the base period is adjusted such that the wages that would have been available to the applicant at the time of injury are available when filed for the UI program.

Job Separation

An applicant must not have lost his or her job due to any of the following reasons:

• Was fired or quit his job due to a lack of interest in workplace
• Was fired due to misconduct at the workplace
• Was fired due to criminal charges
• Was fired as he or she failed in alcohol and drug test
• Quit the job due to reasons that are not considered as good-cause
• Was fired as he or she was caught damaging property at the workplace
• Was fired as he or she did not adhere to the organization policies

Eligibility requirements – overview

Maintaining Eligibility

After meeting the job separation and monetary requirements, the applicant must maintain the eligibility to receive unemployment benefits without any difficulty. The eligibility can be maintained in the following ways:

• The applicant must be able to and available for work
• The applicant must actively look for a job
• The applicant must accept a suitable job offer
• The applicant must document all the work search activities

Find out on job search requirements

How To Apply For UI Benefits In Vermont?

An applicant must submit the following documents to receive Vermont unemployment benefits:

An applicant can file for unemployment benefits in Vermont using two methods: online or by telephone.

Online

This is one of the fastest and easiest ways to apply for unemployment benefits. To apply online, visit www.labor.vermont.gov.

Telephone

The applicant can also apply by calling
1-877-214-3330 or 1-888-807-7072 Monday through Friday between 8:15 a.m. and 6 p.m. or Saturday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

How To File Weekly Claims?

The applicant must file weekly claims for each week he or she wishes to receive benefits. The weekly claim can be filed online or by telephone.

• If the initial claim was filed between Monday to Thursday, the applicant must file his or her first weekly unemployment claim the following Sunday or any day after that, up to Friday at 4 p.m.
• If the initial claim was filed Friday or Saturday, the applicant must file his or her first weekly unemployment claim the following Tuesday or any day after that, up to Friday at 4 p.m.
• If the initial claim was filed on Sunday, the applicant must file his or her first weekly unemployment claim the next Sunday or any day after that, up to Friday at 4 p.m.

Learn how to claim weekly benefits

UI Benefits Amount

The weekly benefits amount in Vermont is based on the applicant’s gross wages. The weekly benefits amount is calculated by adding the two highest quarters’ wages in the base period and dividing by 45. The resulting amount is rounded to the next whole dollar.

Know more about the Benefits Calculator

Things To Know After Filing An Application

There are a few aspects a claimant must know applying for Vermont unemployment benefits.

Overpayments

Applicants may receive unemployment overpayments due to reversal of previous awards, administrative errors, or wilful misinterpretation. The overpaid amount must be paid back to the Vermont Department Of Labor, failing to which DOL will deduct the amount from future benefits, withhold lottery winnings or federal income tax returns and recover the amount.

Overpayment Through Fraud

If a claimant receives overpayments due to wilful misinterpretation or false statement, he or she will be required to pay the penalty and will be disqualified from receiving benefits for a few weeks. In some situations, the Department may also file a criminal case against the claimant.

Benefits Extension

Normally, claimants can collect benefits for up to 26 weeks. The state provides extended benefits when the unemployment rate is too high. Visit DOL to know more about the extended benefits.

Job Training Assistance

The Vermont Department of Labor operates the Workforce Development Division (commonly known as Career Resource Centers (CRC)). This job center helps job seekers to find a suitable job and advance in their careers. Some of the programs by the Workforce Development Division include:
Individual Career Advancement Network (ICAN)– This program offers the following services:

• Conduct job searches
• Enhance your job finding skills
• Gain new job skills & work experience
• Connect to employers who are hiring
• Overcome barriers keeping you from work
• Learn how to achieve industry certifications

Vermont Youth Employment– This program offers training and helps with the job search to those aged 16 to 24.
New Virtual Workshops And Events – Job seekers can join theweekly virtual events, including #Hiring2DayVT Virtual Job Fairs, workshops, and other events.

Know more job training opportunities in VT