Extended Benefits

The United States Congress has extended the current provisions of the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) Program through the end of 2013. Congress did not add any additional weeks of benefits for claimants who have exhausted all eligibility for EUC benefits. Vermont is currently only eligible to pay Tier 1 of EUC benefits consisting of a maximum extention of 14 weeks.

If you are collecting EUC, your benefits will continue from the point you were on as of December 30, 2012. Please continue to claim weekly benefits as previously instructed.

The Vermont Department of Labor is authorized to pay unemployment benefits under two active extended benefit programs. The first program Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) is 100% federally funded. It has four tiers, one of which Vermont currently qualifies for. Payment under each tier is allowed provided the individual is not qualified for Regular benefits. The following chart provides details on the current EUC Tiers:

Available Weeks

Trigger

Tier 1

Up to 14 weeks

none

Tier 2

Up to 14 weeks

TUR > 6.0% or IUR > 4.0%

Tier 3

Up to 13 weeks

TUR > 6.0% or IUR > 4.0%

Tier 4

Up to 6 weeks

TUR > 8.5% or IUR > 6.0%

The second extended program in Vermont is the State Extended Benefit (EB) program. Vermont’s recent EB period was March 22, 2009 through July 10, 2010. The EB program provided up to 13 weeks of additional benefits for those individuals who exhausted all rights to Regular and EUC benefits.

With both programs (EUC and EB), the Vermont Department of Labor will notify individuals of ‘next steps’, as applicable. Those potentially eligible for EUC or EB benefits will be required to participate in an orientation hosted by our Regional Resource Centers. Given the duration of those receiving EUC or EB benefits, as well as the stricter requirements associated with the EB program, those filing for EUC and EB will be required to report details on where they looked for work during the week being claimed. Additional resources about the EB program are provided under “Related Links” on the right hand side of this web page.

In all cases, notices for both programs will be mailed with filing instructions. If a recipient’s mailing address changes, such change must be submitted in writing to enable proper notification.

Individuals who have already received their full regular and extended benefits entitlement will be mailed filing instructions if/when additional benefits become available. Information about future extensions (if/when available) will be posted on this web page.

Press Releases regarding both programs are available.

Last updated: 01/03/12