Unemployment Benefits Eligibility

General Benefits Eligibility Criteria

To receive unemployment benefits in Vermont, you need to pass a series of eligibility and qualification criteria. These criteria are set in place so that only people who truly qualify receive benefits.

This also helps keep unemployment insurance properly funded by avoiding excessive payment. Gauging your eligibility criteria is simple, requiring just a few basic steps.

Work Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for Vermont unemployment benefits, the following Vermont unemployment benefits eligibility criteria must be passed:

• Lost a job through no cause of their own
• Did not quit their job without a good cause
• Were not fired for misconduct – may not receive benefits from between 6-15 weeks
• Received no separation pay – a reduction of benefits is likely to occur
• Continually searches for work and makes at least three contacts a week
• Reports wages properly
• Is available and able to work

After passing these criteria, your wages will be gauged to see if you qualify. A determination notice will be mailed to you, indicating your success or failure.

http://labor.vermont.gov/unemployment-insurance/unemployed/claims-intake-eligibility-claims-filing/

Wages Eligibility Criteria

You need to have made at least $2,501 in your highest paid quarter of the base period and earned at least 40 percent of what you earned during that quarter in your other three quarters.

EXAMPLE: If you earned $3,000 in your highest paying quarter, you would need to make at least $1,200 in your other three quarters to qualify.

Unemployment Availability Limits

Currently, Vermont residents can receive up to 26 weeks of unemployment benefits.. Their benefits are canceled if they refuse full-time work, fail to seek appropriate work, or are unable or unavailable to work.

For those who accept part-time jobs, their benefits will be decreased on a dollar-by-dollar basis for any wages over 50 percent of their benefit payment. However, if their wages exceed their benefits or they work more than 35 hours, their benefits will be canceled:

EXAMPLE: If your benefit amount is $400, you can earn up to $200 without losing benefits. However, any amount from $201-$400 would be decreased from your benefit by the dollar.

Wages of $400 would cut $199 from your benefit amount, but earning $401 would automatically cancel your benefits for the week.

http://labor.vermont.gov/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/B-11-Claimant-Handbook.pdf

Unemployment Extensions

Vermont received Emergency Unemployment Compensation extension until December 28, 2013. After this date, the state no longer received extended benefits. However, if you qualify under the Trade Readjustment Allowances, you can receive extended benefits.

This federal act has been approved in Vermont, and it allows you to receive extra weeks while you train for a new position or career. It can help you pay for relocation and living expenses, but cannot be used to pay for your classes.

http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/unemploy/tra.asp

http://labor.vermont.gov/unemployment-insurance/federal-extended-benefits-euc-faqs/