[June 14, 2024]
Due to an unexpected system outage, the Unemployment claimant assistance line is currently offline at this time. The call center is experiencing a very high call volume.
The Department is working to resolve this issue and will provide updates as they come.
We apologize for any inconvenience may cause and appreciate your understanding.
[June 13, 2024]
The UI Claimant Assistance center will be closed Thursday, June 13, 2024, for the entire day. Please plan accordingly.
Important Reminders:
The Claimant Assistance line will resume regular hours on Friday, June 14, 2024. Regular business hours are Monday - Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:00pm; Friday: 9:00 am - 4:00pm.
- Claimants can still access their weekly benefits through the claimant portal.
- To avoid long wait times, claimants are encouraged to call later in the week. If you need to contact the UI Claimant Assistance Center to file your weekly claim, you have until Friday at 4pm to file.
- Filing an initial claim later in the week to avoid high call volume will NOT impact your benefits or payment; you will not be penalized for a delay in opening a new claim.
We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.
For more information, including step-by-step video guides and other resources for claimants, go to Labor.Vermont.gov/Unemployment-Insurance.
[April 5, 2024]
Due to the winter storm and widespread power outages that occurred on Thursday, April 4, 2024, a subset of unemployment claimants may experience delays in receiving their Unemployment Insurance payments.
As of today, Friday, April 5, 2024, payments are being processed and will be sent out soon. If you reside in Vermont, you can anticipate receiving your payment by Saturday, April 6, 2024.
We apologize for any inconvenience this delay may cause and appreciate your understanding.
[March 15, 2024]
Improved Security for your Claimant Portal - myVermont
As part of our ongoing commitment to improving our services and protecting user information, the Vermont Department of Labor (VDOL), will be upgrading the login and credentialing system that provides claimant’s access to the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Claimant Portal.
User Experience:
- Beginning on March 18, 2024, claimants will no longer be able to access the UI Claimant Portal using their SSN and PIN and will need to set up a new username and password to log in and file their weekly claim.
- The new login system utilizes a service called myVermont to provide secure system access with multi-factor authentication (MFA).
- This platform is used by a number of other state agencies, including The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, The Vermont Department of Health, and The Vermont Department of Children and Families.
[February 15, 2024]
The Department has scheduled maintenance to our server beginning Thursday, February 15, 2024, at 5:30pm. During this time, Employers will not have access to the Employer Portal. The maintenance is scheduled to last for 6 hours. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
[February 12, 2024]
The Department has been made aware of technical difficulties accessing the claimant and employer portal. We are currently working to resolve the issue. Please try to access the portals again tomorrow.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
[January 30, 2024]
Experiencing a delay in receiving the 1099-G tax form?
As of Friday, January 26, 2024, The Department has mailed 1099-G tax forms. Please keep an eye on your mail over the next couple of weeks.
- Update your Mailing Address: If you updated your mailing address on file with the Department after December 31, 2023, you will likely see a delay in receiving your 1099-G. If your address has changed since you filed for benefits and you have not updated it in your Online Claimant Portal, you must submit a written change of address request to the Claims Center to have your 1099-G mailed to your new address. Tax documents are not forwarded by the Postal Service. Click here to complete a Change-of-Address form (B-2) and submit it to the Department.
[January 29, 2024]
As of Friday, January 26, 2024, The Department has mailed 1099-G tax forms. Please keep an eye on your mail over the next couple of weeks.
Additional information and frequently asked questions about 1099-G tax forms can be found on the Department of Labor website. Click the link or button below for more information.
· https://labor.vermont.gov/unemployment-insurance/claimant-tax-form-information.
Please note: You will not be provided 1099 information over the phone, even if you are attempting to file your taxes early.
[January 22, 2024]
Important Reminders:
- 1099-G Tax Form: All UI Claimants that received benefits in 2023 will receive a Vermont Department of Labor 1099-G tax form for tax filings. The Department will be mailing 1099-G tax forms to claimants by January 31. Please continue to monitor your email and the Department of Labor website for more information and updates as we begin to mail documents.
* Please note: You will not be provided 1099 information over the phone, even if you are attempting to file your taxes early. *
- Extended Hours: If you are on hold at 4:30 pm when our office would typically close, rest assured that your call will be picked up before the office closes. Your call will not be disconnected. All calls in queue will be answered. We encourage you to please stay on the line.
- Adjudication process: If your claim is currently in the adjudication process, please do not call the claimant assistance line for updates on your claim. This will create longer wait and hold times for the Claimant Assistance Center. You will receive a written determination in the mail when a decision has been reached. Updates and outcomes of determinations cannot be provided over the phone.
[January 18, 2024]
High Call Volume Update:
The Department acknowledges the challenges from the increased call volume affecting individuals filing for UI benefits. To address this, we have strategically reassigned additional members from the Unemployment Insurance team to support the management of phone inquiries at the Claimant Assistance Center.
[January 16, 2024]
Due to the recent holiday, Monday, January 15, the Claimant Assistance line is experiencing a very high call volume this morning.
For the best service, we ask that you contact the Assistance Center during non-peak days and times, which are Tuesdays through Thursdays and from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Filing later in the week will not prevent a claimant from receiving benefits.
Reminder:
Please Stay on the Line: If you find yourself in a queue and on hold, we strongly encourage you to remain on the line until you are connected with a representative. Hanging up and re-dialing only forces you to start your hold time over again and will delay the overall process.
[January 11, 2024]
Unemployment Insurance Reminders
Due to the increasing demand and unforeseen technical issues over the last few weeks, our Claimant Assistance Center has experienced an extremely high call volume. We acknowledge that this has resulted in longer wait times for claimants. Please be assured that we are actively working to resolve these challenges and appreciate your understanding.
To streamline the process and ensure that everyone receives the assistance they need, please remember:
- Please Stay on the Line: If you find yourself in a queue and on hold, we strongly encourage you to remain on the line until you are connected with a representative. Hanging up and re-dialing only forces you to start your hold time over again and will delay the overall process.
- Extended Hours: If you are on hold at 4:30 pm when our office would typically close, rest assured that your call will be picked up before the office closes. Your call will not be disconnected. All calls in queue will be answered. We encourage you to please stay on the line.
- Call Volume Limit: We are currently exceeding our call volume capacity. If possible, we kindly ask that you try calling back later in the day when the lines may be less congested. Note that the call-back feature is disabled after 2 pm to ensure we can address all call backs for the remainder of the day.
We understand the challenges you may be facing, and we are committed to assisting you. Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we navigate through this period of high demand.
[January 5, 2024]
Unemployment Claimant Benefit Payment Delay
The Department is aware that some UI claimants have not yet received their weekly unemployment insurance benefit payment this week. This payment is typically direct-deposited on Thursday for those that opt to receive benefits via electronic transfer. Upon review, the Department discovered a delay in processing payments through the bank the Department uses to issue payments. This issue was resolved Friday morning the bank is working to expedite payments for Friday afternoon; however, it may take 1-2 business days for the payment to be available depending on the bank the claimant uses. Claimants should monitor their bank to ensure these funds are deposited in the next 1-2 business days. This error does not impact the issuing of paper checks, if that is what the claimant selected as their preferred payment method.
[December 18, 2023]
The Vermont Department of Labor is aware that a population of unemployment insurance claimants may be experiencing issues accessing the Unemployment Insurance Claimant Portal to file for benefits for a given week and getting through to the Unemployment Claimant Assistance Center.
If you had trouble filing your weekly claim using the online Claimant Portal earlier today, please refresh your screen or log out of the website and log back into your account before calling the Claimant Assistance Line.
Important Reminders:
- If you were unable to file by the deadline on Friday, December 15, 2023, for the benefit week ending 12/9/23, the Department has extended the filing window for affected claimants. Claimants can contact the UI Claimant assistance line at 877-214-3332 to file for the benefit weeks ending 12/9/23 and 12/16/23 if they are unable to file through the claimant portal.
- The Claimant Assistant Center is experiencing high call volume and extended wait times. For the best service, we ask that you contact the Assistance Center during non-peak days and times, which are Tuesdays through Thursdays and from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Filing later in the week will not prevent a claimant from receiving benefits.
- Claimants who are not required to conduct a work search can also file for benefits using the Unemployment Insurance automated phone system at 800-983-2300.
The Department of Labor and the Agency of Digital Services recognize how significant timely benefits payments are for unemployed Vermonters, especially during the holidays, and continue to work to address these technical issues as they come up.
Claimants can find information about the Unemployment Insurance Program and related issues at https://labor.vermont.gov.
[December 14, 2023 at 3:30PM]
Montpelier, Vt. – The technical issues impacting the Department of Labor’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) Claimant Portal have been resolved as of this afternoon, Thursday, December 14, 2023.
On Monday, December 11, 2023, Department of Labor staff became aware of an issue affecting a number of unemployment claimants. These individuals reported encountering difficulties filing their weekly claims or reopening existing claims.
Impacted claimants who were unable to file for the benefit week of 12/03/23-12/09/23 should now find that option available in their claimant portal account. However, if a claimant is still experiencing an issue with their claimant portal, they should contact the UI Claimant Assistance Center at (877) 214-3332.
The Department and the Agency of Digital Services (ADS) launched a coordinated effort to identify the root cause of the issue and implement a solution. Roughly half of the claimant population, or about 800 individuals, were impacted by the disruption; however, many of the affected claimants were able to contact the Claimant Assistance Center and have their weekly claims taken manually over the phone.
At this time, any claimant who still needs to file for the benefit week of 12/03/23-12/09/23 should do so using the claimant portal before Friday, December 15, 2023, at 4:30PM. The Department will extend the filing window into next week, on a case-by-case basis, for affected claimants. Claimants can contact the Claimant Assistance Center at (877) 214-3332 if they are unable to file before the Friday deadline.
The Department recognizes how important timely benefits are for unemployed Vermonters and it appreciates the public’s patience while a solution was developed.
Claimants can find information about the Unemployment Insurance Program and this issue at https://labor.vermont.gov.
[December 13, 2023 at 10:45am]
Update: The Agency of Digital Service is continuing to work on the UI claimant portal in an effort to resolve the issue that is preventing some claimants from filing their weekly benefit claim for the benefit week of 12/03/23-12/09/23.
Claimants have until Friday at 4 pm each week to file their weekly benefit claim for the prior week. If the Claimant Portal issues are not resolved by then, the Department of Labor will extend the filing date to ensure claimants receive their benefits.
Call volume at the UI Claimant Assistance Center continues to be extremely high and wait times are pushing more than two hours.
[December 12, 2023 at 5:00pm]
System Outage Impacting Unemployment Insurance Claimants
Montpelier, Vt. – The Vermont Department of Labor is experiencing technical issues with the Unemployment Insurance (UI) claimant portal, which is the system some claimants use to file their weekly benefit claims and reopen existing claims. This issue is impacting a subset of the entire claimant population. Claimants experiencing this issue will find that they are unable to file a weekly claim for the benefit week of 12/03/23 – 12/09/23.
The technical difficulties involving the UI Claimant Portal are a direct result of the significant age of the existing system. As previously reported, the UI core system and the claimant portal are over 30 years old. The State and the Department are currently securing a vendor to update the entire UI system following an appropriation from the legislature in 2022 for $30 million.
Claimants experiencing this problem should monitor the UI claimant portal and the Department of Labor’s website for updates on the situation.
Claimants have until Friday at 4:30pm each week to file their weekly benefit claim for the prior week. If the claimant portal issues are not resolved by then, the Department of Labor will extend the filing date to ensure claimants receive their benefits.
Members of the public should also be aware that this issue is causing a surge in calls to the UI Claimant Assistance Center, resulting in extreme wait times.
The Department of Labor and the Agency of Digital Services are working to address these issues as quickly as possible to ensure unemployed Vermonters have access to these crucial benefits.
Information about the Unemployment Insurance Program and this ongoing issue can be found at https://labor.vermont.gov.