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VT DOL Continues to Monitor Federal Relief Negotiations

December 18, 2020

As Congress continues to negotiate the next version of a coronavirus relief package, the Vermont Department of Labor is actively working to prepare its staff and systems to adequately respond to any new or updated unemployment benefit programs that are authorized.

Based on what is being shared in the news and through our formal federal channels, it is likely that any new relief bill will include extensions to federal benefit programs such as PEUC and PUA, and while it is not yet known if there will be a supplemental additional benefit, previously known as Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (also known as $600-FPUC), our team is preparing for the possibility of this additional benefit, as well as other updates to existing programs.

It is important to note that even when a bill is authorized, each state must wait for formal federal guidance to be issued by the U.S. Department of Labor before these updates can be implemented. This is done to ensure complaince with federal regulations and reduce miscommunication to claimants.

As these programs become official, the VT Department of Labor will provide notice to the public, as well as information about when claimants can expect to see these changes take effect.

Sincerely,

Michael Harrington
Commissioner
Vermont Department of Labor