At the start of the pandemic, unemployment insurance benefits were extended to Vermonters who were forced to separate from employment for a COVID-19 related reasons.
Beginning October 1, 2021, individuals will no longer be eligible to receive benefits if they file an initial claim for unemployment insurance benefits for any of the following reasons:
- They left employment as a direct result of an order issued by the Governor or President
- The individual’s own COVID-19 related isolation or quarantine
- Being sick or isolated as the result of COVID-19
- Caring for a family member who is sick or isolated as the result of COVID-19
- Caring for a family member who had an unreasonable risk of exposure at their place of employment
- Needing to care for a child who has had their school or childcare center closed in response to a COVID-19 outbreak
If you are currently filing for benefits for one of the reasons above: you will still be able to continue to file for benefits. If you have already been deemed eligible, you will be able to continue to file as you have been.
If you are not currently filing for benefits but anticipate you may separate from employment for one of the reasons identified above: You will not be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.
In order to ensure a proper eligibility review, you must answer all eligibility related questions accurately.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What if my child’s school or childcare closes due to COVID-19 and I need to stay home with them?
Unfortunately, the Department of Labor does not have the legal authority to allow you to continue to file.
What if I was filing for benefits, then returned to work, and now I am in a position where I need to leave employment for one of the COVID-19 related reasons above?
If you need to leave employment for any of the reasons outlined above, you will not be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.
I am currently filing for one of the reasons above, how will my benefits be impacted on October 1?
If you have already been deemed eligible and are filing for benefits, you will not see a disruption in benefits. You will be able to file until you exhaust your eligibility.
If I already have an open benefit year with one of the approved scenarios above, but have not been recently filing, can I reopen my claim and continue to file?
You will be able to reopen your claim, but you will no longer be eligible to file for benefits. The Department does not have legal authority to allow you to continue to file under one of the COVID-19 exemptions if you are not currently filing.