About 650 Vermonters will lose their unemployment benefits when the federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) Program ends on Dec. 28. Unless Congress acts to extend the program before that date, the Vermont Department of Labor will have no authority or funding to continue the benefit program. While Congress has extended the program many times in the past 5 years, there is no indication at this time that the EUC program will be reauthorized. ‘ The Vermont Department of Labor is currently notifying affected UI claimants. ‘ ‘
Due to Vermont’s low unemployment rate, the maximum number of EUC weeks dropped to 26 weeks in June 2012. Congress further reduced the maximum of EUC Tier 1 benefits weeks from 20 to 14 weeks in September of 2012 where it has remained. ‘
Any individual who needs help finding a job should come into one of VDOL’s local offices, where we can assist with resume writing, interviewing skills, identifying job openings, and job placement.’ ‘ VDOL’s Career Resource Centers provide Vermonters with free, professional assistance, matching job seekers with job openings.’ ‘
For a list of the Department’s Career Resource Centers and other information, please visit our website at www.labor.vermont.gov. If you need help with housing, food, medical care or other essentials, you can dial 211 or visit www.Vermont211.org.
Vermont Department of Labor 12.10.2013
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