New unemployment claims in Vermont spiked after Christmas, increasing more than a thousand from an already-high level. Claims typically spike after Christmas as retail-related help is let go. For
the week of January 2, 2013, there were 2,507 new, regular benefit claims for Unemployment Insurance in Vermont. This is an increase of 1,103 from last week's total, or 442 fewer than they were the same time last year.
Altogether 9,714 new and continuing claims were filed, an increase of 1566 from a week ago and 152 fewer than a year ago. The Department also processed 1,132 First Tier claims for benefits under Emergency Unemployment Compensation, 2008 (EUC08), 119 fewer than a week ago.
In addition, there were 56 Second Tier claims for benefits processed under the EUC08 program, which is 3 fewer than the week before. The Tier II program of extended benefits is being discontinued in Vermont as the state's unemployment rate has been under the federal threshold for more than three months.
The Unemployment Weekly Report can be found at: http://www.vtlmi.info/. Previously released Unemployment Weekly Reports and other UI reports can be found at: http://www.vtlmi.info/lmipub.htm#uc
Vermont's unemployment rate fell three-tenths to 5.2 percent in November, ending a five-month increase. SEE STORY