If you are a federal employee or contractor who worked in Vermont and lost work through no fault of your own, you should apply for unemployment compensation (UC) benefits right away.

Apply for UC benefits as soon as you stop working

Call the Vermont Department of Labor (VDOL) at 1-877-214-3330 to file an initial claim. When you call, have this required information ready.

Report any severance pay or other separation payments, including unused vacation pay that you received.

When you make your initial application, VDOL will ask if you are a federal employee.

• If you received SF-8 or SF-50 forms, have the forms with you when you call.
• If you have NOT received SF-8 or SF-50 forms, you should apply right away without the forms. The Vermont Labor Department will ask for the needed information from the federal agency where you worked. Gather your W2 and pay statements from your federal employer in case they are needed.

Look for work and file a claim each week you are unemployed

You can file weekly claims in the claimant portal once you have an account set up. If you are unable to file in the portal, call the claimant assistance line at 1-877-214-3332. When filing your weekly claims, you must answer a list of questions for that week and must report any part-time wages you earned that week.

Types of job loss that allow you to get UC

• Termination for a reason other than willful misconduct. People who are terminated for poor job performance may receive UC.
• Quitting your job for a good reason due to the employer. For example, if the employer makes a major change to your working conditions that creates hardship.

VDOL will request information from you and from your former employer and independently decide if you can collect UC.

If you are denied

If you are denied benefits, or if your benefit calculation notice (called a “Monetary Determination”) does not have your federal wages, contact us for advice.