State representatives can assist Vermonters with unemployment benefits process

May 6, 2020  |  By Lisa Scagliotti

As state government digs out from under a crushing influx of unemployment claims from those out of work due to the COVID-19 crisis, lawmakers in Montpelier have joined the effort to assist constituents seeking benefits. 

Those laid off or self-employed and unable to work as a result of the business closures ordered to slow the coronavirus outbreak may be eligible for unemployment benefits. 

The state system for handling these claims has been experiencing a crippling high demand and a backlog in processing, leaving many Vermonters financially on edge without a paycheck. 

State officials working to resolve the issues say Vermonters should start with the Vermont Department of Labor first. 

But those having trouble also may now turn to their state representatives for help. As a way to assist constituents, the Vermont House last week launched a tool to help resolve issues surrounding Unemployment Insurance and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claims. 

On April 27, House Speaker Mitzi Johnson (D-South Hero) issued a statement saying: “Legislators are hearing concerns from Vermonters across the state about their inability to reach the Vermont Department of Labor via phone to resolve their unemployment claim issues. We are all deeply concerned that many Vermonters - many of whom live paycheck to paycheck - have gone six weeks without income. Vermonters need help now.” 

Since the start of the COVID-19 crisis in mid-March, Vermont has seen a surge of at least 70,000 applications for unemployment insurance benefits. Economist Art Woolf, writing in VtDigger recently noted that official figures for April will be out on May 22 “and the number could be as many as 100,000.”

In March, the state’s unemployment rate ticked up to 3.2% after hovering below 3% since mid-2017. February’s rate was 2.4%., according to state figures. “I expect that Vermont’s April unemployment rate will be in the 15% to 20% range,” Woolf predicted.

As state officials scrambled to add staff and tackle the bottleneck  of more than 30,000 claims in mid-April, Gov. Phil Scott and Treasurer Beth Pearce fast-tracked $1,200 relief checks for more than 8,000 individuals who had applied for but had not yet been approved for benefits. 

Those checks went out on April 20, but Johnson said lawmakers were still hearing from some people with claims still in limbo. That prompted the effort to get state representatives working directly with constituents, a move the Scott administration supported. 

“Vermonters with outstanding case issues can contact their legislators. With very basic information, your representative can help you get through to the Department of Labor to resolve your claim issues,” she explained. 

Waterbury residents may contact state Reps.Tom Stevens, D-Waterbury, and Theresa Wood, D-Waterbury, for help with Unemployment Insurance or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. Email Stevens and Wood at tstevens@leg.state.vt.us and twood@leg.state.vt.us. 

Duxbury residents may contact their state Reps. Maxine Grad, D-Moretown, or Kari Dolan, D-Waitsfield, at mgrad@leg.state.vt.us and kdolan@leg.state.vt.us.