State Unemployment Benefits in Vermont
The Vermont Department of Labor administers unemployment insurance. When a claimant dies, benefits that had accrued and were due and payable but remain unpaid — including issued but uncashed benefit checks — are paid on application to the administrator or executor of the estate, and if there is no estate, to the surviving spouse or next of kin in a stated order of preference.
Administering agency
Vermont Department of Labor — Unemployment Insurance
Authority
Rules of the Vermont Employment Security Board, Rule 12 (Benefits Due Deceased Claimants)
State Unemployment Benefits in Vermont: key facts
- Administering agency
- Vermont Department of Labor (VDOL), Unemployment Insurance Division.
- Claimant portal
- labor.ui.vermont.gov/UI/Claimant
- Phone
- Initial claim 1-877-214-3330; weekly claim line (automated) 1-800-983-2300; claimant assistance 1-877-214-3332.
- Who receives a deceased claimant's unpaid benefits
- Benefits that accrued and were due and payable but remain wholly or partially unpaid at the claimant's death — including issued but unpaid benefit checks — are paid, on application to the Department, to the duly qualified administrator or executor of the estate (Employment Security Board Rule 12).
- If no estate is opened
- If the Commissioner is satisfied there is no executor, no administrator has been appointed, and in all probability none will be, the benefits may be paid to the surviving spouse or next of kin on application, in this order of preference: surviving spouse or civil union partner, children, parents, brothers and sisters, then other relatives consistent with 14 V.S.A. § 314. The Commissioner is not bound to follow the order if it appears inequitable.
- Non-executor claims
- Anyone other than the estate's administrator or executor must make written application, which may be supported by an affidavit setting forth their relationship to the deceased claimant and stating that the claimant died intestate, that no administrator or executor has been appointed, and that there is no estate for administration.
Governing law: Rules of the Vermont Employment Security Board, Rule 12 (Benefits Due Deceased Claimants)
Steps to take when someone dies
- Report the claimant's death to the Vermont Department of Labor (claimant assistance 1-877-214-3332).
- Apply to the Department for any benefits that had accrued and were due and payable but were unpaid at the date of death, including any issued but uncashed benefit checks.
- If probate is open, the administrator or executor makes the application and receives the payment.
- If no estate exists or will be administered, the surviving spouse or next of kin applies in writing, supported by an affidavit stating the relationship, that the claimant died intestate, that no administrator or executor has been appointed, and that there is no estate for administration.
Frequently asked questions
The Vermont Department of Labor administers unemployment insurance through its UI Division. The claimant portal is at labor.ui.vermont.gov/UI/Claimant, the initial claim line is 1-877-214-3330, and claimant assistance is 1-877-214-3332.
Under Rule 12 of the Rules of the Vermont Employment Security Board, benefits that had accrued and were due and payable to the claimant but remain wholly or partially unpaid at death — including benefit checks that were issued but not paid — are paid, on application to the Department, to the duly qualified administrator or executor of the estate.
Yes. If the Commissioner is satisfied there is no executor, no administrator has been appointed, and in all probability none will be appointed, payment may be made to the surviving spouse or next of kin on written application, in this order of preference: surviving spouse or civil union partner, children, parents, brothers and sisters, then other relatives consistent with 14 V.S.A. § 314. The application may be supported by an affidavit stating the relationship, that the claimant died intestate, that no administrator or executor has been appointed, and that there is no estate for administration. The Commissioner is not bound to follow the order of preference if it appears inequitable.
Sources
Data sourced from State Unemployment Benefits in Vermont primary sources (6 pages reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Vermont Department of Labor — Unemployment Insurance
Authority
Rules of the Vermont Employment Security Board, Rule 12 (Benefits Due Deceased Claimants)