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.

OverviewWhen someone dies

Unemployment

Vermont

labor.vermont.gov/unemployment-insurance→

Administering agency

Vermont Department of Labor — Unemployment Insurance

Phone1-877-214-3330

WebsiteVisit website →

Authority

Rules of the Vermont Employment Security Board, Rule 12 (Benefits Due Deceased Claimants)

Verified Jul 2026

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)

When someone dies

Steps after a death in Vermont

4-step process for Vermont Department of Labor — Unemployment Insurance.

View details →

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated July 14, 2026

Sources

labor.vermont.gov

Data sourced from State Unemployment Benefits in Vermont primary sources (4 pages reviewed). How we research.

Unemployment

Vermont

labor.vermont.gov/unemployment-insurance→

Administering agency

Vermont Department of Labor — Unemployment Insurance

Phone1-877-214-3330

WebsiteVisit website →

Authority

Rules of the Vermont Employment Security Board, Rule 12 (Benefits Due Deceased Claimants)

Verified Jul 2026

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)