Douglas seeks OK on unemployment
The governor is asking the state Legislature to amend the unemployment compensation law to provide additional weeks of benefits to individuals in approved training. Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed by Congress, states must meet a number of benchmarks including the additional weeks of benefits to qualify for all of the $13.9 million available to assist Vermont.
“The training benefit is the option most consistent with the goals of the unemployment compensation program. It allows workers income while gaining the skills necessary to return to work in a new occupation,” Gov. Jim Douglas said. “In addition, we need to be sure we do not add extraordinary costs to a system that is already challenged.”
Vermont will receive $4.6 million of stimulus funding since the state already has an “alternative base period” for qualifying for unemployment insurance. The alternative base period allows individuals applying for benefits to use the most recent wages to qualify.
“This provision will assist laid off Vermonters needing to make a career change due to the decline or demise of their former occupation,” Labor Commissioner Patricia Moulton Powden said.