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Vermont Unemployment Benefits Calculator (2026)

The Vermont Department of Labor applies 21 V.S.A. §1338 to calculate weekly unemployment benefits – one of New England’s most generous formulas. It adds your two highest‑earning quarters, divides the sum by 45, and then caps the result at $705 per week, payable for a maximum of 26 weeks during the benefit year that is reset each July.

Reviewed 2026-09-02 · Estimates only — not legal or financial advice.

Before taxes.
Before taxes.
The law behind this calculator: Vermont Department of Labor — unemployment insurance — 21 V.S.A. § 1338; Vermont DOL.

How Vermont calculates it

  • Identify the quarter in which you earned the most wages and the quarter with the second‑most wages.
  • Add the wage totals from those two quarters together.
  • Divide the combined total by 45 to get a preliminary weekly benefit amount.
  • If the result exceeds $705, reduce it to the $705 maximum.
  • The final weekly benefit can be paid for up to 26 weeks in the current benefit year.

Worked example

Quarters of $14,000 and $12,000: ($14,000 + $12,000) ÷ 45 = $578 — a weekly benefit of $578 for up to 26 weeks ($15,028 total if fully drawn).

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for unemployment benefits in Vermont?

You must be unemployed through no fault of your own, have earned wages in at least one recent quarter, and be able and available to work while you claim benefits.

Are Vermont unemployment benefits subject to state income tax?

Yes, Vermont treats unemployment compensation as taxable income for state tax purposes, and it is also subject to federal income tax.

How long do I have to wait before my first benefit check arrives?

Vermont imposes a one‑week waiting period; benefits begin after that initial week of unemployment.

What if my wages were low – will I still receive a partial benefit?

The formula automatically produces a lower weekly amount when your two highest quarters are modest; you will receive whatever weekly benefit the calculation yields, up to the $705 cap.

Did the $705 weekly maximum change recently?

The $705 cap is the current maximum for the benefit year that is recomputed each July; it reflects the most recent adjustment by the Vermont Department of Labor.

Is the calculation different in Burlington, South Burlington or Rutland?

No. Benefits are set by the Vermont Department of Labor under one statewide formula, so a claim filed from Burlington, South Burlington, Rutland is computed exactly like one from anywhere else in Vermont. Only your wages — not your city or county — change the result.

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