Free · official rates · checked September 25, 2026
Starting a business on unemployment in Vermont
Here’s what Vermont allows while you’re on unemployment, and how to build your plan alongside your job search.
Vermont
No Self-Employment Assistance in use (the law exists, but the program is rarely run)
Self-employment does not automatically make you ineligible, but the more time it takes the less available you are for other work. Earnings from self-employment started after you became unemployed must be reported. A 'sideline' business you already ran alongside your main job is not reported unless the time or income you put into it grows by 20% or more. Source
Job search: At least three job contacts each week, reported on the weekly claim certification in the week you make them. Keep accurate records and confirmations (the Department runs random checks) and register in Vermont JobLink.
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Self-Employment Assistance in Vermont
Vermont has a Self-Employment Assistance law, but we found no active program in 2026. Ask the unemployment agency before you rely on it.
How self-employment affects your benefit
Self-employment does not automatically make you ineligible, but the more time it takes the less available you are for other work. Earnings from self-employment started after you became unemployed must be reported. A 'sideline' business you already ran alongside your main job is not reported unless the time or income you put into it grows by 20% or more.
50% of gross earnings is disregarded and the rest is deducted dollar for dollar; no payment in a week you work 35+ hours or earn more than your weekly benefit plus the disregard.
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Your weekly job search
At least three job contacts each week, reported on the weekly claim certification in the week you make them. Keep accurate records and confirmations (the Department runs random checks) and register in Vermont JobLink.
Pontia keeps your job-search record for you and links to Vermont JobLink, so your plan and your search run side by side.
Other help in Vermont
- HireAbility Vermont (Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, DAIL): VR Policy Chapter 308 (Apr 2024) supports self-employment through assessment, a participant-owned business plan and funding guidelines of $2,500 for supplemental-income businesses and $10,000 for self-sufficiency ventures, with a committee reviewing requests over $2,500 (https://dail.vermont.gov/sites/dail/files/documents/VR_PP_Chapter308_SelfEmployment.pdf).
- Medicaid: Vermont expanded Medicaid, so the new work requirement applies to expansion adults: 80 hours or $580 net a month, and hours on your business count. Beginning 2027: new applicants from 1 Jan 2027 and current members at their first 2027 renewal (from March 2027, per DVHA) must show 80 hours or $580/month; self-attestation in 2027, documentation possibly from 2028.
- SBA Microloans of up to $50,000, and free advice from your local SBDC and SCORE mentors.
- On SSI or SSDI: PASS and the SSDI trial work period let you test a business.
Questions
Can I collect unemployment while starting a business in Vermont?+
Vermont has a Self-Employment Assistance law, but we found no active program in 2026. Ask the unemployment agency before you rely on it. Self-employment does not automatically make you ineligible, but the more time it takes the less available you are for other work. Earnings from self-employment started after you became unemployed must be reported. A 'sideline' business you already ran alongside your main job is not reported unless the time or income you put into it grows by 20% or more.
How many job contacts a week does Vermont require?+
At least three job contacts each week, reported on the weekly claim certification in the week you make them. Keep accurate records and confirmations (the Department runs random checks) and register in Vermont JobLink.
How much is unemployment in Vermont?+
Between $96 and $751 a week in 2026, for up to 23-26 weeks. Your own amount is on your monetary determination.
What other help is there to start a business in Vermont?+
Free advice from your local SBDC and SCORE mentors, SBA microloans of up to $50,000, and, if you have a disability, HireAbility Vermont (Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, DAIL) can fund a self-employment plan. On SSI or SSDI, PASS and the trial work period let you test a business.
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Cite this page
"Start a business on unemployment in Vermont (2026)", Pontia, https://pontia.xyz/us/vermont/ (updated September 25, 2026)
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