Skidmore v. Dep't of Labor

# Skidmore v. Department of Labor ## What Happened A worker in Vermont applied for unemployment benefits and disagreed with when her benefit year officially started. She claimed her benefit year should have begun on February 2, 2016, which would have given her access to additional benefits. The Department of Labor said her benefit year actually started on May 18, 2015, when she first contacted the Unemployment Division. ## What the Court Decided Vermont's Supreme Court sided with the Department of Labor. The court confirmed that the worker's benefit year correctly began on May 18, 2015—the date she first applied. This meant she was not entitled to the extra unemployment benefits she was seeking. ## Why This Matters for Workers This ruling clarifies how states determine when unemployment benefit years begin. Workers need to understand that contacting the unemployment office immediately after job loss is important, as it officially starts the clock on your benefit year. Waiting months to apply could limit the total benefits you receive. If you lose your job, reach out to your state's unemployment office right away to protect your eligibility.