Connecticut To Pay $1000 Bonus To Unemployed Who Find Jobs
As other governors have announced plans to end a $300 a week supplemental unemployment benefit to encourage people to find work, Connecticut is offering a much different incentive: a $1,000 signing bonus.
Starting May 24, up to 10,000 people considered to have been unemployed for the long-term will be able to sign up on the state Department of Labors website and ultimately get paid the bonus after theyve spent eight weeks in their new full-time job.
You see the big athletes get a signing bonus. Why dont you get a signing bonus as well, asked Lamont, a Democrat, who announced the new initiative on Monday.
While more than a dozen states, most with Republican governors, have recently announced they will stop providing the extra benefit paid by the federal government, which is set to expire in September, Lamont said he didnt consider taking that step. He acknowledged there are still residents afraid to work because of COVID-19 and thought it was fair to keep the $300 benefit in place.
But that said, I wanted to do everything I could to incent people to get back to work, make it easier for them to be able to get back to work. If its child care, if its transportation, if its clothing, maybe the $1,000 helps. he said. It makes it a little easier for them to get back in the game.
Persuading people to give up one government benefit with promise of another one is a little like a dog chasing its tail, he said.
In other coronavirus-related news:
MASK-WEARING RULES
Are You Available And Actively Searching For Work
To maintain your eligibility for unemployment benefits, you must be able to work, available to accept a job, and looking for employment. If you’re offered a suitable position, you must accept it. For the initial unemployment period, whether a position is suitable depends on several factors, including the level of skill and training required, the similarity between the work and your previous employment, how much the position pays, whether it poses a health and safety risk, and the distance between the job site and your residence. However, as time goes on, you will be expected to modify your standards and consider accepting work that requires less skill or that pays lower wages.
You must conduct a reasonable search for work. You should keep a record of your job search efforts, including the employers you have contacted, the dates you made contact, and the outcome. The DOL may contact you or your employer contacts to verify your efforts.
Amount And Duration Of Unemployment Benefits In Connecticut
The DOL determines your weekly benefit amount by averaging your wages from the two highest quarters in your base period and dividing that number by 26, up to a maximum of $698 . For example, if you earned an average of $17,000 in the two highest quarters, your weekly benefit amount would be $594 . Benefits are typically available for up to 26 weeks, although this may increase in times of high unemployment.
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Learn About Denied Unemployment Benefits In Connecticut
Find Connecticut Unemployment Appealing Denied Benefits Information
Unfortunately, some applicants will experience having their unemployment compensation benefits denied in Connecticut, which may leave them wondering, What can I do if unemployment denied my application? Each claim is taken very seriously, and many factors are taken into account while determining if an applicant is eligible for unemployment benefits in Connecticut. To help decrease the likelihood of being denied unemployment benefits, review the list of eligibility requirements prior to applying. It is also important to ensure that all information listed on your documents and your application is correct prior to filing your claim. All of these measures can greatly improve the likelihood of your approval for unemployment benefits. However, if you have your request for unemployment compensation benefits denied and you still feel you are entitled to receive benefits, there are steps you can take in order to file an unemployment denial appeal in CT.
Read on to learn more about the following important unemployment topics:
Find Connecticut Unemployment Resources
Find Out How to Appeal Denied Benefits
What Do I Do If I Am A Victim Of Wrongful Termination In Connecticut
If you claim that you are a victim of wrongful termination in Connecticut and you are filing for UI benefits , it is your employers burden to prove that you were not wrongfully terminated. Instead, your employer must prove that your termination was for one of the following just reasons:
- You committed willful misconduct in the course of your employment.
- You committed workplace misconduct that is considered a felony under Connecticut state law.
- You committed larceny of property or service, with a value that exceeds $25 during the course of your employment.
- You participated in an illegal strike.
- You were sentenced to a term of incarceration of 30 days or longer during your time of employment.
- You were unable to perform your job due to the use of drugs or alcohol .
If your employer cannot prove that any of the above occurred, then your termination will usually be considered wrongful during the hearing, and your initially denied unemployment benefits application will be accepted.
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More Than 21k People Came Off Unemployment Insurance In Ct In May
A worker builds new bleachers at Greenwich High School in Greenwich, Conn. Construction has seen the biggest rebound in employment of any major industry in Connecticut, according to updated figures this week from the Connecticut Department of Labor breaking out unemployment claims by varying sectors.
Gov. Ned Lamont speaks Thursday in Stamford, Conn. to participants in a CTNext innovation program. The same day, Lamont named Dante Bartolomeo the interim commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Labor, which has paid out nearly $9 billion in unemployment benefits since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Customers dine in early June at Knot Norms in Norwalk, Conn. Restaurant employment continues to edge back as consumer confidence rebounds amid low infection rates for COVID-19 and the outlook for the overall economy.
Graduates from Western Connecticut State Universitys Ancell School of Business, in May 2021 in Danbury, Conn. Businesses continue to cite difficulties in finding qualified workers for open jobs in Connecticut, despite a pool of more than 160,000 workers at the end of May receiving unemployment compensation.
Work nears completion in mid-May 2021 on the new Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater in Bridgeport, Conn. Leisure and entertainment employment has seen among the best rebounds of any sector in Connecticut as the calendar flips to the summer months.
What To Do If You Are Denied Unemployment Benefits In Connecticut
You can file an appeal if you are denied benefits. If you are denied unemployment benefits in Connecticut, you can file an appeal where you can present evidence and witnesses to support your claim. To collect unemployment insurance benefits in Connecticut, you must meet all eligibility requirements.
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Want Unemployment Benefits Starting May 30 Jobless Workers Must Actively Search For Employment To Get A Check
Unemployed workers in Connecticut will again be required to actively look for work to qualify for a weekly check.
The long-standing rule was waived last year as hundreds of thousands of workers were suddenly left jobless when the state shut businesses to slow the spread of COVID-19. It will take effect May 30.
Employment growth in Connecticut is sluggish, but these six industries are adding jobs »
Weve seen a steady decline in both the number of people filing for weekly benefits and the unemployment rate — good news for businesses and the economy, state Labor Commissioner Kurt Westby said Thursday as he announced the policy. Reinstating work search requirements will support the states ongoing recovery and reopening efforts.
Unemployment Insurance claims peaked at nearly 319,000 in May 2020 and have fallen to about 151,000 in late April. The unemployment rate dropped to 8.1% in April, down from 11.4% in May 2020.
Connecticut joins more than two dozen states in restoring the work search requirement, the Labor Department said.
Gov. Ned Lamont told reporters recently the requirement is not for somebody who just changed jobs a week ago and is about to go back.
The majority of our people have been long-term unemployed, the vast majority going back to the early days of COVID, he said. A lot of them maybe have gotten discouraged, a lot of them are scared of getting COVID. A lot of them just arent in the workforce right now.
Unemployment Benefits In Connecticut
The Connecticut Department of Labor administers unemployment insurance benefits for workers in the state who are either partially or fully unemployed and who are either looking for new jobs, in training, or waiting to be recalled back to their jobs. The states CT Direct Benefits is the system that is used to administer and process benefit requests.
Funding for benefits is paid completely by taxes on employers in Connecticut. Workers do not pay any of the costs. To qualify for benefits, workers must meet all eligibility requirements.
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What Should I Do If I Am Denied Unemployment In Connecticut
If you have been denied unemployment benefits in CT, the first step to take is to review your own eligibility. You must take into account the documents that were submitted and the proof of termination that was supplied by your employer. If any of these factors disqualifies you from receiving benefits, and those factors have not changed, it is unlikely you will be approved during an unemployment denial appeal.
However, if the reason you were denied has changed, or you feel that you legally meet all of the requirements to receive unemployment benefits, then start looking into beginning the appeal process.
How To Collect Unemployment In Connecticut
If you have lost your job or experienced a reduction in hours due to COVID-19, you may be entitled to unemployment compensation. Although unemployment insurance is frequently available to eligible employees who are laid off for circumstances beyond their control, many U.S. workers are excluded from this type of coverage.
But the coronavirus pandemic has dramatically increased the pool of eligible workers. In fact, even self-employed and gig workers, who are traditionally excluded from unemployment compensation, may be eligible. And the amount of compensation available has also increased to unprecedented levels.
The skilled employment team at Madsen, Prestley & Parenteau LLC understands the urgency many Connecticut workers are feeling to obtain the full unemployment compensation they are entitled to. Millions of Americans are out of work as a result of COVID-19, and nobody knows how long this economic crisis will last. But you have rights, and its in your best interest to be as informed as possible so that you can protect them. Contact Madsen, Prestley & Parenteau LLC today at for more information.
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When And How Will I Be Paid
Connecticut gives unemployment insurance benefit recipients two options to receive a payment. You can choose to either receive payments via direct deposit into your existing checking or savings account, or you can collect benefits through the use of a debit card that is issued to you. Log into your account click on Manage Your Unemployment Claim and File your Weekly Claims, then go to Select/Modify Payment Option.
If you dont select an option, you will automatically receive a debit card. When you receive benefits, the amount is loaded on to a debit card which can be used anywhere a debit card is accepted. You can switch to either method at any point.
If you select Direct Deposit as your option, it will take about two business days to process your deposit after you file your weekly claim.
If you choose the Debit Card option, the card will be mailed to you in about 710 days and then it will take about two business days after your weekly claim is processed thereafter for funds to be loaded on to your card.
NOTE: Unemployment benefits are fully taxable by the Internal Revenue Service and the State of Connecticut. You can choose to have taxes withheld at the time you file your new claim.
How Long Does The Cares Act Last
The $600 weekly payments, which begin the date you file for unemployment, ended July 31, 2020. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Department of Labor has a backlog of unemployment applications, but the $600 payment will be paid retroactively starting from the date of your application for unemployment. Therefore, if you are eligible but havent begun receiving payments because you havent filed, or due to the backlog, you can still receive the full benefits owed to you. An experienced CT employment lawyer can help if you are unsure how to proceed.
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Governor Lamont Announces Back To Work Ct Program Giving Long
Governor Ned Lamont today announced that as Connecticut continues to recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, he is creating the Back to Work CT program, which will provide a one-time $1,000 bonus payment to 10,000 long-term unemployed people who live in Connecticut and obtain new jobs. The program is designed to encouraged long-term unemployed individuals to find work.
Although Connecticuts economy added 17,000 jobs in the first quarter of 2021 and the pace of the recovery is accelerating as the pandemic subsides, many residents who lost their jobs during COVID-19 are still struggling to find good-paying work appropriate to their skills and their families needs. The Lamont administration has made it possible for jobseekers to access vaccines, affordable childcare, workforce development opportunities, and a fair minimum wage. This new program will complement those efforts by encouraging those whove been out of work the longest to find employment and helping them cover the costs of searching for and starting a new job.
To be eligible, workers must:
Unemployment Insurance Eligibility Requirements
To collect unemployment insurance benefits in Connecticut, you must meet all eligibility requirements.
- You must meet the monetary requirement by having earned sufficient wages during your base period.
- You must have lost your last job through no fault of your own. You may be disqualified from receiving benefits if you were terminated for misconduct or illegal activities, among other reasons.
- You have to be physically and mentally able to work and also be available to work. This means you must not have any child or dependent care issues and that you have adequate means of transportation to get to and from a job.
- You must be registered with the American Job Center. This is the states employment services agency that will assist you with finding another job.
- You must actively seek work by making reasonable efforts to find employment each week.
- You may be exempted from this requirement if you are participating in approved training.
- You must participate in selected reemployment services if you are selected to do so.
- You must file weekly claims as directed.
- If you are not a US citizen, you must be in legal alien status now and during the time that you earned your base period wages. You will need to present proof of satisfactory legal alien status as part of the new claim process.
- You will need to keep a weekly record of your job search efforts and maintain the record for as long as you are drawing benefits so that you can substantiate your claim if asked to do so.
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How To File An Unemployment Benefits Claim In Connecticut
You can file a claim online through CT Direct Benefits. Upon successful completion of a new claim you will receive an email with your claim status and next steps.
If you are unable to file a claim online, you can visit one of Connecticuts American Job Center locations throughout the state.
The Connecticut Tax and Benefits System allows you to manage your existing unemployment claim, including filing your weekly claims. You can also get answers to questions regarding your benefits. You go online for general information on Sundays from midnight to 11:00 p.m. and Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
You can file your Weekly Continued claim online or by phone on Sundays from midnight to 11:00 p.m., and Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Do not delay filing your claim, even if your employer has not or will not issue you an Unemployment Notice. File your claim immediately because benefits will not be paid retroactively for those claims that precede filing.
When you open a new claim, it is valid for one year. During that time you can collect up to 26 weeks of full benefits.
A claim for benefits begins with the Sunday of the week in which you file your claim.
Newly unemployed?
Several online serviceslike FlexJobs, 360training, or MyPerfectResumecan help you find work-from-home jobs, build a better resume, or earn training certifications.
How To Apply For Unemployment In Connecticut
by Maurie Backman | Updated July 17, 2021 – First published on March 26, 2020
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Lost your job during the COVID-19 crisis? This is what you need to know before you claim unemployment in Connecticut.
Lost your job during the COVID-19 crisis? This is what you need to know before you claim unemployment in Connecticut.
The COVID-19 pandemic has already impacted millions of Americans’ paychecks. If you’ve lost your job or have seen your hours cut, you may be entitled to unemployment benefits. If you live in Connecticut, this is what you need to know.
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