Coronavirus CT: How To File For Unemployment Benefits

HARTFORD, CT — The state Department of Labor is ramping up operations as a surge of unemployment claims come in amid an economic slowdown caused by the new coronavirus. The weekend brought 8,000 new claims, according to a department spokesman.

Gov. Ned Lamont along with New York and New Jersey governors announced that bars and restaurants will move to take-out only starting at 8 p.m. Monday. Movie theaters and gyms will also close.

The state labor department is seeing unemployment claims rise from all industries, but particularly hospitality, seasonal work, and those who serve educational systems. Coronavirus-related unemployment is being handled on a case-by-base basis.

Last week Gov. Ned Lamont suspended the requirement for furloughed workers to prove that they are actively searching for work in order to obtain ongoing unemployment benefits.

DOL is urging claimants to file through the electronic system, which will expedite claims. The department is also in the process of establishing a hotline for employers to get questions answered. Job centers remain open at this time for unemployment benefits, but there will be significant delays for any in-person business.

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An FAQ regarding specific coronavirus-related employment situations has been posted to the DOL website.

DOL is urging employers who are having furloughs to provide employees with an unemployment separation package. The package contains information that will help expedite unemployment claims.

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Still, the initial unemployment claim takes about 30 minutes to process.

The department is phasing out its telephone line for filing weekly unemployment claims and is urging people to use the online system instead. Meanwhile, the department itself is getting ready to have more of its workers telecommute.