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State of
Connecticut Unemployment Insurance Benefit Extensions
Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs)
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Benefits Extensions FAQs updated on February 15,
2013 |
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Please read this page
before contacting the Connecticut Department of Labor. In most
cases, the answer to your question(s) can be found in the
information provided below.
Important:
Individuals who are currently employed should not quit a job to file
for extended benefits. Quitting to collect will result in disqualification.
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CLICK ON EACH QUESTION
TO SHOW THE ANSWER. CLICK ON THE QUESTION AGAIN
TO HIDE THE ANSWER.
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Extended Benefits (EB) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- 1.
Am
I eligible for Extended Benefits after I exhaust my eligibility
for Emergency Unemployment Compensation?
-
No. EB can only be paid during an Extended Benefit Period.
The Extended Benefit Period in
Connecticut ended on May 12, 2012. No EB may be paid for
weeks ending after the Extended Benefit Period, regardless of
the amount of benefits remaining in your balance. By law,
an Extended Benefit Period is in effect (13 weeks of benefits)
if the three month average of the Total Unemployment Rate equals
or exceeds 6.5%. A High Unemployment Period is in effect
(additional 7 weeks of benefits) if the three month average of
the Total Unemployment equals or exceeds 8.0%. In order to
remain in effect, the three month average of the Total
Unemployment Rate must equal or exceed 110% of such average for
the corresponding period in each of the prior three years.
Connecticut
no longer meets this requirement.
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Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC-08) Tier 1 FAQs
1. How do I file for
federal Emergency Unemployment
Compensation (EUC - Tier 1) after I exhaust my regular state
unemployment compensation benefits?
You need to complete a EUC application. There are two ways to complete
the EUC application:
(1) call Telebenefits line and select option 6; or
(2) access your on-line account and select the “File for Emergency
Benefits” tab; https://sso.ctdol.state.ct.us/English/CommonLogin/CommonLogin.aspx
You may not apply for EUC benefits until you have exhausted your
entitlement to Unemployment Insurance benefits. An instructional letter
will be mailed to you when you exhaust your entitlement to Unemployment
Insurance benefits.
You do not need to complete another EUC application to receive Tiers II,
III or IV EUC benefits. Once you fully exhaust each Tier of EUC
benefits you will be automatically transitioned to the next Tier.
2.
Do I need to look for work while
filing for the federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation
(EUC08) Program?
UPDATED JANUARY 24, 2013
The
Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 require that
individuals who receive Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits be able
to work, available for work and actively seeking work.In order to remain eligible for Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits
you must:
Acceptable work search efforts are
generally considered to be a minimum of 3 employer contacts over a minimum
of 2 days within the week claimed.
You may be selected at random for
an audit of your work search efforts.
Click here for
a copy of the Report of Work-Seeking Activities form.
3. How many weeks of extended
benefits are established under Tier I ?
If
the EUC Tier I effective date is 9/2/2012, or greater: 14 weeks.
If the EUC Tier I effective date is earlier than 9/2/2012: 20 weeks.
The final payable week under current law for all Tiers will be the week
ending 12/28/2013.Therefore, any remaining EUC
balance in your account will NOT be payable for any
week after the week ending 12/28/2013.
4.
What is the federal Emergency
Unemployment Compensation (EUC08) Program?
EUC08 is a federally-funded program which provides extended
unemployment insurance benefits in all states to unemployed individuals who
have already collected all regular state benefits or have expired benefit
claims and meet the federal eligibility guidelines.
5.
Who is
potentially eligible?
You are
considered potentially eligible for the Emergency Unemployment Compensation
program if you have a Connecticut unemployment claim, and:
- You filed an unemployment claim effective May 7,
2006, or later;
-
You are
fully unemployed, or partially unemployed and working part-time, as of
July 6, 2008;
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You have no
rights to unemployment benefits from any other state, the federal
government or Canada;
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You are
legally authorized to work in the United States;
You are able and
available for and seeking employment.
6.
When does the
Emergency Unemployment Compensation program begin and end?
The program
began July 6, 2008 and expires on January 1, 2014, with no phase-out period.
The final payable week under current law for all Tiers will be
the week ending 12/28/2013.Therefore, any remaining EUC
balance in your account will NOT be payable for any
week subsequent to the week ending 12/28/2013.
7. I am currently collecting unemployment benefits. Will I be
eligible to apply for these additional benefits if I exhaust my
26 weeks and I still am not working full time?
If you have
not found employment while collecting state unemployment compensation, and
you exhaust those state benefits by December 21, 2013, you will
automatically be mailed instructions on how to file for extended benefits under the "First-Tier" program. Filing options include
calling your TeleBenefits line option 6, or online at
www.ct.gov/dol.
The final payable week under current law for all Tiers will be the week
ending 12/28/2013.Therefore, any remaining EUC
balance in your account will NOT be payable for any
week subsequent to the week ending 12/28/2013.
8.
What information will I need to file a claim?
You will need your social security number and your PIN. You
will need to provide information regarding any employment you have had since
you last filed for benefits. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you will need to
provide your alien registration number.
9.
What if I am deaf or hearing
impaired, is there a special number I can call?
TDD/TTY users can call 1-800-842-9710.
10.
If I file online
for extended benefits, why am I also told that I also need to
call the
Telebenefits line?
In most cases, based on your online answers, we need to
gather more information. For example, if you said you worked in another
state, we would need to know which state and for how long.
11. How will I file my weekly claims
once my eligibility has been established?
Individuals will be able to file weekly claims by using the
Labor Department's automated phone system or online using the agency's Web
site, in the same manner weekly claims for regular benefits were filed.
12. If I qualify for the
federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation program, how much
can I collect weekly?
Your weekly benefit amount for the extension program will be
the same as your weekly benefit amount (including dependency allowance, if
applicable).
13.
How will I
receive
my payment ?
Unemployment compensation payments are electronically issued either by
Direct Deposit to an individual’s bank account, or, onto a
Debit Card that is mailed to the last address that you provided to
the Connecticut Department of Labor. Therefore, it is important that you
update your address with the Connecticut Department of Labor as soon as
possible by calling the TeleBenefits Line.Maintaining an updated address
also ensures any mailed correspondence reaches you in a timely manner, such
as the UC-1099G tax form (Statement of Unemployment Compensation Payments)
mailed in January each year.
14.
What could disqualify me
from the Emergency Unemployment Compensation program or delay, stop, or
reduce my benefits?
Individuals who are currently employed should not quit a job
to file for extended benefits. Quitting to collect these benefits will
result in disqualification. If you have quit or been discharged from a
job since you exhausted your unemployment benefits, the reason for that job
separation will be examined and could affect your eligibility for extended
benefits.
Other situations that could cause a change in your
eligibility may be found in the "Claimant's Guide to Unemployment Insurance"
you received when you first filed for benefits, or it can be accessed from
our Internet site at
http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/progsupt/unemplt/unemployment.htm
15.
Who is impacted by the EUC Options introduced in
the July 22, 2010 legislation?
Affected individuals are those who had already
established and have a remaining EUC08 entitlement, have a benefit year
that expired after July 22, 2010, and qualify for a new benefit year
with a Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA) that is at least $100 or 25% less
than their EUC08 WBA. These individuals will continue to receive EUC
until exhaustion of their EUC08 benefits or until the expiration of the
EUC08 program, whichever comes first. The state will then pay the
individual any remaining regular compensation entitlement. Note:
This provision is not retroactive and the individual's benefit
year must have expired after July 22, 2010 (the date of the enactment of
the Extension Act.).
16.
If I disagree with a determination that I am not
eligible to receive extended benefits, what can I do?
You may
file an appeal if you disagree. Instructions on how to file an appeal
will be written at the bottom of your monetary or nonmonetary
determination letter.
17.
Are Connecticut employers being charged for
Emergency Unemployment Compensation program payments?
No. Connecticut employers, including reimbursable
employers, will not be charged for the cost of extended benefits
under this program.
18.
Are these extended unemployment benefits taxable?
Yes. You must report all unemployment insurance
on your income taxes, as reported to you on Form UC-1099G.
More information may be found on the following
IRS press release.
19.
I have already filed a claim for Emergency Unemployment
Compensation (EUC) and need additional assistance, whom should I contact?
You may contact the agency's
Telebenefits line.
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Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC-08) Tier 2 FAQs
1.
Do I need to look for work while
filing for the federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation
(EUC08) Program?
UPDATED JANUARY 24, 2013
The Middle Class Tax
Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 require that individuals who receive
Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits be able to work, available for
work and actively seeking work.In order to
remain eligible for Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits you must:
Acceptable work search efforts are
generally considered to be a minimum of 3 employer contacts over a minimum
of 2 days within the week claimed.
You may be selected at
random for an audit of your work search efforts.
Click here for
a copy of the Report of Work-Seeking Activities form.
2.
What is the "Second-Tier Program"?
Eligibility for "Second-Tier" benefits is based on a federal
formula for states with high unemployment rates. It provides for an
additional 14 weeks of federally funded EUC08 benefits. Currently,
Connecticut meets the criteria, but this could change should the state's
unemployment rate go down for a certain number of months.
3.
How
many weeks of extended benefits are established under Tier II?
14 weeks regardless of
effective date.
4.
How
do I apply for the 14 additional weeks of "Second-Tier" extended
benefits?
There is no application necessary. These "Second-Tier"
extended benefits will be provided automatically to those who have
used up their 26 weeks of state UI benefits and exhausted the first
federal extension (Tier I) on or before December 22, 2013,
provided they are otherwise eligible. The
final payable week under current law for all Tiers will be the week ending
12/28/2013. Therefore, any remaining EUC
balance in your account will NOT be payable for any
week subsequent to the week ending 12/28/2013.
5.
How do I know if and when I am eligible for the
14 additional weeks of "Second-Tier" extended benefits?
If Tier II is effective 9/2/12, or later, you will be mailed a monetary re-determination increasing
your total EUC08 benefit entitlement to 28 weeks. If Tier II is
effective earlier than 9/2/12, you will be mailed a monetary re-determination increasing
your total EUC08 benefit entitlement to 34 weeks.
The final payable week under current law for
all Tiers will be the week ending 12/28/2013.Therefore, any remaining EUC
balance in your account will NOT be payable for any
week subsequent to the week ending 12/28/2013.
6.
How do I file weekly claims for the 14 additional
weeks of "Second-Tier" extended benefits?
You may continue to file weekly claims as you have done
in the past, using our TeleBenefits and WebBenefits systems.
7.
How much will I be
provided each week if I need to collect these "Second-Tier"
benefits?
The
"Second-Tier" benefits will provide you with the same amount you were
eligible to collect under the state unemployment insurance program and the
"First-Tier" federal extended benefits program.
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Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC-08) Tier 3 FAQs
- 1.
Do I need to look for work while
filing for the federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation
(EUC08) Program?
UPDATED JANUARY 24, 2013-
The Middle Class Tax
Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 require that individuals who receive
Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits be able to work, available for
work and actively seeking work.
In order to
remain eligible for Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits you must:
Acceptable work search efforts are
generally considered to be a minimum of 3 employer contacts over a minimum
of 2 days within the week claimed.
You may be selected at
random for an audit of your work search efforts.
Click here for
a copy of the Report of Work-Seeking Activities form.
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2.
How many weeks of extended
benefitst are established under Tier III ?
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If the EUC Tier III effective date is
9/2/2012, or greater: 9 weeks.
If the EUC Tier III effective date is earlier than 9/2/2012: 13 weeks.
EUC08 Tier 3 is
provided to those states with a total unemployment rate of at least
6% over a three-month average; therefore, Connecticut qualifies
for additional weeks under EUC08 Tier 3.
In states where the
total unemployment rate is at least 9.0% over a three-month average,
the legislation provides for EUC08 Tier 4 -- an additional six weeks
of benefits. The three month average of Connecticut’s
seasonally adjusted total unemployment rate fell below the threshold
necessary to remain on Tier 4. Individuals must exhaust their Tier
3 EUC benefits no later than week ending February 18, 2012 in order
to be eligible for Tier 4 EUC benefits. Individuals who exhaust
their balance of Tier 3 EUC benefits after week ending February 18,
2012 will not be eligible for Tier 4 EUC benefits.The final payable
week under current law for all Tiers will be the week ending
12/28/2013.Therefore, any remaining EUC
balance in your account will NOT be payable for any
week subsequent to the week ending 12/28/2013.
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Emergency Unemployment Compensation
(EUC-08) Tier 4 FAQs
- 1.
Do I need to look for work while
filing for the federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation
(EUC08) Program?
UPDATED FEBRUARY 15, 2013-
The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 require that
individuals who receive Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits be able
to work, available for work and actively seeking work.
In order to remain eligible for Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits
you must:
Acceptable work search efforts are
generally considered to be a minimum of 3 employer contacts over a minimum
of 2 days within the week claimed.
Click here for
a copy of the Report of Work-Seeking Activities form.
You may be selected at random for
an audit of your work search efforts.-
2.
What is
the Tier IV program?
-
Eligibility for Tier IV benefits is based on a state’s three
month average of its seasonally adjusted total unemployment rate being 9% or
greater.
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3.
What is the effective date when Tier 4 benefits are first
payable ?
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Connecticut triggered onto Tier IV benefits effective Sunday,
12/9/2012. The first payable week is the week ending 12/15/2012.
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4.
How
many weeks of extended benefits are established under Tier IV?
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10 weeks if the effective date of Tier IV is 12/9/2012, or
later. (6 weeks if the effective date of Tier IV was earlier than
12/9/2012.)
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5.
When will Tier IV End?
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The final effective date to establish Tier IV is Sunday, March
10, 2013. In order to establish Tier IV an individual would need to
fully exhaust Tier III by the week ending 3/9/13.
Once Tier IV is established an individual may continue to receive Tier IV
benefits until their 10 week Tier IV balance is exhausted. However, the final
payable week under current law for all Tiers will be the week ending
12/28/2013.
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6.
How do I apply for Tier IV EUC benefits?
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Individuals who have exhausted Tiers I, II & III from the same
benefit year should be mailed a letter and a Tier IV EUC Application.
The completed application must be returned in order to be processed onto
Tier IV. For all other individuals, once you fully exhaust Tiers I, II
and III you will be automatically transitioned onto Tier IV.
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7.
Why did my Weekly Benefit Amount change when I
was processed onto Tier IV benefits?
A Weekly Benefit Amount is calculated for each unemployment
insurance Benefit Year. If you are eligible for EUC on more than one
benefit year, you must receive benefits from the earlier benefit year
first.
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