State of Connecticut Unemployment Insurance Benefit Extensions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
 

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.

• Extended Benefits (EB) UPDATED MAY 10, 2012
• Extended Benefits (EB) Work Search Reporting Requirements
• Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC-08):
  • Tier 1 UPDATED FEBRUARY 24, 2012
  • Tier 2
  • Tier 3 UPDATED FEBRUARY 1, 2012
• Federal Additional Compensation

1.  What is the Extended Benefits (EB) program?

EB is a federal/state program that allows for additional weeks of unemployment compensation benefits during periods of high unemployment in the state.  Connecticut's unemployment rate "triggered" the program effective February, 15, 2009.

EB is precluded by any EUC08 benefit eligibility. In other words, EB cannot be paid until you exhaust all regular and EUC08 benefits.
 

2.  How long is the EB program in effect?  UPDATED APRIL 4, 2012

EB can only be paid during an Extended Benefit Period.  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.
 

3.  Who is eligible to collect EB?

Claimants who:

• Are totally or partially unemployed.
• Have exhausted all Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC08) entitlement and are not eligible for regular UI benefits against any state or eligible for benefits from Canada.
• Meet the eligibility requirements of the law and are not disqualified.
   

4.  How much will I collect under the EB program?

Your Weekly Benefits Amount (WBA) will be the same as it was for UI and EUC08.  EB provides for an additional 13 weeks of unemployment compensation benefits.  Connecticut’s High Unemployment Period will end on April 21, 2012 (Average Total Unemployment Rate is at or above 8.0% for a 3 month period).  This means that an additional 7 weeks of High Extended Benefits (HEB) is available for a total of 20 weeks of EB/HEB through week ending April 21, 2012.  As of week ending April 28, 2012 Connecticut will no longer be in a High Unemployment Period, and the maximum allowable EB will revert to 13 weeks.
 

5.  Do I need to apply for EB?

No, when all EUC08 benefits are exhausted, claimants will be mailed an EB monetary determination. The mailing will also include an informational fact sheet about the filing and work search requirements for EB, along with a sample "Report of Work-Seeking Activities" (EB-230M).  This new report of your work search efforts can also be downloaded from the agency's Web site. The informational fact sheet is important because the work search requirements for EB differ substantially from the regular state eligibility requirements that you have been subject to up until now.
 

6.  When will I receive EB?

Those who qualify and who have already collected 26 weeks of state UI benefits, as well as the 33 weeks of EUC08 benefits, will automatically have their account balance updated for another 13 weeks, for a total of 72 weeks. Eligible claimants will be mailed a monetary determination explaining the calculation of the increased balance. (There is an exception for Interstate Claims, see question below).

Because the first group of eligible EUC08 claimants will exhaust their 33^rd week of emergency benefits on April 11, 2009, the first payable week of EB will be the week ending April 18, 2009.
 

7.  Is EB different if I am filing an interstate claim?  Which states are currently on EB?  UPDATED MAY 10, 2012

Although Connecticut may have an EB period in effect, some states may not. The law provides that claimants collecting benefits from Connecticut through an Interstate claim are eligible for two weeks of EB unless the state in which they reside is also on EB.  In that case, they would be potentially eligible for the full 20 weeks, as are claimants filing against Connecticut but residing in Canada.  Currently, the following states have triggered on to EB:
 

State	End Date	State	End Date	State	End Date
ALABAMA	04/21/2012	KANSAS	04/07/2012	NORTH CAROLINA	05/12/2012
ALASKA	05/12/2012	KENTUCKY	04/07/2012	OHIO	04/07/2012
ARIZONA	06/11/2011	MAINE	02/18/2012	OREGON	04/07/2012
ARKANSAS	09/26/2009	MASSACHUSETTS	04/07/2012	PENNSYLVANIA	05/12/2012
CALIFORNIA	05/12/2012	MARYLAND	04/21/2012	PUERTO RICO	12/18/2010
COLORADO	05/12/2012	MICHIGAN	02/18/2012	RHODE  ISLAND
CONNECTICUT	05/12/2012	MINNESOTA	01/14/2012	SOUTH CAROLINA	04/07/2012
DELAWARE	04/21/2012	MISSOURI	04/07/2012	TENNESSEE	04/07/2012
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA		MONTANA	06/19/2010	TEXAS	05/12/2012
FLORIDA	05/12/2012	NEVADA		VERMONT	07/10/2010
GEORGIA	04/21/2012	NEW HAMPSHIRE	08/14/2010	VIRGINIA	05/14/2011
IDAHO		NEW JERSEY		WASHINGTON	04/21/2012
ILLINOIS	05/12/2012	NEW MEXICO	01/28/2012	WEST VIRGINIA
INDIANA	04/21/2012	NEW YORK		WISCONSIN	04/07/2012
*updated 05/04/2012

8. How will I know when the state "triggers off" the EB program and these benefits are no longer available?  UPDATED APRIL 3, 2011

Once Connecticut triggers "on" to extended benefits, the program remains in effect for at least 13 weeks. After those 13 weeks, if the EB program is scheduled to trigger off you will be advised when this will take place.
 

9. Is EB subject to taxes?

EB payments are taxable and subject to voluntary withholding.
 

10. Will I file for EB the same way I did for regular UI and for EUC-08?

YES, claimants will file by using the TeleBenefits (IVR) system or online on the Web, using the continued claims options.
HOWEVER, the availability and work search requirements for EB are more stringent than other unemployment programs. Claimants will be required to maintain written evidence of their work search efforts, which will be subject to verification by representatives of the Connecticut Department of Labor.
They must:

• actively seek full time work throughout the week.
• Make efforts to find work on at least two (2) days each week.
• Contact a minimum of three (3) employers each week.
• Keep a written record, for each effort, of:
  • Employer name, address, phone number, contact person
  • Position/type of work sought
  • Date and method of contact
  • Result of contact
• Apply for and accept suitable work, which is defined as:
  • Work that pays more than the claimant's EB weekly benefit amount
  • Work that pays at least the higher of the state or federal minimum wage.

When you are mailed your monetary entitlement form EB-58, it will also include an informational notice explaining the special qualifying requirements to receive EB, as well as form EB-230. This form, "Report of Work-Seeking Activities," can also be downloaded from the agency's Web site.
 

11. Does EB have special disqualifications?

Yes. Failure to meet the EB work search requirements or to accept suitable work in any given week will result in a denial of further benefits until you have worked in at least four (4) weeks and earned four (4) times your weekly benefit amount.
 

12. Are employers charged for EB?

Normally, EB costs are shared 50/50 between the federal government and the state. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) temporarily changed the cost allocation of EB for private sector employers. ARRA provides that the federal government will pay 100% of the cost of EB for weeks of unemployment through the week ending January 7, 2012 and for certain claimants with EB claims with effective dates on or before January 1, 2012 , for weeks with paid dates through the week ending June 9, 2012. HOWEVER, government and municipal employers and Indian Tribes and Tribal units, will still be charged 100% for EB claims.
 

13. If I do exhaust my 20 weeks of Extended Benefits (EB) and have still not found employment, are there any other services that can help me?

You can contact United Way's 2-1-1 program. This is a free referral service, with information about community services, basic needs assistance, crisis intervention and much more. 2-1-1 is toll-free from anywhere in Connecticut and it operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The service offers multilingual operators and TTY access. You can reach this service by calling 2-1-1.

1. 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.
 

2. 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;

• You have no rights to unemployment benefits from any other state, the federal government or Canada;

• You are legally authorized to work in the United States;

• You are able and available for and seeking employment.
   

3. When does the Emergency Unemployment Compensation program begin and end? UPDATED FEBRUARY 24, 2012

The program began July 6, 2008 and expires on January 3, 2013, with no phase-out period.
 

4. 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? UPDATED Marc 9, 2012

If you have not found employment while collecting state unemployment compensation, and you exhaust those state benefits by December 22, 2012, you will automatically be mailed instructions on how to file for the 20 weeks of extended benefits under the "First-Tier" program. Filing options include calling your TeleBenefits line option 6, or online at www.ct.gov/dol.
 

5. 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.
 

6. 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.
 

7. 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.
 

8. 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.
 

9. 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).
 

10. Where will my payment be sent?

Payments will be 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.
 

11. 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
 

12. 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.).
 

13. 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.
 

14. 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.
 

15. 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.
 

16. 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.

1.  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.
 

2.  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 the 20 weeks of the first federal extension on or before January 3, 2012, provided they are otherwise eligible.
 

3.  How do I know if and when I am eligible for the 14 additional weeks of "Second-Tier" extended benefits?

You will be mailed a monetary re-determination increasing your total EUC08 benefit entitlement to 34 weeks.
 

4.  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.
 

5.  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.

1.  Why am I no longer receiving the $25 Federal Additional Compensation benefit?

FAC is a temporary program that has reached its statutory end date of 12/7/10.  The last claim week that the supplemental $25 payment may be added to is 12/11/10.  FAC may not be added to week ending 12/18/10 or thereafter.
 

2.  What is FAC?

Federal Additional Compensation is a temporary, federally funded program that adds a supplemental $25 payment to each week of unemployment compensation benefits.  To be eligible, an individual must have established a new Unemployment Insurance claim with an effective date on or before 5/23/10.   The statutory end date of the FAC program is December 7, 2010, therefore, FAC cannot be added to any payment for week ending December 18, 2010 or later.
 

3.  Will I be taxed on this $25 stimulus payment?

The $25 is taxable as income, although there will not be withholding from the payment.  The total payment amounts will be included in your UC-1099G next January.
 

4.  As an employer, will I be charged for the additional $25?

No, the $25 stimulus payments are entirely federally funded.