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INSTRUCTIONS TO FILE PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE (PUA)

Currently, those who may file for PUA include individuals who are not eligible for regular Unemployment Compensation (UC), Pandemic Extended Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), or Extended Benefits (EB), who are unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable or unavailable to work due to one of the COVID-19 related reasons, and are one (or more) of the following:
  • Self-employed
  • 1099 and "gig" workers
  • Workers in jobs not covered by regular unemployment benefits. Example: Some employees of religious institutions may not be covered by regular unemployment benefits
  • Peace Corps volunteers
  • Other individuals who are attached to the labor force but are not covered by regular unemployment benefits
  • Disqualified for regular UC, PEUC, or EB


**Note that you must file for regular UC first and be found monetarily ineligible (Benefit rate of $0.00) or have been disqualified in order to file for PUA**



Instructions for Individuals who have NOT Filed for Regular Unemployment Benefits

  1. Access File CT UI and follow instructions to file claim for unemployment benefits
    • Please wait 3-5 business days for your claim to be processed.
    • Please do not file for PUA until you receive a Monetary Determination (Forum UC-58) in the mail indicating you are monetarily ineligible for regular benefits
    • **If the monetary determine indicates you are eligible for regular benefits, follow instructions to file regular benefits
  2. Access the Connecticut Tax and Benefits System to create an account to choose your Payment Option (Direct Deposit or Debit Card.
    • Note: If you do not choose a Payment Option, you will automatically be defaulted to Debit Card.
    • Note: You can complete this step immediately after filing for regular benefits. If you do not choose your Payment Option until after you receive your Monetary Determination (Forum UC-58), please wait one additional business day for processing your Payment Option before filing for PUA.
  3. Click here for instructions to file PUA in the ReEmployCT stystem.


Instructions for Individuals who HAVE Filed for Regular Unemployment Benefits and  received a Monetary Determination indicating you are monetarily ineligible for regular benefits, or have received a disqualification
  1. If you haven't chosen your Payment Option (Direct Deposit or Debit Card), please do so prior to filing for PUA
    • Access the Connecticut Tax and Benefits System to create an account to choose your Payment Option (Direct Deposit or Debit Card.
      • Note: If you do not choose a Payment Option, you will automatically be defaulted to Debit Card.
      • Note: If you haven't yet chosen your Payment option, after doing so please wait one additional business day for processing your Payment Option before filing for PUA.
  2. Click here for instructions to file PUA in the ReEmployCT system.


FILING FOR PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

Note: You must have filed for regular unemployment benefits, and received a Monetary Determination (Forum UC-58) in the mail indicating you are monetarily ineligible for regular benefits or have been disqualified from benefits before proceeding.

Filing for PUA from the ReEmployCT System

**Please read this section thoroughly, and keep it available for reference when filing your PUA Application **

The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program is managed in a system separate from the regular unemployment system, called ReEmployCT. The ReEmployCT system is a integrated system where you will apply for PUA benefits, and file your weekly PUA certifications to be paid your weekly PUA benefits.
  1. When accessing the ReEmployCT system the for first time, click the "Create PUA Account" button and answer the questions to create your account.
  2. After submitting your account, you will be navigated back to the ReEmployCT log-in page.
  3. Log into your PUA account by entering your User ID and Password.
  4. Verify your email address.
  5. To file your PUA application, click Unemployment Claim → Pandemic Assistance (PUA) → File PUA Claim.
    • For individuals who are not monetarily eligible for regular unemployment compensation:
      Individuals who are not monetarily eligible for regular benefits initially receive the minimum PUA weekly benefit rate ($198, prior to qualified dependency allowance). To qualify for a higher benefit rate based off of your earnings, you must enter your 2019 earnings, by calendar quarter, and upload proof of earnings. Your entered earnings and proof will be evaluated by CTDOL and a determination will be made if your weekly benefit rate can be recalculated. To be considered, proof of earnings may be uploaded within 21 days of submitting your PUA application. But for the quickest evaluation, we advise that you upload earnings during the application process. Please do not mail or fax any tax document directly to CTDOL. You must upload your documentation for it to be considered.
        If entering your 2019 wages, please note:
        • If self-employed, include the name and address of your business. If your earnings for one or more quarters were zero ($0.00) or negative, enter 0.00 in the appropriate quarter(s). Please use NET (after deductions)earnings figures.
        • If you work several "gig" jobs or you aren't formally self-employed but you work many odd jobs, you may add all earnings for the year and enter the quarterly aggregate (the sum of your income for each quarter). Please use NET (after deductions) figures. Enter your name and address as the Name and Address of Employer.
        • If you worked for an employer who is exempt from paying unemployment taxes (such as a religious institution), enter the employer's name and address, and enter your quarterly earnings. Please use gross (before deductions) earnings.
        • If you work for an employer who is not exempt from paying employment taxes, enter the employer's name and address, and enter your quarterly earnings. Please use gross (before deductions) earnings.
        • If you had no employment and earnings in 2019, you do not need to enter any wages. So long as you are otherwise eligible, your weekly benefit rate will remain at $198.
        Uploading proof of earnings.
        Acceptable formats are .PDF, .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .tif, .tiff, .jpe, .jpg, .jfif, and .jpeg. The size of each uploaded document is limited to 2 MB and may include:
        • W-2's
        • Schedule C
        • Schedule E
        • 1099's
        • Other tax and wage forms
  6. Complete and submit the PUA application.


When your PUA eligibilty determination is made, you will be notified by email that you have correspondence in your ReEmployCT account. Access your ReEmployCT account to view the correspondence from the Home Page by clicking → Correspondences → Claimant Correspondences → Benefits, and clicking the Search button.
  • Please note, depending on your answers, you may be contacted by a CT DOL staff member to help determine your eligibility for PUA. If found ineligible, you may appeal this decision.


Weekly Certifications

To continue to receive your benefits, you must file weekly certifications. Starting with the next calendar week after you submitted your PUA application (as early as Sunday), you will need to access the ReEmployCT system and submit a Weekly Certification.
  • From the your account home page, click Weekly Certification → File Weekly Certification, and answer each question. You will be answering the questions for the previous calendar week.



Benefits Rights and Responsibilities

Before applying for PUA, you must read and understand your Benefits Rights and Responsibilities. Click the Continue button below to view your Benefits Rights and Responsibilities, and then you may proceed to file your PUA application.

 

 

Back to PUA Home Page


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