08/27/2021
CT Dept. Of Labor Reminds Filers Of End Of Federal Benefits
CARES Act Programs End September 4, 2021
(Wethersfield, CT) – Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) Interim Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo is reminding unemployment filers that federal CARES Act benefits are expected to expire next week. The CARES Act established multiple unemployment benefit programs for people who faced sudden job loss when businesses shut down due to COVID-19. In addition, the federal High Extended Benefits (HEB) program will end in Connecticut on September 11, 2021.
Commissioner Bartolomeo said, “This job market provides a lot of opportunity for job seekers. There are thousands of jobs being added weekly, so it’s a very good time for people to find that great new job—or even launch a new career. For the past several months, the number of claimants filing for unemployment benefits has been dropping; that’s good news for businesses and for the economy. For residents who are using unemployment programs after September 4, we urge you to prepare for the changes on the horizon.”
Federal unemployment programs that expire on September 4, 2021 include:
- Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) $300/week supplement for all filers;
- Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC). Filers eligible to transition to regular state unemployment or extended benefits will be notified by email with instructions on how to file;
- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA); and
- Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation (MEUC).
Some filers may have open claims in the adjudications or appeals processes and may still be eligible for payments for weeks prior to 9/4/21.
PUA claimants are allowed to submit applications until October 6, 2021 for benefit weeks occurring prior to September 4, 2021. The weeks being paid must fall before the federal expiration (9/4/21), but claimants have an additional 30 days in which to file.
High Extended Benefits End September 11, 2021
Currently, Connecticut’s three-month average unemployment rate is below 8%, which means the state has triggered off High Extended Benefits—a seven-week extension program for filers who have exhausted regular state employment and extended benefits programs. In accordance with federal law, the last HEB payment will go out by September 11, 2021.
CTDOL has additional information for claimants on our website. Filers with questions on their specific benefits to call the Consumer Contact Center or schedule an appointment on www.FileCTUI.com.
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Media Contact:
CTDOL Communications Unit
200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, CT 06109-1114
Email: CTDOL.SocialMedia@ct.gov | http://www.ct.gov/dol