10/04/2022
CT Dept. Of Labor Provides Updates On Weekly Benefit Rate Increase And Resources For Job Seekers; Warns Residents Of Text Fraud Schemes
(Wethersfield, CT) – Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo today announced that to better assist job seekers, CTDOL has launched a new one-stop page for vetted employer recruitment events and CTDOL-sponsored job fairs. Additionally, the agency reports an $18 increase in the unemployment weekly benefit rate for initial claims effective on or after October 2, 2022. CTDOL continues to urge residents to beware of text messaging scams.
Commissioner Bartolomeo said, “CTDOL does not do unemployment claims work over text. The best way to check the status of your account is to navigate through the ReEmployCT pages on our website and, if you have questions about your account, call the Consumer Contact Center. We urge residents to take the time to use the official CTDOL resources we have listed here and avoid being a victim of text scams.”
Common phishing themes include texts that urge people to log into illegitimate links; texts that threaten to withhold weekly benefits until an account is validated; and texts that notify users that a change has been made to their unemployment account. All of these fraudulent texts contain a link to websites that may look similar to, but are not, CTDOL pages. Filers should use best practices to keep their accounts safe. Visit the CTDOL fraud page for additional information or call the Consumer Contact Center for assistance.
OFFICIAL AND SAFE DIRECT LINKS TO CTDOL RESOURCES:
www.ReEmployCT.com: ReEmployCT informational pages for filers and employers with access to ReEmployCT account pages.
www.FileCTUI.com: Consumer Contact Center and unemployment information. Claimants can call in for service or make an appointment online for a call back.
www.JobCenterCT.com: American Job Center information with access to all American Job Centers; appointment scheduling for job seekers; information for recruiting employers; and links to other services.
Portal.ct.gov/dol: CTDOL homepage with direct links to unemployment, tax and wage information for employers, fraud prevention resources, job search information, agency press releases, and more.
NEW ONLINE RESOURCES FOR JOB SEEKERS, EMPLOYEES FACING LAYOFF, AND UNEMPLOYMENT FILERS:
With approximately 90,000 jobs available in Connecticut, CTDOL is pleased to offer comprehensive and robust programs for job seekers through the American Job Centers and other programs. Recently, the agency launched a new webpage to provide one location that offers both vetted employer recruitment events from CTHires and CTDOL-sponsored job fairs.
On Thursday, October 6, 2022, the Consumer Contact Center’s www.FileCTUI.com page will get a new look that streamlines claim filing and appointment scheduling and improves how mobile users interact with the page. Get a sneak peek at the new page on Wednesday at www.ReEmployCT.com.
For employers considering layoffs, CTDOL has several resources available to assist. The CTDOL Rapid Response team can provide specific employment and support to businesses as well as directly to employees who may be facing a layoff. Additionally, the CTDOL Shared Work program can help prevent layoffs by allowing employers to temporarily reduce employee hours and supplement lost wages with partial unemployment benefits.
INCREASE TO WEEKLY BENEFIT RATE:
The unemployment weekly benefit rate for filers with a new benefit year beginning on or after October 2, 2022, will increase by $18 to a maximum rate of $703 per week. This change applies to new benefit year claims only and does not impact current active claims. The dependency allowance remains $15 per dependent to a maximum of $75 per week. Currently, Connecticut has approximately 19,000 unemployment filers.
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Media Contact:
CTDOL Communications Unit
200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, CT 06109-1114
Email: ctdol.communications@ct.gov | http://www.ct.gov/dol