Connecticut law requires that you must search for work each week to receive unemployment benefits. Keep records of your job search activities.

Report your work search activities online when you file your weekly claim. You won't see these questions if CTDOL has determined that you are exempt from the work search requirement. 

Each week, you must do at least three (3) work search activities, including at least one (1) employer contact.
Acceptable combinations include:

• Three (3) employer contacts, or
• Two (2) employer contacts AND One (1) other work search activity, or
• One (1) employer contact AND Two (2) other work search activities.

Work search activities can be in person or online and include: 

• Contacting an employer for full-time work.
  • At least one (1) employer contact is required.
  • A job interview counts as an employer contact. 
• Attending a workshop through an American Job Center.
• Going to a job fair.
• Participating in reemployment services through an American Job Center.
• Creating and uploading a resumé on CTHires, Connecticut’s job bank.
• Making a profile on a professional networking site.
• Additional examples of acceptable work search activities can be found on the Examples of work search activities page.

No. If CTDOL has found that you are participating in approved training for the weeks you are filing for benefits, you do not need to do work search activities for those weeks. 

Yes. If any of the following apply to you, you don’t need to search for work:

• You’ll return to work with your last employer within 13 weeks. 
• You’re a trade union member and are required to search through the union hall.
• You’re participating in a shared work program approved by CTDOL. 
• You’re on jury duty.
• You have a new job that will start within 13 weeks.

You may be asked to submit documentation if any of these apply to you. 

Yes. Keep all documents related to each work search activity for at least three (3) years from the date you completed the activity. CTDOL may ask to review them at any time. Here is a sample tracking log. 

• Date of a work search activity
• Information on the employer you contacted (business name, contact person, website/email address, phone number) 
• The position you applied for and a copy of the job posting, if available 
• The result of the work search activity
• Proof of application or resumé receipt if you applied online
• A copy of the workshop or job fair flyer

Yes. You must search for full-time work. Be sure to report any gross earnings from part-time work.

Yes. If CTDOL has determined, based on medical documentation, that you are only available for part-time work, you must search for work and report your work search activities with your weekly claims.

If you still have questions or need further assistance, please contact the CTDOL Consumer Contact Center.