Connecticut Unemployment Extension

Connecticut Unemployment Benefits

Occasionally, the state of Connecticut will provide extra benefits to people who are jobless and have utilized all of their regular Connecticut unemployment benefits, especially during times of high unemployment.

These programs are usually put into action when the unemployment rate in the state reaches a specific level or in the aftermath of natural disasters. The purpose is to extend financial assistance to those experiencing hardships caused by a difficult job market.

Are Extended Benefits currently available in Connecticut?

Connecticut is not currently participating in any Extended Benefits programs. Unemployed workers in Connecticut are currently eligible for 26 weeks of benefits.

You can use the Connecticut Unemployment Calculator to estimate how much unemployment compensation you may be eligible for.

Connecticut Extended Benefit (EB) Program Connecticut Unemployment Calculator

The Extended Benefits program is a federal program designed to provide extra assistance to individuals who have exhausted their regular unemployment compensation. In Connecticut, this program offers an additional 13 weeks of benefits to eligible workers.

These benefits are typically triggered when the state’s unemployment rate reaches 6.5% over a three-month period, and is 110% the rate of the same period in the previous two years.

Connecticut Additional Benefits

In addition to the federal Extended Benefits program, The Connecticut Department of Labor has established its own state-funded Additional Benefits program to provide 13 additional weeks of unemployment insurance to those who have exhausted their regular unemployment compensation. This program has the same qualifying circumstances as the federal program, but covers those who may not be eligible for federally-funded Extended Benefits.

Connecticut Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Connecticut Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is a program designed to provide financial support to individuals who have lost their jobs or experienced a reduction in work hours due to a declared disaster. When a major disaster, such as a hurricane, flood, or other catastrophic event, occurs and is recognized by the federal government, the Connecticut DUA program is activated.

The program offers assistance to those who are unemployed as a direct result of the disaster but aren’t eligible for regular unemployment benefits. The DUA program provides temporary financial relief to individuals and their families during the recovery period. Eligible workers can receive benefits such as weekly unemployment payments, assistance with job placement, and access to job training programs.

The program is funded jointly by the federal government and the state of Connecticut to ensure that those affected by disasters have access to financial resources during challenging times.

CARES Act and American Rescue Plan

The CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan are significant pieces of legislation passed by the U.S. government to provide economic relief and support in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These acts allocated funding to states to address various areas of need, including unemployment assistance.

Under the CARES Act, Connecticut received approximately $1.4 billion in federal funds to expand unemployment benefits, enhance eligibility criteria, and extend the duration of benefits. This allowed the state to provide additional financial support to workers who lost their jobs or faced reduced work hours due to the pandemic. The funds were also utilized to strengthen the administration and infrastructure of the UI benefits system, ensuring efficient processing of claims and timely disbursement of benefits.

Similarly, the American Rescue Plan Act allocated additional funding to Connecticut to further address the economic impact of the pandemic. The state received more than $2.6 billion in federal aid, a portion of which was directed toward unemployment assistance. These funds were used to extend the duration of benefits, increase benefit amounts, and expand eligibility criteria to support a wider range of workers affected by the pandemic-related job losses.

Furthermore, Connecticut utilized a portion of the funding to invest in job training programs and initiatives aimed at helping people transition back into the workforce.

The CARES Act and American Rescue Plan established several unemployment programs, including:

Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program was created as part of the CARES Act to provide unemployment benefits to workers who were not typically eligible for regular state unemployment insurance. It was designed to support self-employed workers, independent contractors, gig workers, and others who may not have traditional employment relationships.

The PUA program provided financial relief to those who were adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and faced challenges in finding work or sustaining their businesses.

Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation

In Connecticut, the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program provided extended unemployment benefits to individuals who had exhausted their regular state unemployment benefits. Eligible individuals in Connecticut could receive up to an additional 53 weeks of PEUC benefits, providing continued financial support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program assisted those who were still experiencing unemployment or reduced work hours beyond the duration of their initial benefits, providing them with an extended safety net during challenging times.

Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation

In Connecticut, the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program provided an additional $600 per week in UI benefits to eligible workers. This program was established as part of the CARES Act to provide enhanced financial support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The FPUC program alleviated the financial burden faced by unemployed workers in Connecticut by supplementing their regular unemployment benefits with an additional benefit amount.

Mixed Earnings Unemployment Compensation

The Mixed Earnings Unemployment Compensation (MEUC) program was introduced as part of the CARES Act. It provided additional benefits to individuals who had a mix of traditional employee wages and self-employment income, making them ineligible for regular state unemployment benefits.

The MEUC program supported individuals with diversified sources of income by providing them with financial assistance during the pandemic and acknowledging the unique circumstances they faced in the labor market.

These programs, as well as Connecticut’s participation in them, ended on September 4, 2021.

  1. I had worked for the same employer for 12 years a was laid off in February 2018. I started to receive my unemployment in April. Well just like everyone else the benefits ran out and I was told there is no extension.

    When I started I had benefits left from 2007 and now I exhausted 12 years of benefits? It seems like the state is running a scam on hard-working individuals that only want what they worked for!

    • As of October 2019 there is no extension in CT, and no plans for one. The legislature (and media) like to only focus on the unemployment rate – how many people are collecting, which is a low 3.7%. But that is less than half the underemployment rate of 7.8%. The Labor Force Participation Rate is even worse at a paltry 65%, The equivalent of many third world countries. Not that your elected officials care. They are too focused on donors and favors and think you should just go get a job at Walmart or the Amazon warehouse for $12-15 an hour. See you there.

    • is my name is Reginald Brown I was getting unemployment Donald Trump’s stopped extensions and it told me I was available July 27th 2019 on and it said I was eligible

      • Reginald,

        The E.U.C(Emergency Unemployment Compensation) remains expired. There is no extension available. Please inquire further with the labor authorities in your state by calling them.

    • My benefits just ran out in June, 2019 and there is still no extensions available due to the unemployment rate. I don’t think the powers that be realize that the rate may be low but it is because no one is leaving their jobs due to lack of employment elsewhere. There has been no growth in current area companies and no new businesses. I have been looking for a job for over a year and a half now, lucky if I get a thank you, no thank you letter. Most don’t respond to you at all. I am 54 years old and have been working since I was 17 and seriously how can my account already have no available funds in it? My employers paid this money so where is the rest of the amount they paid for me? Probably have to move out of CT state cause I simply can’t afford to live here.

    • My family is at that same point and we have kids to provide for.We keep applying for jobs but get no call back.We must have a list of hundreds of employers.Its difficult for sure.Is there a link to see if you can get an extension.We are trying to find it ourselves! Good luck

    • I was laid-off at the same exact time as you, is this in the Groton area lol?

      My benefits ended 6 months from April too. At the time it said no extensions will be granted due to the low unemployment rate. I wonder if that rate passed the threshold with the government shutdown…

  2. I am almost at the end of my 26 weeks – despite being close on several positions I believe that I will remain unemployed until at least after the holiday season… Is there any possible unemployment extensions currently available?

      • Uh..change that to Democrat lawmakers. there are no Republican lawmakers in Connecticut.
        It’s a Liberal problem.

    • Matt,

      The E.U.C(Emergency Unemployment Compensation) remains expired. There is no extension available. Please inquire further with the labor authorities in your state by calling them.

  3. Sad state of affairs. Worse than before. Employers do bait & switch..list a FT job when no actual job exists, and then tell you about low wage PT contract position! NO One In CT is mentioning whether the jobs added are livable wage jobs…my hourly wage is going backwards not stagnating!! Cant even get the PT contract work!! Pathetic. Do lie the few states that have an ACTUAL direct paste to a job…based on what the companies need ( On the Job training + community college classes to fill in training). so all, the state, the CC colleges and the companies create the path…if the applicant passes the course work and does OK on the OJT, the job is theirs…

  4. Why is this web page still open? The top implies that there is an Emergency Unemployment Benefit (EUB) but yet however the replier Sam keeps mentioning there is no EUB benefit any longer. There are no extensions at this time.
    For people trying to find work consider changing your profession to one in high demand like nurses aid, truck driver, machinist etc. In the summer you can also get a job working on the farm picking vegetables or doing landscaping.
    Also have your resume reviewed by a professional or smart friend and make sure to post on Indeed.com.

    • Heather,

      That is correct. Please call the Unemployment Office in your state to inquire about the availability of state sponsored extension.

  5. I received a letter in nov..saying I exhausted my unemployment insurance benefits…and said please note:there are no extensions available at that time….but it also stated I will be eligible to file a new claim after may 13 2017,and my eligibility will be determined at that time.would that be consider an extension..

    • Technically, it won’t be an extension.

      If they have told you in the letter, please call the Office to check the availability of UI benefits.

    • The E.U.C(Emergency Unemployment Compensation) remains expired. There is no extension available. Please inquire further with the labor authorities in your state by calling them.

  6. If you want to know WHY we no longer have unemployment extensions, ask your republican lawmakers.

    • All you people that voted republican & the corrupt Trump admin. hope you,re happy. All you Obama haters who help us with E.B s when we needed it most how you feeling about no extended benefits? This administration has already cut into our medicare & medicaid Not to worry the donor class, the top !% got thier tax breaks- how does that help you? Come to your senses -stop with the Fox news propaganda . We all need to #voteblue this november if we are to get any help when we lose a job , If you think medicare will be a sure thing when retirement comes around -think again, The rich are using the middle class to get richer & richer. This is a fact. Im 65 yrs old so really this is a warning for you people with many years ahead of you.

        • I completely agree. Someone has to get the word out there as to what is really going on in our job force, and not just simplifying it as “the unemployment rate is low”. They need to stop looking at the wrong numbers and listen to the people it is directly affecting. We are not complaining just to complain. The decision to ‘exhaust’ people’s unemployment funds was not made with all the factors. As it seems to be, it was barely made with 25% of them. I’m having to live at my dads, 54 year old single mom with two kids having to live at her retired father’s house. He can’t afford to support us but we have no where else to go. One of my sons is ready for college after his senior year in high school. How am I going to get him into a college? So now his life is adversely affected by this ridiculous decision.

  7. I am Shocked!!! I have lived in CT my whole life and had many issues with employers and now it happens again I lost my job in 2016 and have been applying and looking since then. After a hard fight with my employer, I have finally won Unemployment. I got some relief saying that it will carry out til October. I took a trip recently to another state to see if the workforce was better ANOTHER STATE CT!!! here that?!?!? do you? I’m sure you don’t care though. Anywho I just got back home to get a letter saying my unemployment is exhausted and I can reapply in October. Like so many others above I have been getting interviews and phone interviews, but no offers, and now I’m having a discussion with my soon to be wife of becoming homeless by June.So to me, Connecticut is saying hey you can lose your home but try to get help from us on the month your benefits should have ended in the first place. Well, all I can say is … Thank You, Connecticut so glad you help your own.

    • I recieved 26 weeks of unemployment from CT. At the end the system warned me I only had 2 weeks left. I then received a letter stating there are no extensions, and to contact 211. for the person above, Chris, you can apply to get Husky D medical, possible food stamps. Many are going to other states or creating their own businesses. What I have found is companies keep interviewing, and don’t hire for long lengths of time. They also have implemented all sorts of ways to make it harder for people to get jobs, like testing, and 1 way video interviews. Some of the jobs I applied to (all corporate) interviewed me for hours on end in person, and they have yet to hire anyone many month’s later. Write your state reps. I personally thing the unemployment rate in CT is worse than in 2009. Plus, the lowered salaries, discrimination, etc. Rent rooms, take any work, do what you have to.

      • Leslie,

        That is correct. Whether interviewing for a temp job or for permanent Employers are now wasting our time with a dragged out process but still making no offers. Background check, check references, no health coverage for 6 months , pay rates/hr up to $10 less than the competition, also ststing this is a urgent need but then wasting your time for 6 weeks then to tell you job is put on hold as the budget is frozen. I’ve taken to glassdoor and started registering interviews and outcome.

    • Christopher,

      I can understand your frustration. Please note this is a private forum and we do not have any connection with the Labor authorities. Perhaps, you can consider raising this issue with the Governor’s office.

  8. can you update us on the March 2017 unemployment extension for Connecticut. I have 7 weeks left, and like many have applied to over 160 jobs since Nov. 2016, I get interviews but no offers. I am also a solo home owner, if anyone knows if there’s a March extension, please post the info. for us. I can’t seem to find anything specific on it.

    • The E.U.C(Emergency Unemployment Compensation) remains expired. There is no extension available. Please inquire further with the labor authorities in your state by calling them.

      • I am amazed CT says the Market is better. This is the 4th time i’ve been in this situation, and I think it’s worse than 2009. At least then I could get a temp job. Now the pay scale is lower, and it’s pretty much impossible to get a basic job. I apply to jobs each day. I have 2 phone interviews this week. Connecticut needs to help workers over 40 and 50, as 26 weeks is not enough to find a job here. You have hundreds of applicants to each job. Now Trump is cutting all the programs that would help people like us survive. I am like the other person above, I’ve worked my whole life to buy a home, and pretty soon I will have no other choice but to cash in my retirement just to live. The unemployment numbers are not accurate because many have dropped off out of the count. This isn’t right. Pretty sad what things have come to. My advice is to contact 211, and try to get assistance.

  9. I am reading this and not understanding way there are no extensions . I have ran out of benefits on Dec 20 2016 . After working for 30 years with one employer. I am only able to collect 26 weeks I have applied for so many jobs and lost out to others because of my age , employers do not want to hire a 54 year old when they have 20 – 25 yrs old .. I work all my life to pay for a house and now will lose it thanks to the state of conn . I have tried to contact unemployment on the phone and all I get is there is a 2 hour wait please call again later 5 times a day . Day after day I think the unemployment office needs to hire some unemployed people . Maybe you can supple the numbers of the labor authorities .

    • I can understand your frustration. Well, the extensions are approved by the Congress. The states have little say in this regard.

    • The E.U.C(Emergency Unemployment Compensation) remains expired. There is no extension available. Please inquire further with the labor authorities in your state by calling them.

  10. The update indicates the extension is now in effect for Connecticut, but I’m uncertain of the date it was posted. My Connecticut benefits run out in early November. Is the EUC or EB now available? Thank you

    • The E.U.C(Emergency Unemployment Compensation) remains expired. There is no extension available. Please inquire further with the labor authorities in your state by calling them.

  11. I worked part time and had a busy week, but it wont last like this. do I get an extra week if i don’t put a a claim in this week. I still didn’t make close to what my benefits would be if i just sat at home. Plus it takes this organization a while to pay me. So essentially I’m asking will the state punish me for working that much?

    • A claim is only for a week. You will not be penalized for working extra.

      Please call the Claims Center for further information.

  12. My job was eliminated after 71/2years. It’s a very specific job in a career that’s not very big in CT. I was very lucky to have it then its gone so I go on unemployment as I search for a similar job so the benefits end and they say NO MORE MONEY NO MORE EXTENSION …WHAT??? how can I pay my rebt? I had a job that never gave me a raise in all those years hence no savings account I am scared since I have bills and no money and can’t find a job why is this? And they won’t give me welfare since I don’t have 9 kids by different baby daddy’s. Please explain why this is???? I’ve worked ALL MY LIFE so why am I being punished?

    • I can understand your frustration. EUC (Emergency Unemployment Compensation) remains expired and therefore no extension is available.

      You can call the Unemployment Office in your state to inquire about benefits in other form(s).

    • The E.U.C(Emergency Unemployment Compensation) remains expired. There is no extension available. Please inquire further with the labor authorities in your state by calling them.

  13. My benefits will run out at the end of the month is there extensions to apply for and how do I do that?

    • The E.U.C(Emergency Unemployment Compensation) remains expired. There is no extension available. Please inquire further with the labor authorities in your state by calling them.

  14. My unemployment benefit will end on March. I applied on October. On November, I was just given a week benefit but then they held it due to some to some information they need to further assess. Afterwards, they restarted it again on the 2nd week of this month. My benefit will expire on March and I’m wondering if I could apply for an extension or continuation of my benefit.There is still a good amount of money left that has not been used under my account. Can I apply for an extension?

    • There is no extension.

      To find out more about the monies in your account, please call the claims center on the phone numbers provided.

  15. How do I find out if I missed any of my exts. I lost my job in 2007 but I’m not sure if I received all my extensions I don’t recall collecting unemployment 2013.2014. Is there a way to find out I have applied everywhere for work and in ct employment is a disaster I believe the economy has not recovered even though the state says it has and that’s only because eveybody they cut off unemployment they don’t put on thier list.

    • Please note there is no extension available.

      For further information on your previous claim, please contact the Unemployment Office in your state.

  16. My unemployment runs out Dec.13,2015. I would like to know if I can re-apply for my benefit in CT. And how do I go about doing this.

    • The E.U.C(Emergency Unemployment Compensation) remains expired. There is no extension available. Please inquire further with the labor authorities in your state by calling them.

  17. My unemployment has ended on 8/10/15 could there be an extension available at this time. I appreciate your help.

  18. husband unemployment will run out in 2 weeks has been to and wrote down all 52 places he applied. He will be
    62 in sept and can still work can he get an extension? It seems his age is a factor.

    • Linda,

      There is no extension available across the country. Please inquire further with the labor authorities in your state.

  19. My 26 week benefit ends at the end of this month. are extended benefits available at this time.

  20. I am confused I was cut off from unemployment in ct and when I called they said there was no extension. Is there an Extension? How do I reapply?

    • There is no extension available at this time.

      If you have received your full benefits,that may be the end.

  21. I lost my benefits on or about January 12th after 26 weeks. To date I am still unemployed and was wondering if any extension as happened or will happen,also what should if I do to be proactive on this?

    • The extension is not yet approved fully.

      Please be pro active by keeping a track of national news in this regard and apply when/if extended.

  22. Will I be notified if Congress extends unemployment benefits? I have been unemployed since April of 2013, am disabled and just lost my benefits.

    • The unemployment benefits has just been extended to an additional 3 months by the congress.You may reapply with the local office or online.

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