- Claimants for unemployment compensation must be unemployed through no fault of their own. In Connecticut, workers who are out of work due to job elimination or a lack of work are eligible for benefits. The state will schedule a hearing for claimants out of work for other reasons. Claimants who quit a position must show there was good cause for leaving employment. A good cause for leaving employment would include quitting to care for a child, parent or spouse with a disability or illness. Employees who were fired from a position for willful misconduct or theft are not eligible for unemployment benefits in Connecticut. Connecticut also requires claimants to be available for work and able to perform a job.
- The Connecticut Department of Labor calculates the weekly benefit amount and monetary eligibility using the first four of the last five quarters. To calculate the weekly benefit, the state divides the average of the two highest quarters by 26. The total amount earned during the base period must be a minimum of 40 times the weekly benefit amount. The unemployment compensation program also pays $15 for every dependent. Claimants cannot have more than five dependents and the amount paid cannot be higher than the weekly benefit rate. The state of Connecticut pays unemployment benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks, but during times of high unemployment may offer extensions to claimants. The maximum weekly benefit amount is $555 as of January 2011, according to the Connecticut Department of Labor.
- To file a claim for unemployment compensation in Connecticut, the claimant must supply a Social Security number, name, address and telephone number. The claimant should also supply the name, address, telephone number and dates of employment for the employer during the last two years. Employers may provide the claimant with a separation package or notice, which can guide the individual through the filing process.
- Connecticut requires recipients of unemployment compensation to be available and prepared for work during the time they collect benefits. The state may require claimants to attend employment services to assist in the job search. Those who fail to respond or report to an employer or the Career Center may become ineligible for unemployment compensation. The state does not specify a number of employer contacts in a week for claimants, but does periodically review unemployment compensation recipients to determine if they are making reasonable efforts to find new employment.
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