COVID-19 Update – May 7
New System for Self-Employed to Apply for the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Program
The Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) announced last week that it has begun accepting claim applications for the self-employed, many of whom are eligible to collect unemployment insurance (UI) benefits under the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program.
It’s a two-step process for self-employed individuals, including independent contractors and “gig” workers. Please read before you begin a new application:
Step 1.) Beginning April 30: Applicants may file a regular state claim application with the CTDOL at www.filectui.com, using the BLUE button to file.
- NOTE: Self-employed individuals who already filed a claim through this system should not file again.
Step 2.) Applicants will receive a UC-58 Monetary Determination in the mail
- Once received, applicants may file using the PUA system at www.filectui.com. There will be a new, RED button for these claims.
- Please note that CTDOL has been regularly missing its promised dates, and the PUA system is not yet live, although it has been promised by the end of this week.
The CTDOL has released a more detailed set of instructions for self-employed individuals to file for UI. Please click here to access the CTDOL document. I will also keep you updated as more information becomes available on the PUA system.
K-12 Classes to Remain Closed for Remainder of Academic Year
On Tuesday, Governor Lamont announced that K-12 public school facilities will remain closed for the 2019-2020 school year. Distance learning will continue, and schools will still be required to provide meals to children under the school lunch and breakfast programs for consumption at home, as they have been throughout this emergency.
The governor continues to consult with local and state education officials regarding whether summer school programming should commence as scheduled. Guidance is anticipated toward the end of this month.
State Launches Free Online Job Training Program
On Monday, Governor Lamont announced the statewide expansion of the SkillUp CT program, which makes free online learning licenses available to recipients of unemployment insurance, including those who have been impacted by the economic fallout of the COVID-19 outbreak.
SkillUp CT will significantly expand access to comprehensive online coursework from a leading global provider for thousands of Connecticut residents.
Click here to access SkillUp CT.
Honoring Local Heroes
National Nurses Week began yesterday, May 6th, and this year, the celebrations carry special significance. While many of us are able to remain safe in our homes, our frontline workers, including our nurses, are on-point every day, putting their health at risk to care for the sick. Please join me in a heartfelt thank you to our nurses, as well as all first responders, healthcare workers, and other front-liners who are responding to emergencies, treating patients, and keeping supply chains open while we battle the COVID-19 pandemic.
In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, it’s even more important to thank our educators, who, despite school closures, have stepped up BIG to transition our students to a new virtual setting. Keep up the great work, and know it can only get better for the 2020-2021 school year. With kindness, skills, and concern, we can be confident that our future generations are in good hands.