Posted on July 17, 2020
Due to the pandemic, the Connecticut Department of Labor has been working to process a record number of unemployment claims, reduce wait times and system backlogs and provide much-needed assistance to struggling Connecticut workers.
Recently, the department announced that a new customer contact center is open and operational, and there’s a new, virtual assistant option for online assistance. The department also announced an updated website and contact numbers for those making claims.
NEW DOL Consumer Contact Center now operational
- Federal money was used to create an additional system where people can access DOL via phone, email, chat, text.
- New website debuted July 6 – www.filectui.com
- New virtual assistant “Tina” is preloaded with FAQs and technology that “learns” from additional/new Q&As. For example, when you go to www.filectui.com “Ask DOL” now appears in the lower right corner. Click there for “Tina” the Virtual Assistant.
New contact phone numbers
- NEW PHONE NUMBERS for assistance with unemployment benefits.
- 8:30 am to 4:00 pm Monday – Friday (excluding holidays)
- Local Access 860-967-0493 and 203-941-6868 – Toll Free 800-956-3294
The new system can handle many more callers than the previous system that had a limited capacity. There are 120 federally-funded employees (CARES Act) trained and capable of handling individual UIC cases.
Updated DOL Statistics
Since March, the Department has processed the equivalent of 5 normal years of applications, and has cut claims processing time from 6 weeks down to to 2-3 weeks. Currently, the Department is experiencing delays as a result of having to implement new federal programs.
- 708,000 applications have been received since March 13
- 685,000 applications have been or are being processed
- 300,000 continued weekly claims (includes both state and fed programs)
- A total of $3.8 billion in state & federal benefits have been paid
- $1.15 billion in state benefits
- $133 million in federal PUA benefits ($416 million if the add’l $600 is included)
- $61 million in federal PEUC benefits (13 add’l weeks)
- $2.46 billion in federal FPUC (add’l $600/week) – set to expire July 25 (though discussions continue re extension)
- $164,000 in state extended benefits
- $1.8 million in federal extended benefits
