July 17, 2020

Rep. Kennedy: Updated Department of Labor Info – New Contact Numbers

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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