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Connecticut unemployment: what to file, what you will receive, and what comes next.

Connecticut unemployment is run by the Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL). If you were laid off through no fault of your own, you almost certainly qualify. The benefit is funded by employer payroll taxes, not by your past paychecks — so receiving it is not 'taking' anything from anyone, and it does not reduce future Social Security or any other program. File the same week you are laid off. Connecticut adds a small dependent allowance per qualifying child, and weekly amounts adjust each October based on the statewide average wage. This page is for general guidance only and is not legal or financial advice.

The key numbers

The numbers you can expect.

Weekly amount
Up to roughly $780 per week before the dependent allowance, calculated from your base-period earnings — confirm current figure with the state agency
Duration
Up to 26 weeks of regular state benefits in most cases
Waiting period
No unpaid waiting week — Connecticut does not require one for most claimants

How to file

The filing order.

  1. 01

    Gather your information before you start

    You will need your driver's license or state ID, your Social Security number, your most recent employer's name and address, your last day of work, the reason for separation, and dependent information if you are claiming the dependent allowance.

  2. 02

    Create an account on ReEmployCT

    Connecticut moved to a modern claimant portal called ReEmployCT in 2022. Go to reemployct.dol.ct.gov, create an account, and verify your identity before starting the claim itself.

  3. 03

    File your initial claim

    The claim takes about thirty minutes. Be precise on the dates and the reason for separation — most delays come from inconsistent dates between your application and what your former employer reports.

  4. 04

    File weekly continued claims

    Connecticut requires a weekly continued claim confirming you are unemployed, able to work, and have searched for work. Miss the window and your payment pauses. Set a recurring calendar reminder.

  5. 05

    Track three work-search activities per week

    Connecticut generally requires three work-search activities each week, with registration on CTHires. Keep a simple log of applications, networking calls, and workshops — CTDOL can ask to see it during a review.

Official state resource

File and manage your claim at Connecticut Department of Labor (portal.ct.gov/dol).

A note on health coverage

Before the gap opens.

Health coverage usually ends at the end of your separation month. You will be offered COBRA — the right to keep your employer plan for up to 18 months at the full premium plus a small admin fee. COBRA is often two to three times what you were paying. Before signing up, compare it to an Access Health CT plan with an income-based subsidy. Connecticut runs its own marketplace, and most laid-off Connecticut residents qualify for a real subsidy that makes a marketplace plan cheaper than COBRA. You have 60 days from the loss of coverage to enroll either way.

This page is for general guidance only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice.

Questions

Common questions

How much is unemployment in Connecticut?

Connecticut unemployment pays up to roughly $780 per week before a small additional allowance for dependents, calculated from your base-period earnings. Confirm your specific weekly amount in your monetary determination letter — the cap adjusts each October based on the statewide average wage. Treat the benefit as a floor while you continue your search.

How long can I receive Connecticut unemployment?

Up to 26 weeks of regular state benefits in most cases. During recessions, federal extensions sometimes add additional weeks, but plan based on the regular 26-week limit. If you are still searching at week 20, that is the point to recalibrate strategy — not to assume an extension will arrive.

Is COBRA worth it in Connecticut?

Often not. COBRA charges the full premium plus a small admin fee, which is usually two to three times what you were paying as an employee. Most laid-off Connecticut residents qualify for a subsidised Access Health CT plan that costs less than COBRA and offers similar coverage. Compare both before enrolling — you have 60 days from loss of coverage to choose.

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