Connecticut Unemployment Offices Customer Service Issues

I filed for unemployment on 2/2/20 and have been filing weekly. Some weeks, I received message #6, but on 2/29/20, I got message #34. My last day of work in Connecticut was 3/20/20, and I was officially laid off on 4/6/20 due to the business closing permanently. I reopened my claim on 3/29/20 following the covid-19 guidelines without a return to work date, as advised, using 4/15/20. I currently have two jobs, one in Massachusetts (where I reside) working 16 hours a week while my Connecticut job has ceased, leading to financial struggles as I haven't been paid since February. I seek assistance to resolve this unemployment issue promptly to catch up on my bills.

I applied as a self-employed, sole proprietor of a band on 4/30. 90% of my income comes from self-employment, and I also work as a high school paraprofessional. On 4/30, I completed step one for my self-employment portion of income for "regular unemployment" and was paid $[redacted] for the week ending 5/2/20. I received a monetary determination letter today but it only includes quarters through the Board of Education with no mention of my self-employment. I have not been asked for my [redacted] tax return to file via the "red button." I am worried that the system may think I am unemployed from the Board of Education, although I am working from home with students. I need guidance on how to proceed with filing weekly for my self-employed portion and clarification on my status to avoid having to return the funds. Your assistance in resolving this matter is greatly appreciated.

As an independent contractor now working from home, I have been receiving only about 10 hours per week. On 3/30/[redacted], I applied for unemployment benefits due to Covid-19 affecting my work. I received a determination letter stating my eligibility and an email on 4/24/20 to start filing weekly. I have been filing consistently, but I have not received any payments yet. The status shows Code 20, week held pending verification of 2nd benefit year. I rely on these benefits, as I am not returning to full-time work. My name is Ellen Waltman, you can reach me at [redacted] or [redacted].

At the end of March, I applied for unemployment benefits and got the first three weeks' payments through direct deposit. Later, I was informed to file online weekly, which I have been doing. Initially, I received the money promptly. However, for the past two weeks, I haven't received any payments. When checking the claim inquiry online, it shows that the money is on hold for those two weeks, with message code [redacted], but there is no explanation provided. I am desperate for that money and unable to find assistance or guidance on how to resolve this issue.

I submitted my unemployment claim on March 21st and received a "processed" email on April 4th. I believed I needed to wait for a letter to file weekly claims, resulting in missing two weeks. Realizing my error, I filed a new claim, but didn't receive a processed email. Multiple "missed weekly claim" forms submitted in April were never processed. I've only received $[redacted] since filing and am owed about $5,[redacted] more, including the $[redacted] weekly amount. I recently submitted a third claim and await processing. Though frustrated, I'm trying to remain calm. Unsure if I'll get help here, but thank you to anyone who reads this.

I am currently enrolled in the ReEMPLOY program and noticed a message on my PAU site regarding a break in my weekly certification filing. The notice indicates that I need to activate a claim for benefits before I can resume filing weekly certifications. However, I am unable to find the dropdown menu to file my weekly claim.

I am a 73-year-old former part-time employee at Dick's Sporting Goods. I was furloughed and started collecting unemployment benefits. Recently, I was called back to work and I reluctantly returned due to feeling vulnerable as a cashier amidst Covid-19 concerns. Despite Dick's efforts, such as plexiglass at the register, I still feel exposed to customers, especially with increased cash transactions and a small break room where masks are removed to eat. Although I thought I needed to go back, working full-time instead of part-time has complicated my unemployment status. I have been following CDC guidelines stating that individuals over 65, like myself, at high risk for severe illness from Covid-19 are not required to work. Can I continue filing for unemployment while working part-time this week, and next week resume filing as unemployed seeking work? Thank you for any guidance on this issue. -Robert F.

Hello, I recently returned to work after being unemployed due to Covid-19. In March, my employer applied for a PPP Loan. Even though we are not seeing patients at the Dental Office where I work, we have started doing minimal office work. Our first paycheck since returning was much lower than before the pandemic, though still higher than what I would get from the State of CT. I'm considering if I might be eligible for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program since my pre-Covid earnings were higher. I'd appreciate any guidance on what benefits I might qualify for and how to begin the process, as I already have an existing claim open. Thank you, Carrie W.

I encountered an issue when attempting to file my continuing claim on May 17, [redacted] due to error message ERR-[redacted]. The message states that I am not authorized to access this function. I was trying to file for the week of May 10-16, but the system locked me out of my account. I urgently need to resolve this problem to receive my benefits for financial support. I rely on this money to buy food, especially since I have food allergies like celiac disease and cannot rely on local food banks for help. It is crucial to address this issue promptly before it impacts my health and well-being.

I have worked in the restaurant industry consistently and recently changed jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic affecting my current employment and eligibility for unemployment benefits. Despite following instructions to file with my latest employer, I was approved benefits based on my previous employment at The Cue, leading to a benefit appeal and disqualification. I participated in a hearing where the Referee did not seem inclined to address the situation adequately. Subsequently, my benefits were cut off, and my appeal is pending without confirmation. I am facing financial strain and feel lost in seeking assistance from the Department of Labor. I wonder if there are other options available to rectify this situation. I am reaching out for help and guidance as a working individual impacted by these circumstances. If you need more details, please contact me at [redacted] or via email at [redacted] Thank you for your attention and support in resolving this issue. Sincerely, Mark W. S.

I have recently been laid off from my job at the Census due to Covid-19. I followed the instructions to file for unemployment on 4/05. The Department of Labor told me I should be receiving $96.00 plus an additional $[redacted].00 for Covid-19 pay, along with $[redacted].00 in back pay. However, I have not received any payments through direct deposit. While my colleagues are already receiving their payments, I seem to be stuck in a difficult situation. I am 73 years old, living on my own, and my financial situation at home is becoming increasingly desperate. I have always maintained excellent credit and paid my bills promptly, and I am eager to continue doing so. This is the first time I have ever had to file for unemployment benefits, and I am unsure of the process. I would greatly appreciate any assistance you could provide in resolving this issue promptly. If I do not receive the payments soon, I may be forced to look for work online and leave my position at the Census, where I work as a Field Supervisor at the New Haven Office. Thank you, L. deCarrone

I encountered difficulty logging in on the main page. Despite having my ID and password written down, I thought I might have forgotten them. However, when I attempted to recover my ID, I received an error stating that my SSN was not valid, even though I have been receiving benefits through the PUA. I managed to access my PUA account because I had saved my login details. Upon reviewing my information, I noticed that only the last four digits of my SSN are visible. I just need reassurance that you have the correct SSN on file, as I am unable to reach anyone by phone and am only directed to the website.

Hello, I am having trouble with my PUC unemployment benefits account. I recently had issues with my user name and password, ending up being locked out of my account. Even after resolving the lock, I am still unable to log in due to the same user name and password error. When attempting to reset my password, it was said that my email is incorrect. This is frustrating as I need to file my weekly claim. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, J. Torsiello

Hello, I recently transitioned from working in a public school to becoming a gig worker due to the schools shutting down. I applied for regular unemployment benefits and received a determination letter with a start date of 05/03/[redacted]. However, I also got a Key Bank card with no funds on it. I submitted my weekly claims as instructed in the letter but now I'm unsure if I should have applied for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) instead. I currently work from home on a part-time basis helping with distance learning, which I'm not sure if it qualifies as self-employment. When asked about self-employment in my weekly claim, I answered "no," but I'm unsure if that was the correct choice. Should I have filed back in March when the schools closed? Any guidance would be appreciated. Thank you.

I have been employed in the restaurant business consistently, with a recent job change from The Cue to Barbarie’s Black Angus Grill due to COVID-19. Despite filing for unemployment with Black Angus Grill's information, DOL approved benefits under The Cue's name. Upon attending a DOL hearing, the Referee seemed unhelpful and I was later disqualified for benefits. My appeal is pending, but I am unable to access PUA. I am facing financial difficulties and feel lost in the system. Contact with DOL has been unhelpful and frustrating. I am seeking guidance on how to proceed and feeling desperate for assistance. The situation is financially devastating, and I believe others may be in a similar position. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Hello, I wanted to share a brief update regarding my unemployment claim situation. I was laid off from my job in Massachusetts on May 1st, and subsequently faced issues with establishing eligibility for benefits due to wages being reported in Connecticut. After filing in Connecticut on May 29th, complications arose, including receiving a message on June 9th that there were no wages reported in Connecticut. I have reached out to Massachusetts to withdraw my claim there so that Connecticut can proceed with reviewing my case. Unfortunately, I have been unable to reach anyone at Connecticut unemployment and have not received any payments in 7 weeks. It's a challenging situation as I have a family to support. Any guidance or assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your help. Best regards, Anthony G. [redacted]

I have previously received unemployment checks from The Bridgewater Village Store. I successfully submitted and collected checks for my current claim, with the last payment received on 5/2/[redacted]. However, I have not received subsequent payments. I suspect this is due to changing my claim ID # and password. Linda Felix emailed me on June 8th, indicating I had not filed a claim since 5/2. Despite contacting her twice, I have not received a response. I have been unsuccessful in reaching a representative by phone. As I am still unemployed, I kindly request assistance in resolving this issue. Thank you for your attention to this matter. My direct deposit details are accurate. Regards, Roger A. Green 25 Maplewood Drive, New Milford, CT [redacted]. Cell phone: [redacted].

I previously received unemployment payments from Bridgewater Village Store. Recently, upon applying for my current claim, I have received checks up till May 2, [redacted]. However, I have not received subsequent checks. I suspect this issue may be due to me changing my ID# and password from my previous claim. I was contacted by Linda F. via email on June 8th stating that I haven't made a claim since May 2, [redacted]. Despite two emails to her, I haven't received a response. My attempts via phone have been unsuccessful. I am still unemployed and any assistance with this matter would be greatly appreciated. Just to note, my direct deposit information is correct. Thank you, Roger A. Green 25 Maplewood Drive New Milford, CT [redacted] Cell: [redacted] Email: [redacted]

I informed my employer that I planned to return after the 3rd phase of reopening in CT around July 20, [redacted]. I'm nearly 72 years old and considered high-risk for COVID-19, supported by a doctor's note. Despite this, my employer stated that I refused work and stopped my benefits. I disagree with this decision, even during my weekly claim submissions. It's crucial to note that answering "NO" to question 2 regarding refusing work is appropriate for individuals at high-risk or living with high-risk individuals. I was advised by an American Job Corps Service Representative to keep filing for benefits due to my valid reasons. I kindly request your input on this matter. Thank you for your assistance.

I am urgently seeking assistance as I have not received payment in three months. I need to contact a live representative at the CT unemployment offices. It appears there may have been an issue with my initial filing since I did not receive any updates for weeks. Upon reapplying, I received a confirmation email, but my original claim is still pending approval. Despite receiving a submission confirmation, I cannot locate any record of my existing claim online. Additionally, I was unaware that I needed to separately apply for the federal weekly $[redacted] benefits. I am in dire need of speaking with a DOL representative to resolve these issues. Unfortunately, the phone numbers provided only lead to automated recordings. I appreciate any assistance. Thank you.