Update on Unemployment Benefits

April 20, 2020

I have heard from many of you who feel frustrated by how your unemployment claims are being processed.

The Department of Labor, which has been working with reduced staffing numbers and the antiquated software system COBOL, has been simply swamped as never before. For perspective, the DOL received in 18 days more claims than in all of 2019. I realize this may be cold comfort, but it does help explain the lag time, so please try to be patient as they are working day and night to process your claims.

There is, however, some good news. In his daily update on April 15, Governor Lamont reported the information found below.


  • The Connecticut Department of Labor has implemented improved software to process unemployment claims. The process time will be shortened to one week or less (down from a current wait time of up to six weeks).
  • Those who are self-employed and members of the "gig economy" may begin applying for the new federal benefits program called "Pandemic Unemployment Assistance" on April 30th. Click here for more information about the program.
  • Labor Commissioner Kurt Westby announced that the processing for the $600 in additional federal stimulus funds which will be added to every weekly state benefit payment is scheduled to begin April 24.
  • All claimants who have filed will receive payments that are retroactive to when they applied.

Click here to read Frequently Asked Questions from the Department of Labor on filing for unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 crisis.