Final Step for Self-Employed UI Filers is Live

May 7, 2020

Thank you for your continued support and patience as we navigate this challenging time. The Governor and state leaders are developing a plan to begin opening parts of the state's economy, but this goal is contingent on meeting several markers. 

Please continue to practice social distancing and other preventative measures, like wearing a mask and washing your hands often. 

In this email you will find information on the following:

  • COVID-19 Update
  • Unemployment for Self-Employed Individuals
  • Relief for Student Loan Borrowers
  • 2020 Census
  • National Nurse Appreciation Week
  • Small Business Matters Tele-Townhall

COVID-19 Update

As of Wednesday at 8:30 p.m., there have been 31,784 cases of COVID-19 reported among Connecticut residents. Day-to-day changes reflect newly reported cases, deaths, and tests that occurred over the last several days to week. All data in this report are preliminary; data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected. For a county-by-county breakdown of cases and to view additional data, please click the image above.

Governor Signs 38th Executive Order

Today, the Governor signed Executive Order No. 7KK to build upon his efforts to slow down the transmission of COVID-19. The order enacts the following provisions:

  • Pharmacists are permitted to order and administer Food and Drug Administration approved tests for COVID-19

Read the full Executive Order here.

Governor Signs 37th Executive Order

Wednesday the Governor signed Executive Order No. 7JJ which enacts the following provisions:

  • Applicability of Executive Order No. 7S, Section 8 – Suspension of reapplication filing requirement for the Homeowners’ Elderly/Disabled, Circuit Breaker Tax Relief Program and for the Homeowners’ Elderly/Disabled Freeze Tax Relief Program
  • Distance learning and remote testing certification for DEEP programs
  • Tolling of land use and building permits
  • Allowance of suspension of in-person voting requirements by members of the public for critical and time-sensitive municipal decisions

Click here to read the full executive order.

Governor Outlines Criteria for Phase 1 of Reopening

Today the Governor announced his administration is using 7 criteria in its consideration for Phase 1 of Connecticut's reopening efforts:

To watch the full presentation, click here, and view the presentation slides here.

To read the full news update, click here.

Read all of the emergency orders issued by the Governor and state agencies here. Watch the Governor's news briefings here, and read the press releases here.

For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including an FAQ and other guidance and resources, residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

Self-Employed Unemployment Guidelines

The Connecticut Department of Labor announced it has activated the filing site for independent contractors, gig workers, and individuals who are self-employed can complete the necessary filing applications for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). Those who need to file a claim should visit www.filectui.com and click the red button labeled with the PUA designation.

Self-employed workers MUST apply through the state unemployment system and have received a determination notice in the mail before they can apply for PUA.

If you’re self-employed and haven’t filed, the federal rules state you must file first through Connecticut’s unemployment system to receive a denial that then qualifies you for federal unemployment. Click here to get started on the CT Department of Labor website. If you’re self-employed and filed a claim application, you don’t need to file again. Click here for the latest guidelines on the PUA (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance)  application process.

To date, over 38,000 self-employed individuals have completed the first step of the federally-required two-step process. Because self-employed individuals already applied through the state unemployment system, the newly-built PUA site will have a record of a person's state benefit ineligibility status. 

Federal unemployment allows retroactive payments to go back to February 2, 2020. If an unemployed status goes back to retroactive weeks, the system requires applicants to provide weekly earnings through the current week filing.

Additional information is available here.

The CTDOL has a FAQ sheet available on its website that is updated daily. Click here to access it

Free Advisory Support for Student Loan Borrowers

Summer, a social enterprise that assists student loan borrowers is providing Connecticut residents financially impacted by the COVID-19 crisis with free assistance to manage their student loans and minimize their debt load. 

As a certified B Corp, Summer is the leading resource for borrowers to simplify and save on their student debt through loan assistance and forgiveness programs. Connecticut residents can access Summer's digital platform for free and receive customized loan savings recommendations at meetsummer.org/covidrelief

Read more about this program as well as student loan relief measures here.

National Nurse Week

Wednesday was National Nurses Day and the beginning of Nurses Week, May 6th – 12th and I want to make sure to thank them for their selfless commitment!

Nurses have always been on the frontlines of care and an integral part of a healthcare system that would quickly fall apart and fail without them. This is especially relevant now as the country deals with the challenges of a pandemic that has brought them to the national spotlight.
 
Through the personal stories of nurses and patients, we have gained increased insight and a deeper appreciation of what it means to put on the scrubs and make that commitment of service. When so many lives hang in the balance, their work is a major factor in tipping the scales to recovery.
 
We have never been more grateful or reliant upon nurses to hold our community together. On this day and every day, we thank you, we honor you and we appreciate you!

Don't Forget: Complete Your 2020 Census

The COVID-19 pandemic underscores the importance of Census data and responding to the 2020 Census. Together with data from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey, census data also allows scientists and healthcare experts to model the potential impact of an emerging health threat. Respond today at 2020Census.gov.

Small Business Matters Tele-Townhall

Friday, May 8th from 1 – 3 pm there will be a Small Business Matters Tele-Townhall series about how to safely re-open barbershops and hair salons in Connecticut. Featuring Representatives McGee, Reyes and Rosario, moderated by CWCSEO Steven Hernandez. For more information and/or join the event go here.