Kara Rochelle

Connecticut businesses eligible to open on or soon after May 20 are required to self-certify to demonstrate they understand and will comply with COVID-19 rules and regulations set by the state. The process is quick and available online at business.ct.gov/recovery.

Today the Office of Early Childhood announced it launched CTCARES for Family Child Care to help licensed family child care providers during the COVID-19 public health emergency. This program connects licensed family child care providers with a Family Child Care Network to provide grant funding and other supports to help small, home-based providers keep their business running during this challenging time.

As a result of social distancing measures put into place and the continual decline in hospitalizations, Governor Lamont announced the state will begin a cautious, phased-in re-opening that is currently targeted for May 20th.

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.

This morning the Governor announced in-person classes at all K-12 public schools in Connecticut will remain canceled for the rest of the 2019-20 school year.Schools will be required to continue providing distance learning and meals to students.

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.

The Department of Labor has released unemployment assistance guidance for gig workers and the self-employed.

Connecticut recently launched the CTCARES for Frontline Workers Program, a new childcare subsidy program to help our state's frontline workers afford childcare.