Self-Employed Unemployment Guidelines

May 8, 2020

To help you and our neighbors stay up-to-date on the ever-evolving stream of information related to the COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic, my office and I are working to provide news as it develops over social media and by email. This is a recap of some of the week’s highlights.

Below you can find information on the following topics:

  • National Nurses Week
  • Schools Closed Thru End of School Year
  • Self-Employed Unemployment Guidelines
  • Don't Forget: Complete Your 2020 Census Survey

For more information about the state's response efforts visit ct.gov/coronavirus

To receive text message notifications, sign up for CTAlert, the state’s emergency alert system. To subscribe, text "COVIDCT" to 888-777.

National Nurses Week

Happy Nurses Week, May 6th – 12th. This year nurses have become larger than life, as they employ superhuman powers of bravery, courage, skill, dedication and resilience to fight COVID-19. Many organizations are honoring nurses with freebies: coffee (Dunkin’ and Starbucks), burritos, Crocs, H&R Block tax filing, and more importantly this year: Talkspace, a free month of therapy for doctors, nurses, social workers and front line workers. Learn more: https://bit.ly/Nurses_Free

Schools Closed for Remainder of Academic Year

Governor Lamont has announced that school buildings in Connecticut will remain closed through the end of the school year due to the coronavirus pandemic in order to keep students, teachers and staff safe. Distance learning will continue through the end of the school year. Read the press release in its entirety here.

Self-Employed Unemployment Guidelines

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.

Yesterday, the CTDOL announced the site for self-employed workers to file for PUA went live. The site, located on www.filectui.com, can be found by a red button labeled with the PUA designation. Self-employed workers, "gig" workers and independent contractors who have already applied through the state unemployment system and have received a determination notice in the mail from CTDOL can apply using the system. For additional information, click here.

The CTDOL has a helpful FAQ sheet to answer general questions workers and employers may have concerning unemployment benefits, paid sick leave and other absences and more. Find it here

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.