Connecticut unemployment benefits are calculated based on your earnings during a "base period," which is typically the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. For regular employment, your weekly benefit rate is calculated by taking the average of your two highest quarters of earnings and dividing by 26 weeks. For construction workers, the calculation uses only the highest quarter divided by 26 weeks. The maximum weekly benefit amount in Connecticut is $598 (as of 2024), and you can receive an additional $15 per week for each dependent, up to a maximum of 5 dependents ($75 total). To qualify, you must have earned at least 40 times your weekly benefit rate during your base period. Benefits are available for up to 26 weeks in most cases. The Connecticut Department of Labor uses your wage records from employers to determine your benefit amount automatically when you file a claim.

The base period in Connecticut is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your unemployment claim. For example, if you file a claim in July 2024, your base period would be April 2023 through March 2024 (Q2 2023, Q3 2023, Q4 2023, and Q1 2024). If you don't have enough earnings in the standard base period to qualify for benefits, Connecticut allows the use of an "alternate base period," which consists of the last four completed calendar quarters. This alternate base period can help workers who recently started employment or had a gap in employment qualify for benefits. Your employer reports your wages to the Connecticut Department of Labor quarterly, and these wage records are used to calculate your benefit amount. It's important to have accurate wage information for all four quarters of your base period when using this calculator to get the most accurate estimate.

In Connecticut, you can receive unemployment benefits for up to 26 weeks during a benefit year. A benefit year is the 52-week period beginning with the week you file your initial claim. However, the actual duration of your benefits depends on your total base period earnings. Your maximum benefit amount is calculated as 26 times your weekly benefit rate (plus any dependent allowances). Once you've received this maximum amount or 26 weeks of benefits (whichever comes first), your benefits will end unless you establish a new benefit year with sufficient new earnings. During periods of high unemployment, extended benefits may be available through federal or state programs, potentially providing additional weeks of benefits beyond the standard 26 weeks. To continue receiving benefits, you must file weekly claims, actively search for work, and meet all eligibility requirements. If you return to work and then become unemployed again within your benefit year, you may be able to resume your claim if you haven't exhausted your benefits.

To be eligible for unemployment benefits in Connecticut, you must meet several requirements. First, you must have earned sufficient wages during your base period - specifically, you must have earned at least 40 times your weekly benefit rate. Second, you must be unemployed through no fault of your own, meaning you were laid off, your position was eliminated, or you were discharged for reasons other than willful misconduct. If you quit your job, you generally won't qualify unless you had "good cause" such as unsafe working conditions, significant changes in job duties, or harassment. Third, you must be able to work, available for work, and actively seeking employment. This means you must register with CTHires (Connecticut's job search system), apply for suitable jobs, and keep records of your job search activities. Fourth, you must file weekly claims and report any earnings from part-time work. Fifth, you must be physically present in Connecticut or have a valid reason for being out of state. Finally, you cannot refuse suitable work without good cause. Suitable work is generally defined as work in your usual occupation or for which you're reasonably fitted, considering your training and experience.

Yes, you can work part-time and still receive partial unemployment benefits in Connecticut, but your benefit amount will be reduced based on your earnings. Connecticut uses a formula to calculate your partial benefits: you can earn up to 1/3 of your weekly benefit rate without any reduction in benefits. Any earnings above that amount will reduce your benefits dollar-for-dollar. For example, if your weekly benefit rate is $300, you can earn up to $100 without any reduction. If you earn $200, your benefits would be reduced to $200 ($300 - $100 = $200). If your part-time earnings exceed your weekly benefit rate, you won't receive any unemployment benefits for that week, but it won't count against your 26-week maximum. You must report all earnings when you file your weekly claim, including wages, tips, commissions, and self-employment income. Failure to report earnings can result in overpayment penalties and potential fraud charges. Part-time work is encouraged as it helps you maintain work skills and connections while searching for full-time employment. Make sure to keep detailed records of your hours worked and earnings for each week.

To apply for unemployment benefits in Connecticut, you must file your initial claim online through the Connecticut Department of Labor's website at FileCTUI.com. You cannot file claims by phone or in person except in special circumstances. Before you begin, gather necessary information including your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID, employment history for the past 18 months (employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for separation), and your most recent employer's federal employer identification number (FEIN) if available. You should file your claim during the first week you become unemployed or your hours are significantly reduced. The process takes about 30-45 minutes to complete. After filing your initial claim, you'll receive a monetary determination letter showing your weekly benefit amount and maximum benefit amount. You must then file weekly claims (called "continued claims") every week to receive benefits, even if you haven't received your monetary determination yet. Weekly claims must be filed for the week ending on Saturday, and you can file starting Sunday morning. You'll need to answer questions about your job search activities, any work performed, and earnings received. Set up direct deposit to receive your benefits faster - payments are typically made within 2-3 business days after filing your weekly claim.

Connecticut uses different calculation methods for regular workers and construction workers to account for the seasonal and variable nature of construction employment. For regular workers, the weekly benefit rate is calculated by averaging the two highest quarters of earnings in the base period and dividing by 26 weeks. This method smooths out variations in earnings across quarters. For construction workers, the calculation uses only the highest quarter of earnings divided by 26 weeks. This method recognizes that construction workers often have concentrated periods of high earnings followed by periods of unemployment due to weather, project completion, or seasonal factors. The construction worker method typically results in a higher weekly benefit rate because it's based solely on the highest earning quarter rather than an average. However, both methods are subject to the same maximum weekly benefit amount ($598 in Connecticut). To use the construction worker calculation, you must have worked primarily in the construction industry during your base period. Our calculator allows you to select which method applies to your situation to get the most accurate estimate.

This calculator provides an estimate based on Connecticut's official unemployment benefit formulas and is generally very accurate for straightforward cases. However, it's important to understand that this is an estimate, not a guarantee of the benefits you'll receive. The actual benefit amount determined by the Connecticut Department of Labor may differ for several reasons. First, the calculator relies on the accuracy of the wage information you enter - if your actual base period earnings differ from what you entered, your benefits will differ. Second, the Connecticut Department of Labor uses your employer-reported wage records, which may include earnings you forgot about or exclude earnings that weren't properly reported. Third, there may be special circumstances affecting your claim that the calculator doesn't account for, such as earnings from multiple states, military service, or federal employment. Fourth, benefit amounts and formulas can change when Connecticut updates its unemployment insurance laws. The calculator uses current rates and formulas but cannot predict future changes. Finally, eligibility determinations involve factors beyond just earnings, such as the reason for your job separation and your ongoing availability for work. Use this calculator as a planning tool to understand your approximate benefit amount, but file an official claim with the Connecticut Department of Labor to receive your actual benefit determination.