- Connecticut Department of Labor issues reminder to unemployment filers that federal supplemental benefits are set to expire at the end of the week
- A controversial $300-a-week supplement is among the programs expected to be terminated in Connecticut
- While Connecticut’s unemployment rate remains elevated above the national rate, no plans have been announced to extend unemployment supplements with other federal funds
Summary by Dirk Langeveld
The Connecticut Department of Labor is issuing a reminder to unemployment filers that supplemental jobless aid established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to expire on schedule this week.
Danté Bartolomeo, interim commissioner of the Connecticut DOL, said four federal programs are likely to end on Saturday, Sept. 4. He said the reminder is intended to help those who are currently receiving unemployment to prepare for the shift.
“This job market provides a lot of opportunity for job seekers,” says Bartolomeo. “There are thousands of jobs being added weekly, so it’s a very good time for people to find that great new job—or even launch a new career. For the past several months, the number of claimants filing for unemployment benefits has been dropping; that’s good news for businesses and for the economy.”
- Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, a $300-a-week supplement which has already been ended ahead of schedule by 26 states due to its perceived disincentive to job seekers, is the main federal program that will cease on Saturday
- The day also marks the expiration of Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation
- Connecticut has triggered off High Extended Benefits, a seven-week extension program for filers who have exhausted both state benefits and extended benefits, but the last payments through this program will go out by Sept. 11
- The Treasury and Labor Departments recently advised that states can use federal funding issued to states and local governments through the American Rescue Plan to extend supplemental benefits, especially in areas where unemployment remains persistently high
- Connecticut’s unemployment rate has equaled or exceeded the national rate during the pandemic, but currently no plans have been announced to extend supplemental benefits
