File for Unemployment Benefits

You can file for unemployment insurance online through the Connecticut Department of Labor website or over the phone using the TeleBenefits Line. CTWorks Career Centers are located across the state for anyone in need of job services or help filing for unemployment insurance benefits. For Career Center locations, see the Contact Information section below.

When you apply for unemployment, you are required to register for work, which is a separate account than your unemployment claim account. For complete information, follow the instructions in the following unemployment insurance application information sections.

Unemployment Application and Initial Claim

File Your Unemployment Application and Initial Claim Process

How to file for unemployment online:

1. Go to CT Direct Benefits website
2. Click on “Apply for Benefits.”
3. Click “Sign Up!” to create a new account using your Social Security number and email address. This account is different than your work search account and your account used to file weekly claims.
4. Enter all required information accurately.
5. Continue until you reach a page confirming your claim has been submitted.

Filing for unemployment by phone:

You can file for unemployment using the TeleBenefits Line Monday through Friday, from 7 am to 4 pm EST. The TeleBenefits Line has provided a call-in schedule according to the last digit of your Social Security number. If your Social Security number ends with:

• 0 through 2, call on Monday
• 2 through 5, call on Tuesday
• 6 through 9, call on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday

If Monday is a state holiday, offices will be closed, and the schedule will be modified. In that case, if your Social Security number ends with:

• 0 through 2, call on Tuesday
• 3 through 5, call on Wednesday
• Everyone can call on Thursday and Friday

When calling, adhere to the following instructions:

1. Choose your language.
2. From the main menu, press or say 3 to file a new claim.
3. You will be asked 20 questions. If you cannot answer any of the questions, you will be helped by a customer service representative.
4. After completing all 20 questions, you will speak with a customer service representative to finish your claim.
5. If you hang up or are disconnected, you must call back within seven days to complete the claim filing process. If you do not call back within seven days, you will have to begin your claim from the start.
6. A customer service representative will tell you when your claim is complete and accepted.

Documents and Information Needed During Filing

You will need to have the following documents and information at hand when filing for unemployment insurance benefits:

• Your social security number
• A list of all employers, including contact information, for the past 18 months, with employment start and end dates.
• If you are claiming dependents:
  • Your spouse’s weekly wages and social security number
  • Your children’s names, ages, and birthdates

Note: All states do not allow you to claim dependents. You are not required to do so, however, if you choose to claim dependents in Connecticut, your weekly benefits allotment will be substantially more. Remember, you must claim benefits on your state and local income tax return for the year.

• Separation packet, if one was provided by your employer. If none was provided, you must provide a valid reason for separation from that employer.
• If you were in the military during your base period - Form DD214, Member 4 copy
• If you were a federal employee during your base period - Form SF-8 and your most recent paystub
• If you are not a U.S. citizen - Alien registration number or other proof that you are authorized to work in the United States.

Claim Weekly Benefits

To continue receiving weekly unemployment insurance benefit payments, you must file a claim each week to ensure you are still eligible. You can file your weekly claims online or over the phone using the TeleBenefits Line.

How to Claim Weekly Benefits

Your claim is effective on the Sunday of the week you file an initial claim for unemployment insurance benefits. Claim weeks begin at 12 a.m. on Sunday and end at 11:59 p.m. on Saturday. You should file your weekly claims as soon as you can on Sunday for the prior week. If you do not meet eligibility requirements, you will not receive benefits for that week. If you wish to continue to collect unemployment insurance benefits for subsequent weeks, you need to file regularly.

You can claim your weekly benefits by calling the TeleBenefits Line for your calling area Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 12 a.m. to 11 p.m.

When you call:

• Press or say 1 to file a weekly claim.
• Enter your social security number and PIN.
• Answer a series of questions pertaining to the previous week’s earnings and employment.
• Press or say 1 for YES or 2 for NO.
• If you need a question repeated, press or say 9 after you hear a tone.
• If you need to go back to the previous question, press or say 8.
• You must continue answering the questions until your hear the confirmation, “Thank you for filing your claim over the phone.

To file your first weekly claim online, create an account at the Department of Labor website. File your claim during operating hours or it will not be saved. For future weekly claims, login to your account and fill in the online questionnaire accurately and completely to receive unemployment insurance benefits.

Claim Denials or Discrepancies

Salesforce, a partner of the Department of Labor, processes all initial claims for unemployment insurance made online. The Department of Labor determines eligibility for initial and weekly claims. The Department of Labor notifies all employers listed on your application of your claim. The employer must either verify or deny the information you provided related to your employment and wages. Your claim could be denied or your benefits may be suspended if you do not meet all eligibility requirements, or if an employer disputes your information. Giving false information or leaving out information could cause your benefits to be denied or delayed or could result in overpayment, which carries monetary penalties. Deliberately giving misleading information is considered fraud and is punishable by law. If you are accused of fraud, you could face jail time and/or fines.

Appeals Process for Denied Claims

If your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. You must file your appeal with the Employment Security Appeals Division within 21 days of the date listed on your determination letter. You can file an appeal online, by fax, by postal mail, or in person. If you’re filing an appeal by any other method than over the internet, you can get the proper form at any American Job Center. After your appeal is filed, you will receive a Notice of Hearing indicating the time, date, place, and the issues being addressed. As soon as you receive your notice, you should start preparing for your hearing. You must attend your hearing or your appeal will most likely be dismissed. If you cannot attend on the date or time scheduled, you must call the Appeals Division immediately and request a postponement.

At your appeal hearing, an attorney is not required, but you may choose to have representation. You can request subpoenas for witnesses or documents by contacting the Appeals Division. A Referee from the Appeals Division will hear your case and make a determination based upon the evidence presented.

If your claim denial is upheld, you have the right file an appeal and a written statement supporting your case with the Employment Security Board of Review. The appeal must be received by the Unemployment Compensation Division within 21 days of the Referee’s determination. The Board of Review will look at the information presented at the initial appeal hearing, including the hearing recording and agree, modify, or disagree with the Referee’s decision. If you disagree with the Board of Review’s decision, you have 30 days to file a final appeal with the Supreme Court. Instructions for appealing to the Supreme Court are listed on the Board of Review’s determination letter.

Office of Appeals Contact Information

File an appeal online at https://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/appeals/apfrmnt.htm

Middletown Appeals Office

645 South Main Street

Middletown, CT 06457

Fax - (860) 754-5059

Telephone numbers -

Hartford area: (860) 566-5262

Hamden area: (203) 230-3700

Norwich area: (860) 892-2253

Waterbury Appeals Office

249 Thomaston Ave.

Waterbury, CT 06702

Fax - (203) 437-34402

Telephone numbers- Waterbury: (203) 596-4138 Bridgeport/Interstate: (203) 579-6271

Board of Review

38 Wolcott Hill Road

Wethersfield CT 06109

Telephone - (860) 566-3045

Fax - (860) 263-6977