Question 1

Can you get unemployment if you were fired in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

You are not eligible if you were fired for misconduct, which CTDOL describes as careless or deliberate behavior that results in your suspension or discharge, such as dishonesty related to your job, unexcused absences, or knowingly violating company policy. Under state law, a discharge or suspension for wilful misconduct disqualifies you until you have earned at least ten times your weekly benefit rate in later work.

Question 2

Can you get unemployment if you quit in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

You may be eligible if you quit for good cause connected to the job, such as unsafe working conditions, or because you or your child were a victim of domestic violence, stalking or sexual assault. Quitting for personal reasons unrelated to work disqualifies you; under state law, leaving suitable work voluntarily without good cause attributable to the employer disqualifies you until you have earned at least ten times your weekly benefit rate.

Question 3

Can you get unemployment if your hours were cut in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

You may be eligible if you were laid off or your hours were reduced because your employer lacked work. If you work less than full time and earn less than 1.5 times your weekly benefit rate, you may receive partial benefits. Working 35 to 40 hours a week counts as full-time, and you are not eligible for that week.

Question 4

How much do you need to have earned to get unemployment in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Your base period earnings must be at least 40 times your weekly benefit rate. For 2026 the minimum is $1,760 ($44 x 40), effective January 1, 2026. The standard base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters; an alternate base period applies if you do not qualify, and a special base period can apply after workers' compensation or sick or disability leave.

Question 5

How much is unemployment in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Your weekly benefit rate is 1/26 of the average of your wages in the two highest-paid quarters of your base period (construction workers: 1/26 of the highest quarter). A dependency allowance of $15 per week per dependent, up to five dependents, may be added, but it can never exceed your benefit rate. The minimum weekly benefit is $44 (effective January 1, 2026). The maximum weekly benefit rate is $721; by law it is frozen for benefit years beginning from the first Sunday in October 2024 until the first Sunday in October 2028.

Question 6

How long can you get unemployment in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Up to 26 weeks; maximum benefits are 26 times your weekly benefit rate. People receiving partial benefits or a pension may collect over more than 26 weeks, but the total is still capped at 26 times the rate. The benefit year is 52 weeks starting the Sunday of the week you file.

Question 7

What are the work search requirements for unemployment in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Complete at least three work search activities each week, at least one of which must be contacting an employer (for example 3 employer contacts, or 2 employer contacts plus 1 other activity, or 1 employer contact plus 2 other activities). Keep work search records for at least three years. You are automatically registered in CTHires when you file and agree to share your information; not registering can lead to denial until you do. Exemptions include union hiring hall members, approved shared work participants, people with a return-to-work or new-job date within 13 weeks, jury duty and approved training.

Question 8

Does severance pay affect unemployment in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Severance packages, pay in lieu of notice, and continued pay with full benefits may reduce your benefits; report them when you file. Retirement, disability or survivor benefits may also reduce your weekly benefit, and you must report retirement plan payments you receive or apply for.

Question 9

How do I apply for unemployment in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

File your initial claim online through ReEmployCT (filectui.com). Starting the Sunday after you file, submit a weekly claim for each week (Sunday to Saturday) by 11:59 p.m. Saturday, answering questions about being able and available, your work search, any job refusals and your gross earnings. Help is available at American Job Centers or the Consumer Contact Center (203-941-6868, 860-967-0493, 800-956-3294; TTY 711 or 800-842-9710), Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Question 10

How do I appeal an unemployment denial in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Appeals must be submitted within 21 days from the date the eligibility determination was sent to you, through your ReEmployCT account, online, by mail or by fax. You will get a hearing notice and must attend; a Referee decides. You can appeal the Referee's decision to the Board of Review within 21 days, and the Board's decision to Superior Court within 30 days. Keep filing weekly claims and searching for work during the appeal.

Question 11

Can you work part-time and collect unemployment in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Report your gross earnings each week. A week of less than full-time work counts as partial unemployment if you earn less than 1.5 times your benefit rate. Your benefit is reduced by two-thirds of your earnings (so one-third of what you earn is not counted). Holiday pay counts as earnings.

Question 12

Can self-employed or gig workers get unemployment in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

You may not receive unemployment benefits if you are self-employed full time. While claiming, you must report all money earned for work, including self-employment, odd jobs and tips.

Question 13

Where do I log in to my unemployment claim in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Connecticut unemployment claims are handled in ReEmployCT, the Connecticut Department of Labor's unemployment tax and benefits system (in use since July 5, 2022); every filer needs a ReEmployCT account. If you have an active claim, file your weekly certification from the Weekly Certification link under Quick Links on your account page (not the "Unemployment Claim" link, which is for new or reopened claims), and report wages as you earn them. Claim weeks run Sunday through Saturday, and you have until Saturday to file the weekly certification. For help, the Consumer Contact Center lets you make an appointment or schedule a call back.

If you were fired	You are not eligible if you were fired for misconduct, which CTDOL describes as careless or deliberate behavior that results in your suspension or discharge, such as dishonesty related to your job, unexcused absences, or knowingly violating company policy. Under state law, a discharge or suspension for wilful misconduct disqualifies you until you have earned at least ten times your weekly benefit rate in later work. Source: CTDOL, A Guide to Collecting Benefits in Connecticut; Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-236(a)(2)(B)
If you quit	You may be eligible if you quit for good cause connected to the job, such as unsafe working conditions, or because you or your child were a victim of domestic violence, stalking or sexual assault. Quitting for personal reasons unrelated to work disqualifies you; under state law, leaving suitable work voluntarily without good cause attributable to the employer disqualifies you until you have earned at least ten times your weekly benefit rate. Source: CTDOL, A Guide to Collecting Benefits in Connecticut; Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-236(a)(2)(A)
Layoffs and reduced hours	You may be eligible if you were laid off or your hours were reduced because your employer lacked work. If you work less than full time and earn less than 1.5 times your weekly benefit rate, you may receive partial benefits. Working 35 to 40 hours a week counts as full-time, and you are not eligible for that week. Source: CTDOL, A Guide to Collecting Benefits in Connecticut; Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-229; ReEmployCT Claimant FAQs
Earnings needed to qualify	Your base period earnings must be at least 40 times your weekly benefit rate. For 2026 the minimum is $1,760 ($44 x 40), effective January 1, 2026. The standard base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters; an alternate base period applies if you do not qualify, and a special base period can apply after workers' compensation or sick or disability leave. Source: CTDOL, A Guide to Collecting Benefits in Connecticut; Information on Unemployment Tax Rate for Calendar Year 2026
Self-employed, 1099 and gig workers	You may not receive unemployment benefits if you are self-employed full time. While claiming, you must report all money earned for work, including self-employment, odd jobs and tips. Source: Connecticut Department of Labor, Benefits Booklet: A Guide to Collecting Benefits in Connecticut

Weekly benefit amount	Your weekly benefit rate is 1/26 of the average of your wages in the two highest-paid quarters of your base period (construction workers: 1/26 of the highest quarter). A dependency allowance of $15 per week per dependent, up to five dependents, may be added, but it can never exceed your benefit rate. The minimum weekly benefit is $44 (effective January 1, 2026). The maximum weekly benefit rate is $721; by law it is frozen for benefit years beginning from the first Sunday in October 2024 until the first Sunday in October 2028. The U.S. Department of Labor's July 2026 summary of state laws lists Connecticut at $44 to $721 (up to $796 with dependents). Source: CTDOL, A Guide to Collecting Benefits in Connecticut; Information on Unemployment Tax Rate for Calendar Year 2026; Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-231a
How many weeks	Up to 26 weeks; maximum benefits are 26 times your weekly benefit rate. People receiving partial benefits or a pension may collect over more than 26 weeks, but the total is still capped at 26 times the rate. The benefit year is 52 weeks starting the Sunday of the week you file. Source: CTDOL, A Guide to Collecting Benefits in Connecticut
Working part-time on benefits	Report your gross earnings each week. A week of less than full-time work counts as partial unemployment if you earn less than 1.5 times your benefit rate. Your benefit is reduced by two-thirds of your earnings (so one-third of what you earn is not counted). Holiday pay counts as earnings. Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-229
Severance and vacation pay	Severance packages, pay in lieu of notice, and continued pay with full benefits may reduce your benefits; report them when you file. Retirement, disability or survivor benefits may also reduce your weekly benefit, and you must report retirement plan payments you receive or apply for. Source: CTDOL, A Guide to Collecting Benefits in Connecticut

How to apply	File your initial claim online through ReEmployCT (filectui.com). Starting the Sunday after you file, submit a weekly claim for each week (Sunday to Saturday) by 11:59 p.m. Saturday, answering questions about being able and available, your work search, any job refusals and your gross earnings. Help is available at American Job Centers or the Consumer Contact Center (203-941-6868, 860-967-0493, 800-956-3294; TTY 711 or 800-842-9710), Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Source: CTDOL, A Guide to Collecting Benefits in Connecticut
Work search requirements	Complete at least three work search activities each week, at least one of which must be contacting an employer (for example 3 employer contacts, or 2 employer contacts plus 1 other activity, or 1 employer contact plus 2 other activities). Keep work search records for at least three years. You are automatically registered in CTHires when you file and agree to share your information; not registering can lead to denial until you do. Exemptions include union hiring hall members, approved shared work participants, people with a return-to-work or new-job date within 13 weeks, jury duty and approved training. Source: CTDOL, A Guide to Collecting Benefits in Connecticut
Appealing a denial	Appeals must be submitted within 21 days from the date the eligibility determination was sent to you, through your ReEmployCT account, online, by mail or by fax. You will get a hearing notice and must attend; a Referee decides. You can appeal the Referee's decision to the Board of Review within 21 days, and the Board's decision to Superior Court within 30 days. Keep filing weekly claims and searching for work during the appeal. Source: CTDOL, A Guide to Collecting Benefits in Connecticut
Logging in and filing weekly claims	Connecticut unemployment claims are handled in ReEmployCT, the Connecticut Department of Labor's unemployment tax and benefits system (in use since July 5, 2022); every filer needs a ReEmployCT account. If you have an active claim, file your weekly certification from the Weekly Certification link under Quick Links on your account page (not the "Unemployment Claim" link, which is for new or reopened claims), and report wages as you earn them. Claim weeks run Sunday through Saturday, and you have until Saturday to file the weekly certification. For help, the Consumer Contact Center lets you make an appointment or schedule a call back. ReEmployCT login linked from the page: https://reemployct.dol.ct.gov/accessct/faces/login/login_local.xhtml Source: Connecticut Department of Labor, ReEmployCT Claimants

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