Connecticut Unemployment Benefits

To qualify in Connecticut, you must have earned sufficient wages during your base period, been separated from work through no fault of your own, and be able and available for work. You must also meet ongoing work search requirements.

Yes, but your benefits will be reduced. Connecticut's rule: Benefits reduced by 2/3 of gross earnings from first dollar. You must report all earnings weekly, including contract/freelance income.

Yes, you can do contract or part-time work while collecting unemployment in Connecticut, but your earnings will reduce your weekly benefit. Connecticut's partial earnings rule: Benefits reduced by 2/3 of gross earnings from first dollar. You must report all earnings for the week you performed the work (not when you received payment). If your earnings exceed your weekly benefit amount, you won't receive benefits for that week but your claim remains active. Important: independent contractor income counts as earnings and must be reported weekly.

Yes. Connecticut adds $15 per dependent per week (up to 5 dependents) on top of your base weekly benefit. Your combined benefit with dependents can reach up to $796/week. This allowance applies even if your base benefit is at the $721 maximum.

Connecticut provides up to 26 weeks of unemployment benefits for eligible workers.

Connecticut calculates your weekly benefit using the formula: average of two highest quarters / 26. The maximum weekly benefit is $721 and the minimum is $44.