What you need to do to file for Connecticut unemployment

To file for unemployment in Connecticut, you go to the Connecticut Department of Labor website and create an account in their online system, called the Unemployment Insurance (UI) portal. You answer questions about your job, why you left or were let go, and your work history. The state processes your claim and sends you a information letter — usually within two to three weeks — that tells you whether you may have access to and what your weekly payment amount would be.

You cannot file by mail or phone. Connecticut requires all new claims to go through the online portal. If you do not have internet access, you can use a computer at a public library or visit a Connecticut Department of Labor office in person, and staff can help you file there.

Filing does not cost money. There are no fees to submit a claim, and you do not pay anything upfront.

Key Takeaways

  • You file through the Connecticut Department of Labor's online UI portal at portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Unemployment-Insurance.
  • Have your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID, and your most recent pay stub ready before you start.
  • You must file within two weeks of your last day of work to receive back pay for the week you became unemployed.
  • After you file, you log back in each week to certify that you are still unemployed and looking for work — this is how you actually receive your payments.
  • If your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision within 30 days of the denial letter.

What documents and information to gather before you start

Collect these items before you open the portal. Having them ready means you will not lose your place or time out of the system halfway through.

Personal identification: Your Social Security number, date of birth, and either a Connecticut driver's license or state ID card number. If you do not have a Connecticut ID, bring a photo ID from another state or a passport.

Work history: The name, address, and phone number of your most recent employer. If you worked there less than a year, also have the names and dates for any employers from the 18 months before that. You will need the dates you started and stopped at each job.

Pay information: Your most recent pay stub, which shows your gross pay (before taxes). This helps the state calculate your weekly benefit amount. If you do not have a recent stub, bring a letter from your employer showing your pay rate.

Reason for separation: Be clear on why you left the job or were let go. If you were fired, know the stated reason. If you quit, know whether it was for a job-related reason (unsafe conditions, wage theft, harassment) or a personal reason (health, family, relocation). This matters because Connecticut has different rules for each.

Step-by-step: Filing your claim online

Step 1: Go to the Connecticut Department of Labor portal. Open a web browser and go to portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Unemployment-Insurance. Click "File a New Claim" or "New Claimant."

Step 2: Create your account. Enter your email address and create a password. You will use this login every week after you file, so write it down somewhere safe. Connecticut will send you a confirmation email — check your spam folder if you do not see it in your inbox.

Step 3: Answer the personal information section. Provide your full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current address. This is straightforward — the system checks that your name and Social Security number match state records.

Step 4: Enter your employment history. Start with your most recent job. Type in the employer name, the address where you worked, the phone number, your job title, and the dates you worked there (start date and last day). The system will ask whether you are still employed there — select "No."

Step 5: Explain why you left. This is the section that matters most. The system gives you options: "Laid off," "Fired," "Quit," or "Other." Choose the one that fits. If you were laid off, you usually may have access to. If you were fired, Connecticut looks at the reason — you may still may have access to if the employer could not prove you did something wrong on purpose. If you quit, you must have had a job-related reason (the system lists examples like unsafe conditions or wage theft). If you quit for a personal reason, you do not may have access to.

Step 6: Describe what happened. In the text box, write a short, factual account. If you were laid off, write "Employer eliminated my position due to business closure" or "Laid off due to lack of work." If you were fired, write what the employer said the reason was — for example, "Employer said I was late too many times" or "Employer said I made a mistake on a project." If you quit for a job-related reason, explain it: "Employer cut my hours from 40 to 10 per week with no notice" or "Supervisor created a hostile work environment." Keep it brief and factual. Do not argue or use angry language — just state what happened.

Step 7: Report your income. Enter your gross weekly pay (before taxes) from your most recent job. If your pay varied week to week, average it out over the last month or two. The system uses this to calculate your weekly benefit amount.

Step 8: Answer the additional questions. Connecticut asks whether you have been fired for misconduct, whether you refused work, and whether you are in school. Answer honestly. If you answer "Yes" to any of these, the system will ask follow-up questions.

Step 9: Review and submit. Read through everything you entered. If something is wrong, go back and fix it. When you are ready, click "Submit Claim." The system will show you a confirmation number — write this down or take a screenshot.

What happens after you file

Connecticut sends you a information letter in the mail within two to three weeks. This letter tells you whether your claim was approved or denied, and if approved, what your weekly payment amount is. Keep this letter — you will need it for your records.

If your claim is approved, you must log back into the portal every week to certify that you are still unemployed and looking for work. This is called "weekly certification." You do this on the same day each week — Connecticut assigns you a day based on your Social Security number. If you do not certify, you do not get paid that week, even if your claim is active.

Payments are sent by debit card (a card that arrives in the mail) or direct deposit to your bank account. You choose which method when you file. The first payment usually arrives one to two weeks after you certify for the first time.

If your claim is denied, the letter will explain why. You have 30 days from the date on the letter to file an appeal. You do this through the same portal — there is an "Appeal" button on your claim page.

Common mistakes that slow down or deny claims

Filing too late: If you wait more than two weeks after your last day of work to file, you lose the back pay for the weeks you were unemployed. Connecticut can only pay you from the week you file forward, not retroactively, unless you file within 14 days. If you were laid off on a Monday, file by the following Monday at the latest.

Giving vague reasons for leaving: Saying "I quit" without explaining why often leads to a denial. Connecticut needs to know whether you had a job-related reason. If you did, say it clearly: "Employer cut my hours without notice" or "Supervisor harassed me." If you quit for a personal reason, you will be denied — that is the rule — but at least the decision will be clear and you can plan accordingly.

Not certifying every week: Many people file their claim and then forget to log back in to certify. You must do this every single week, on your assigned day, or you will not receive payment. Set a phone reminder for your certification day.

Providing incomplete employer information: If you leave out your employer's phone number or address, Connecticut may not be able to contact them to verify your story. Fill in every field, even if you have to call the employer's main line to get the address.

Mismatching dates: If you say you worked somewhere from January 2023 to March 2024, but your pay stub shows a different date, Connecticut will notice and ask for clarification. Use the dates from your pay stubs and tax forms, not your memory.

If your claim is denied

A denial does not mean you cannot try again. Connecticut denies claims for specific reasons — usually because the person quit without a job-related reason, or because the employer said they were fired for misconduct. The denial letter explains which rule applied.

You have 30 days from the date on the denial letter to appeal. To appeal, log into the portal, find your claim, and click "Appeal." You will write a statement explaining why you believe the decision was wrong. For example, if you quit and said it was for a personal reason, you can appeal and explain that it was actually job-related — maybe you did not realize that counted. If you were fired, you can appeal and provide evidence that you did not do what the employer said, or that the employer did not follow their own rules.

After you appeal, Connecticut schedules a hearing. You may be able to do this by phone. At the hearing, you explain your side, the employer explains theirs, and a hearing officer decides. This process takes several weeks. You do not need a lawyer, but you can bring one if you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file if I was fired?

Yes, but Connecticut will only pay you if the employer cannot prove you did something wrong on purpose. If you were fired for being late, making a mistake, or poor performance, you may still may have access to — the employer has to show it was willful misconduct, not just poor work. If you were fired for theft or violence, you will be denied. File anyway and explain what happened; if you disagree with the decision, you can appeal.

What if I quit my job?

You only may have access to if you had a job-related reason — unsafe conditions, wage theft, harassment, hours cut without notice, or a similar work-related problem. If you quit because you found a new job, wanted to go back to school, or had a family issue, you do not may have access to. Be honest about your reason when you file.

How much will I get paid each week?

Connecticut calculates your weekly benefit amount based on your gross pay over the past year. The maximum weekly benefit is set by the state and changes each year — it was $680 in 2024, but check the Department of Labor website for the current year. Most people receive between 50 and 66 percent of their average weekly wage, up to the state maximum.

What if I start a new job while I am receiving unemployment?

You must report your new job and your new pay when you certify each week. Connecticut allows you to earn a small amount without losing benefits — usually about one-quarter of your weekly benefit amount — but anything above that reduces your payment dollar for dollar. If you earn more than your weekly benefit amount, you will not receive a payment that week, but your claim stays open.

How long can I receive unemployment?

In Connecticut, regular unemployment benefits last up to 26 weeks (about six months). If you exhaust your regular benefits and the state unemployment rate is high, you may be able to extend for additional weeks through an extended benefits program. Check the Department of Labor website or call to see if extensions are available.