You could be eligible if you filed an unemployment claim that became effective May, 7, 2006, or later. You need to be either totally unemployed or working part-time as of July 26, 2008. Another thing that is required to be eligible is you cannot be able to collect benefits from any other state, the federal government, or Canada. You also must be legally authorized to work in the United States and be capable and actively seeking employment.

Visit the Connecticut Department of Labor website at www.ct.gov/dol to file online. You can also file by calling your regular Telebenefits line and selecting option 6. If you are deaf or hearing impaired, you can use TDD/TTY by calling 1-800-842-9710.

If Connecticut determines that you are not eligible for extended benefits, you can file an appeal. Your determination letter will include instructions for how to file the appeal.

Once you’ve exhausted your benefits for emergency unemployment compensation under Tier 1, you can then be qualified for Tier 2. This is contingent on Connecticut’s unemployment staying where it is at. Tier 2 gives you an addition 13 weeks of emergency unemployment compensations. As long as you’re eligible, these benefits will automatically be provided to you.

Once you’ve used up your federal extensions, you are then eligible for Connecticut extended benefits. You must be able to meet the eligibility requirements and must not be disqualified to receive unemployment benefits. The additional $25 of Connecticut unemployment insurance benefits that you receive under the federal stimulus program also apply to your extended benefits.

Now that you know more about the emergency unemployment compensation that is available to you, there’s no reason not to take advantage of it. Make sure you apply for all the benefits you need so you have less financial concerns while you go about reentering the workforce.