Connecticut offers a dependency allowance as part of its unemployment benefits system. This provides extra financial help to individuals who are supporting qualifying dependents.
To receive this allowance, applicants must meet specific criteria and follow set procedures. Understanding these requirements can help you navigate the process.
Eligibility for Dependency Allowance
To be eligible for a dependency allowance in Connecticut, you must first qualify for unemployment benefits. This means you need sufficient past earnings, lost your job through no fault of your own, and are able and available for work. After meeting these general unemployment conditions, specific rules determine who can be claimed as a dependent.
The Connecticut Department of Labor states a qualifying dependent can be your child, stepchild, or legally adopted child. A child must be under eighteen. A child eighteen or older can qualify if you primarily support them and they are physically or mentally unable to work.1Justia Law. Connecticut General Statutes § 31-234 (2024) – Dependency Allowances A full-time student under twenty-three, whom you also primarily support, can also qualify.
Your spouse can be a dependent if they live with you and you primarily support them. A spouse cannot be claimed if they receive unemployment benefits or earn wages over a certain limit, as this indicates they are not primarily supported by you.
Required Documentation
You must submit specific documents to the Department of Labor to support your request for a dependency allowance. These documents verify the dependent’s status and your relationship to them.
For children, you will need to provide birth certificates to confirm age and parentage, legal adoption papers for adopted children, or for stepchildren, both a marriage certificate (for your marriage to the child’s biological parent) and the child’s birth certificate.
For dependents over eighteen, additional documents are needed. Full-time students require proof of current enrollment from their educational institution. Adult children unable to work due to a physical or mental incapacity need medical documentation detailing the disability and its impact on their ability to work.
To claim a spouse as a dependent, a marriage certificate is needed. The Department of Labor might also ask for information to confirm you live together and that your spouse is financially dependent on you. Providing truthful and accurate information is important. Misrepresentation can lead to benefit denial, repayment obligations, and potential penalties.
Application Procedures
In Connecticut, you apply for unemployment benefits and any dependency allowance at the same time using the Connecticut Department of Labor’s (CTDOL) online system, ReEmployCT.2Connecticut Department of Labor. Unemployment Benefits The initial application has sections for you to declare dependents who meet the eligibility criteria.
After you submit your application, the CTDOL first reviews your overall unemployment claim. If your basic unemployment eligibility is confirmed, they will then assess the information about your dependents. You should monitor your ReEmployCT account and any correspondence for updates or requests for more information from the CTDOL.
The application for dependency allowance is part of your initial unemployment claim, not a separate process, so accuracy in your first submission is important to avoid delays. If your circumstances change, such as having a new dependent or a change in your spouse’s employment status, you must promptly update your information with the CTDOL through the ReEmployCT portal.
Payment Calculation
After your eligibility for unemployment benefits and the dependency allowance is confirmed, the additional payment is calculated. Connecticut law specifies a fixed amount for this allowance, which is added to your weekly unemployment benefit.
You will receive $25 per week for each qualifying dependent.3Connecticut Department of Labor. How Is My Unemployment Benefit Calculated? This rate is standard and does not change based on your past earnings or your base unemployment benefit amount. You can claim this allowance for up to five dependents, meaning the maximum weekly dependency payment is $125.4FindLaw. Connecticut General Statutes § 31-234
This allowance is added to your regular weekly benefit. For instance, if your regular weekly benefit is $400 and you have two qualifying dependents, you would receive an additional $50, making your total weekly payment $450 before deductions like federal income tax. The dependency allowance is considered part of your total unemployment compensation. It is subject to the same conditions and potential deductions as your base benefit and is paid with your regular benefits for each week you certify and are eligible.
Handling Denials and Appeal Options
If the Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) denies your dependency allowance, you will receive a written notice explaining why. Review this notice carefully to understand the reason for the denial and decide your next steps.
If you disagree with the denial, you can appeal. You must file a written appeal with the Appeals Division of the Employment Security Division within 21 calendar days from the date the determination notice was mailed.5Connecticut Department of Labor. Filing An Unemployment Appeal Missing this deadline can mean you lose your right to a review. Appeals can be submitted online via ReEmployCT, by mail, or by fax.6Connecticut Department of Labor. How Do I Appeal an Unemployment Benefits Decision?
The first step in an appeal is a hearing before an impartial Referee. You will receive notice of the hearing in advance. At the hearing, you can present evidence, give testimony, and explain why you believe the denial was incorrect. You can have witnesses or representation, though this is not required. Your employer may also participate. The Referee will then issue a written decision.
If you are not satisfied with the Referee’s decision, you or your employer can appeal to the Employment Security Board of Review. This written appeal must be filed within 21 calendar days of the mailing date of the Referee’s decision.7Connecticut Department of Labor. Claimant’s Appeal To The Board Of Review The Board reviews the record from the Referee’s hearing and issues a decision.
The final appeal option is to the Connecticut Superior Court. This must be started within 30 days of the mailing date of the Board of Review’s decision.8Connecticut Department of Labor. Claimant’s Guide To The Appeals Process The court reviews the administrative record. During any appeal, continue to file your weekly unemployment claims if you are still unemployed and eligible. Benefits are only paid for weeks with timely certifications if your appeal is successful.