The Connecticut Department of Labor announced that it has activated the website where real estate agents and other self-employed workers and independent contractors can apply for unemployment insurance.
Typically ineligible because they do not pay into the unemployment system, federal legislation opened the nation’s unemployment insurance systems up to these workers under a special, temporary program called Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, or PUA.
While real estate services were deemed essential businesses by Gov. Ned Lamont, the economy’s sudden slowdown and social distancing measures have rapidly decreased home sales volumes and commercial sales and leasing activity statewide, leaving many agents without income.
Those seeking to apply for the new unemployment system should visit filectui.com and locate the red button labeled for PUA applicants. The site will accept applications from self-employed individuals, including independent contractors and gig workers who have already applied through the state unemployment system and have received a determination notice in the mail.
“Due to the pandemic and the devastating effect it has had on many that are self-employed, for the first time ever, these individuals are facing workplace situations never seen before. Unemployment benefits will help them weather such challenging times and help our economy recover faster,” State Labor Commissioner Kurt Westby said in a statement.
To date, more than 38,000 self-employed Connecticut residents have completed the first step of the federally-required two-step process, the Lamont administration said. The first step, which requires individuals to file an application on the state unemployment system, generates a determination notice that is sent by applications via mail. The notice, also known as a UC-58, notifies those eligible to file as a self-employed person that wage data is not available and disqualifies them for state benefits. Under guidelines set by the federal government, this two-step process ensures accurate accounting and integrity measures.
The PUA system requires applicants to create an account with a unique password and ID. The secure site also collects the applicant’s name, birthdate, and social security number, in addition to wage information.
Applicants will also be asked the date when COVID-19 impacted their employment. Federal guidelines allow this to go back to February 2, 2020. If an unemployed status goes back to retroactive weeks, the system requires applicants to provide weekly earnings through the current week filing.
