Connecticut unemployment benefits
In Connecticut, unemployment benefits last up to 26 weeks and pay up to $721 a week (as of July 1, 2026). There is no unpaid waiting week, and you file with the Connecticut Department of Labor.
By Justin KullaLast updated
Last verified October 6, 2026 against official sources.
File a claim with the Connecticut Department of Labor →
Connecticut benefits at a glance
| Maximum weekly benefit | $721source, July 1, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Minimum weekly benefit | $44source, July 1, 2026 |
| Maximum weeks of benefits | 26 weeks (26 weeks for all eligible claimants (uniform duration))source, July 1, 2026 |
| Weeks depend on the state unemployment rate | Nosource, July 1, 2026 |
| Unpaid waiting week | Nosource, January 1, 2023 |
| Severance pay | All benefits are denied for the week the payment is received. This does not apply to severance or accrued leave pay based on service in the Armed Forces.source, January 1, 2023 |
| Pay in lieu of notice | All benefits are denied for the week the payment is received.source, January 1, 2023 |
| Work-search requirement | Claimants must complete at least 3 work search activities per week.source, January 1, 2023 |
| Extended benefits | Not available nowsource, October 4, 2026 |
| How to file | the Connecticut Department of Laborsource, October 6, 2026 |
Weekly amounts exclude dependents’ allowances. Severance, pay in lieu of notice and work-search entries dated January 1, 2023 come from the Department of Labor’s latest Comparison of State UI Laws, which reflects state law on that date; confirm them with the Connecticut Department of Labor.
Severance and unemployment in Connecticut
Severance pay: All benefits are denied for the week the payment is received. This does not apply to severance or accrued leave pay based on service in the Armed Forces.
Pay in lieu of notice (including WARN Act pay): All benefits are denied for the week the payment is received.
File as soon as you are out of work even if you received severance. The agency decides how payments affect your claim, and most states pay only from the week you file.
Local workforce boards in Connecticut
Public workforce boards run American Job Centers, which offer free help with job search, training and benefits.
If you’re a laid-off professional
Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, Significant Provisions of State Unemployment Insurance Laws and Comparison of State Unemployment Insurance Laws, the DOL Extended Benefits trigger notice, and the Connecticut Department of Labor. Where official sources disagree or a figure could not be confirmed, this page says to check with the agency rather than estimate. Rules change; the agency’s decision on your claim is what counts. See our editorial standards.