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Reopening Resources for Workers UPDATE

Open for Business

UPDATE for Workers

NEW - CT Back to Work Initiative
Connecticut's Back to Work Initiative supports workers and employers as the state gets back to work. Find a job, post a job opening and learn new skills. Get started at the CT Back to Work Initiative website.

Iniciativa de regreso al trabajo de CT
La Iniciativa de Regreso al Trabajo de Connecticut apoya a los trabajadores y empleadores a medida que el estado vuelve a trabajar. Encuentre un trabajo, publique una oferta de trabajo y aprenda nuevas habilidades. Comience en el sitio web de CT Back to Work Initiative.

NEW - EVERSOURCE Offers Bill Paying Support Programs
For financial hardship customers in Connecticut, Eversource continues to offer special payment arrangements, such as New Start and the Matching Payment Program, which provide forgiveness on past-due balances based on making scheduled payments.

Protect Your Credit Rating 
If your payments on loans and credit cards were current prior to the health crisis, the CARES Act and the Lamont administration in CT have ensured your credit rating will be protected if you have challenges paying your debts due to the health crisis.

Small business owners and individuals who may have a problem keeping up with their payments during the economic shut-down need to be very proactive. Call your lending institutions and credit card companies to work out payment plans if the health crisis has affected your business or personal finances.This video about Mortgage Forbearance by the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) provides information about the CARES Act Mortgage Forbearance protection. This article from CNBC about How to Protect Your Credit if the Pandemic Affected You Financially recommends specific steps to take to protect your credit rating.

In CT, Governor Lamont has gone a step further and worked out a deal with banks to provide Mortgage Relief without credit score impact. Again, small business owners and individuals need to be proactive by contacting their mortgage lenders to protect their credit rating.

Under the agreement between Governor Lamont and participating lending institutions, the following relief policies are being offered by participating financial institutions:

  • 90-day grace period for all mortgage payments: Participating financial institutions are now offering mortgage-payment forbearances of up to 90 days, which will allow homeowners to reduce or delay monthly mortgage payments. In addition, the institutions will:
  • Provide a streamlined process for requesting forbearance for COVID-19-related reasons, supported with available documentation;
  • Confirm approval and terms of forbearance program; and
  • Provide the opportunity to extend forbearance agreements if faced with continued hardship resulting from COVID-19.
  • Relief from fees and charges for 90 days: For at least 90 days, participating financial institutions will waive or refund mortgage-related late fees and other fees including early CD withdrawals.
  • No new foreclosures for 60 days: Financial institutions will not start any foreclosure sales or evictions.
  • No credit score changes for accessing relief: For those taking advantage of this COVID-19-related relief, late or missed payments will not be shared with credit reporting agencies.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act – Effective April 1, 2020
The U.S. Department of Labor has posted Families First Coronavirus FAQs for workers.

Employers with fewer than 500 employees must comply with the Families First Coronavirus Response Act effective April 1, 2020. Affected employers are required to post the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act Notice on or before April 1, 2020. The Act ensures 100% reimbursement to employers for the cost of providing employees with coronavirus-related Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave. Employers will receive immediate dollar-for-dollar tax offset against payroll taxes. Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees may qualify for exemption from the requirement to provide leave due to school closings or child care unavailability if the leave requirements would jeopardize the viability of the business as a going concern. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Access Health CT - March 19, 2020

Access Health CT Announces Special Enrollment period for uninsured CT residents starting Thursday, March 19 and ending Thursday, April 2.  Enrollment must be done via telephone 1-855-365-2428 (TTY: 1-855-789-2428) Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

CT residents who become unemployed can apply for health benefits online through AccessHealthCT

 

CT Department of Labor (CTDOL) – March 16, 2020

CTDOL Commissioner Westby is suspending the requirement that workers applying for new unemployment benefits directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic be actively searching for work. Unemployment benefits are available to workers whose employer needs to temporarily shut down or slow down business. Employees who are furloughed by the emergency but expect to return to work can access up to at least six weeks of benefits. The waiting period for unemployment insurance has also been eliminated. Eligibility will be determined on a case-by-case basis. 

For faster claims processing, have your return-to-work date, if known, and your employer’s registration number readily available.   Instructions are provided if you do not yet have a definite return-to-work date,

Go to the Connecticut Department of Labor website at www.filectui.com to file.

 

Xfinity – March 16, 2020

For the next 60 days:

  • WiFi Hotspots Free For Everyone 
  • Unlimited Data for all customers
  • No Disconnects or Late Fees
  • Internet Essentials - free for those who qualify

Learn More