By Cathy Iino.
Hello, Killingworth-
We now have 13 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Killingworth and several more cases that we know of that were not confirmed by tests. We assume there are also quite a few unreported and undetected cases. Thanks to social distancing, we are not seeing an exponential growth in these numbers. Let’s keep it that way.
Unemployment insurance payments for self-employed workers. The Connecticut Department of Labor has begun accepting claim applications from the self-employed, many who are eligible for unemployment insurance benefits under the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program.
Self-employed individuals, including independent contractors and “gig” workers, must first apply through the Connecticut unemployment system located at www.filectui.com. You must receive a determination notice in the mail from the CT Department of Labor before you can apply on the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance online system, which will also be located at www.filect.com.
Step 1. Click on the blue button to file a regular state claim application.
NOTE: Self-employed individuals who already filed a claim application through this system SHOULD NOT file again. The agency has these original claims and a duplicate is not needed.
After completing and submitting your application, look for an email from CTDOL stating:
“Thank you for submitting your online application for unemployment compensation benefits with the Connecticut Department of Labor. … Please look for a CONFIRMATION EMAIL notifying you that your claim has been processed. This email will include your NEXT STEPS information including instructions for when to start filing your weekly claims.”
Then be on the lookout for a second email from CTDOL:
“Your claim for benefits has been processed. If this is a new claim then we are sending information regarding your claim via US mail.”
Your will receive your eligibility determination (Form UC-58 Monetary Determination) through the U.S. Postal Service. If the UC-58 Monetary Determination shows that you have a “zero” weekly benefit rate (which means you do not have wage earnings in the state system), you are eligible to file in the ReEmployCT system for self-employed individuals.
If the UC-58 Monetary Determination shows a weekly benefit rate, you have wage earnings in the state system and are entitled to collect state unemployment benefits.
Step 2. Go to CTDOL for the link to PUA button.
The PUA system will have a record of your state benefit ineligibility. Complete the PUA application. You will be asked the date when COVID-19 impacted your employment-under federal guidelines, any time since February 2, 2020.
FAQs located on the CT Labor Department’s homepage are being updated to include a section on the PUA application process, guidelines and additional details.
How we feel. Almost 2,500 Killingworthies have signed up for How We Feel, an app developed to improve the data available to those who are working to stop the spread of COVID-19 and develop a plan for reopening the economy. The app is now available from computers as well as cell phones.
The How We Feel app asks you to report daily on–wait for it–how you feel, any symptoms you might have, and whether you stayed home or went out that day. You don’t have to sign in or share your name, phone number, or email address. After the first log in, the app prompts you to report once a day. The collective data, not individual data, is used to track the spread of the disease, locate new outbreaks, and identify populations that could be at risk.
Sign up and join the fight against COVID-19!
Lions food drive. Remember, the Lions will be at Recycle Way collecting non-perishable food, grocery store cards, and cash for the Backpack Program and Helping Hands tomorrow, May 2, from 9 am to 2 pm, and on the next two Saturdays, May 9 and 16, as well. To keep everyone safe, you will be asked to exit your car and place food donations into cardboard boxes. Cash and gift card donations may be placed directly into a fishing net that can be extended to your vehicle window. The Lions will stay at least six feet from you and your car and will be handling the boxes and the fishing net with gloves. All donations will be sanitized by the Backpack Program/Helping Hands before being given to others.
Stay home, stay safe.
Cathy
