The Connecticut Department of Labor has unveiled a new website to speed up filing initial unemployment insurance claims or reopen an existing claim.
According to State Labor Commissioner Scott D. Jackson, more than 2,000 claimants used the service during its first week of operation. He said it will reduce telephone wait times during peak volume periods.
The department said in announcing the new website [www.fileCTUI.com] anyone with an email address can file a new claim or re-open an existing claim by using a computer instead of the phone. The goal is to give customer service representatives more time for complicated claims or to resolve other concerns.
Those filing a new claim or re-opening a UI claim can now visit www.FileCTUI.com and click on the File Your Unemployment Claim button. To file a weekly claim or make an inquiry about an existing claim, claimants can click on the Manage Your Unemployment Claim button when they visit this site.
Claimants have been able to file a weekly, continued claim for a number of years, but until now, first-time claims needed to be taken over the phone with assistance from a Customer Service Representative, Jackson said.
The commissioner said first-time filers are still welcome to use the TeleBenefits phone system but should try the online system first. During its first week of operation, approximately 45 percent of those individuals needing to file a first-time claim or to re-open an existing claim tried the new online system.
