HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio) - The Office of the State Comptroller launched a new relief program that will reimburse lost wages, out-of-pocket medical costs and burial expenses of essential workers that contracted COVID-19.
Through the Connecticut Essential Workers COVID-19 Assistance Fund, the office will be distributing $34 million to eligible frontline workers on a first-come, first-served basis.
To be eligible, an essential worker must have been unable to work after contracting and becoming sick with COVID-19, or died from COVID-19, between March 10, 2020 and July 20, 2021.
Workers can apply to get funds that cover lost wages and/or out-of-pocket medical expenses. Families of a qualified essential worker who died after getting COVID-19 can also apply to get funds for those same reimbursements and/or to cover funeral expenses.
The funds are intended to cover unpaid time away from work due to a COVID-19 diagnosis and COVID-related medical services that were not covered by insurance, state officials said.
There is also cap on certain reimbursements, officials said. The cap on lost wages is $1,446 which, state officials explained, is the average weekly earning for Connecticut employees. The cap on funeral/burial expenses is $3,000.
“Frontline workers made immense sacrifices to keep our state functioning during the pandemic,” State Comptroller Natalie Braswell said. “This relief program represents an opportunity to return the favor, offering critical financial assistance to workers who contracted COVID-19."
The application portal is available at www.CTEssentialWorkerRelief.org