HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio)—Connecticut's Department of Labor is reinstating the weekly work search requirement for unemployment benefits on Sunday, May 30.
Per the requirement, those who file a claim for unemployment must show they are actively looking for work each week, such as having contacted at least one employer and having done at least two other work search activities.
"Those activities might include attending a job fair or doing an interview or doing some form of training or workshop, or maybe creating a user profile on a professional network site," State Department of Labor Commissioner Kurt Westby said.
The requirement was waived temporarily in March of 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Given Connecticut's high vaccination rate, low COVID-19 positivity rate and loosened restrictions, Westby said now is the time to reinstate the mandatory requirement.
"There's also a requirement for the PUA recipients," Westby said. PUA (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance) offers unemployment benefits to eligible self-employed individuals.
According to Westby, the PUA extension was not originally part of the unemployment insurance program. It was instituted with the Federal Cares Act last year.
"Although unemployment is still historically high at about 8.1%, it has been coming down steadily over the last several months," Westby said.
For that reason, Westby said it is crucial that people who are unemployed make serious efforts in finding a job now before it's too late.
"The job market is hot right now and if you want a good job, now's the time to try and get it," he said.
For additional information visit the Connecticut Department of Labor website.