Community Corner

Connecticut's Long-Term Unemployed Will Take Benefits Hit

Cuts in unemployment benefits will impact 30,000 Connecticut residents later this month.

By Eileen McNamara

As if being out of work for more than 6 months wasn't bad enough, the state's long-term unemployed are about to get hit with a 20 percent reduction in their unemployment benefits. 

Starting at the end of this month, weekly unemployment checks to anyone who's been on unemployment compensation for more than 26 weeks will get cut 20 percent. The move is part of the federal sequester, the across-the-board federal cuts that went into affect weeks ago. 

For those getting the maximum benefit right now of $591 weekly, their checks will shrink to $478, according to the blog Climbing Back. 

The cuts will impact some 30,000 unemployment recipients in Connecticut who have been out of work for 26 weeks or more. 

The state pays the claims of those who are out of work for up to 26 weeks. In weeks 26-63 the federal government pays the claims, the blog states. 

“This is heartbreaking news for unemployed residents who are struggling to find a new job during the recovery, and rely on weekly benefit payments to purchase food, pay the rent, or keep the lights on,” State Labor Commissioner Sharon M. Palmer told the blog. 


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