The document provides information about services available to dislocated workers through the Dislocated Worker Program. It is a federally funded program that offers free services to help dislocated workers find reemployment as quickly as possible. The presentation outlines unemployment insurance benefits, requirements to qualify, how to file a claim, and additional reemployment services available through the state like training programs and health insurance options.

1. RAPID RESPONSE TEAM
PRESENTATION FOR
DISLOCATED WORKERS

2. DISLOCATED WORKER
PROGRAM
 PURPOSE: Offers a variety of free services that
help dislocated workers become re-employed as
quickly as possible.
 Federally funded under the Workforce Investment
Act (WIA). Available in every state and U.S.
territory (call 1-877-US-2JOBS/1-877-872-5627)
 No residency or Income Requirements
 Starts upon Notice of Layoff, if found eligible
(certified Dislocated Worker)
 Not an entitlement program
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3. BASIC REQUIREMENTS
FOR UNEMPLOYMENT
INSURANCE BENEFITS
 MUST HAVE SUFFICIENT WAGES
 BE UNEMPLOYED THROUGH NO FAULT
OF YOUR OWN
 BE ABLE, AVAILABLE, AND ACTIVELY
SEEKING FULL-TIME WORK
(exception: the law provides that an individual
with a physical or mental impairment may limit
availability for work to part-time employment.)
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4. FILING A CLAIM
• WHEN: Legal right to file a claim once you’ve
worked your last day or if your hours are reduced.
• HOW: CALL the TELE-BENEFITS CLAIM LINE via
your local calling area phone number (page 5 in your
instruction packet) or go ON-LINE through DOL’s
WEBSITE (www.ct.gov/dol).
• Call Center office hours are M-F 8:00-4:00.
• CONTINUED CLAIMS must be filed WEEKLY
(Any day Sunday-Friday) for each week fully or
partially unemployed.
• CHECKS are mailed to your home address or PO
Box. Notify the Tele-Benefits Center if you move.
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5. MONETARY ELIGIBILITY
• Base Period = 4 calendar quarters
• WBR = Weekly Benefit Rate
(approx. 1/2 gross weekly wage in the average
of 2 highest quarters)
• 26 Weeks of Full Benefits
• 52-week Benefit Year
(starts when you file a claim)
• Maximum Benefit Amount = WBR x 26
(CT Max. $519 x 26 = $13,494)
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6. MONETARY ELIGIBILITY
• $15 Dependency Allowance
- Maximum of 5 dependents
- Must be the whole or main support
- Children (under 18, under 21 and a full-time
student, or a mentally or physically handicapped
child of any age)
- Non-working Spouse
NOTE: Unemployment benefits are taxable for
income tax purposes. Voluntary 13% withholding.
(combined rate: 10% Federal + 3% State of CT)
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7. REASONS YOUR WEEKLY
BENEFITS MAY BE REDUCED
OR DENIED
• Dismissal Pay
(notice pay, severance, retention bonus)
• Vacation Pay
• Pensions, including 401(k)
- Only base period employer contributions
- Upon receipt of first check
- No effect if rolled-over to other qualified plan
• Part-time Earnings
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8. REDUCTION IN BENEFITS
EXAMPLES
PART-TIME EARNINGS
WBR $300
P/T Gross Earnings $ 90
2/3 x $90 = $ 60
$300 (WBR)
- 60 (2/3 earnings)
$240 (Partial Benefit)
Extends number of weeks to 32.5 weeks
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9. REDUCTION IN BENEFITS
EXAMPLES
PENSIONS
WBR $300
Monthly Pension $500
Prorated Weekly Pension $115.38
$300.00 WBR
-115.38 Prorated weekly pension
$184.00 Adjusted benefit after rounding
Extends number of weeks to 42.39
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10. CONTINUING ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS
• Able to work
• Available for full-time work*
• Making reasonable efforts to find employment
each week
• Minimum of 3 Employer contacts per week
• Random Efforts Check
• Seek work at highest previous skill & wage
level
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11. ENHANCED
RE-EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
 Identifies dislocated workers most likely to
exhaust benefits before securing
full-time employment.
 If selected, you must participate in
designated re-employment services as a
condition of eligibility for unemployment
benefits.
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12. DISLOCATED WORKER
APPROVED TRAINING
UNEMPLOYMENT CONTINUING ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS WAIVED IF:
 Enrolled in training approved and funded
under WIA.
 For self-paid, full-time training FIRST seek pre-
approval from the Tele-Benefits Call Center.
NOTE: Unemployment limited to 26 full weeks of
benefits, even if in approved training.
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13. CTWORKS
EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
• Available NOW (regardless of job status)
• DOL Website (www.ct.gov/dol)
• CT Job Bank and National Labor Exchange
• Job & Career ConneCTion
• Talent Bank, Labor Market info
• Career Counseling
• Special Services for Veterans
• Job Fairs
• Career Center Services
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14. CTWORKS CAREER CENTERS
• Assessment & Testing
• Job Search Skills Workshops
• Career Exploration & Vocational Counseling
• Résumé & Cover Letter Services
• Phones, computers, copiers, mail & FAX
• Internet Access
• Resource Library
• Job Clubs
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15. WIA TRAINING
• NOT AN ENTITLEMENT
- must qualify as dislocated worker
- based on individual need
- lead to a job in demand
- must be pre-approved (no reimbursement)
- funding cap (if funds available)
• OCCUPATIONAL SKILLS TRAINING
- Classroom (WIA approved vendor list)
- OJT (On-the-Job Training)
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16. DEPARTMENT of HIGHER
EDUCATION
860-947-1810 or 1-800-842-0229
EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT
INFORMATION CENTER (EEIC)
• College Degrees and Courses
• Vocational/Technical Schools
• Sources for help to start a business
• Credit for prior learning
• Student Financial Aid Information
• Tuition Waivers - Veterans & Seniors
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17. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
SECURITY ADMINISRATION
 Division of the US Department of Labor
 Protects and enforces your rights under
ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA (health & welfare
benefits - pension, 401(k), life insurance,
health insurance)
 Call Toll-free: 1-866-444-3272
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18. HEALTH INSURANCE OPTIONS
- CT HUSKY PROGRAM -
• National Program - similar program in every state.
• Low-cost health insurance for children under the
age of 19 residing in CT (and some parents and
caretaker relatives) based on household size and
family income.
• Assets not considered. No deductibles. Pre-
existing conditions not a barrier to participation.
• Managed Care (4 HMOs to choose from).
• Comprehensive medical package.
• Apply by phone: 1-877-284-8759
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19. HEALTH INSURANCE OPTIONS
- Charter Oak Health Plan -
• State-sponsored plan for Connecticut residents
aged 19 – 64 who are uninsured.
• Affordable group health coverage. Income and
family size determine the premium and deductible.
• Coverage for enrollees with pre-existing medical
conditions (no exclusions).
• Comprehensive benefits package. 3 HMOs.
• Complete a Quick-Start application available by
phone: 1-877-77-CT-OAK (1-877-772-8625)
web: www.charteroakhealthplan.com
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