Yes, that is, and has been the standard bs for some time now. My best advice is to keep on them and they will still send you your checks even if you've already returned to work. They owe you that money from the weeks you were not working regardless of their problems.

It's also been hacked and allowed scammers to file fraudulent claims on behalf of thousands of CT residents. There is no real option for assistance or reporting the fraud outside creating a stink in person at their office. On top of that the state refuses to acknowledge the obvious vulnerability in their system and hails it as a success.

They are so incompetent, its easier to have someone else file on your behalf(common scam), then it is to cancel it. They have no consequences, they will never get back to you, they just hope you die so you stop calling them.

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If you go to an office, make sure it's a DOL office. The American Job Centers usually don't have any DOL staff there, and the AJC staff know nothing about and have zero ability to do anything with the DOL system. Many front line DOL staff know the system is aweful but have to tote the departments line about it being successful.

This happened to my partner. He also experienced the multiple day callback nonsense, and getting the callback only to be immediately put on hold for an extended period of time. But by far the scariest thing was finding out someone used his info for fraudulent claims. He managed to get it sorted over the phone, but it took a week or two

After I got my account set up I was able to file but in terms of getting any payment I had a hold on my account for 2 weeks. I was able to finally talk to someone after a week and a half and she said everyone has an initial hold for 2 weeks. The only improvement I see is that I can file on Sun or Mon instead of Sun like before

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guess I’ll die

You can file a report if you’re a victim of unemployment fraud here: https://portal.ct.gov/dol/divisions/bpcu/id-theft-report-form-iframe-page

I filed it a few months ago and received an email back confirming the fraud 3 days later.

Took 14 days for me to get a response to that and the generic form email they send is insufficient considering this could have big implications on impacted citizens

Someone filed a claim on one of my coworkers, I had assumed it was identity theft.

I don't understand how this is supposed to work, the unemployment office calls the business to verify. We obviously said no, he still works here.

This is the system that 80 million $ and 16 years gets you…

Pure garbage, they were not helpful at all, was very surprised how shitty and hard to use the system is to use, and if you have an issues w the site you're fucked.

People that want more government perplex me.

The hell of automated bureaucracy mixed w the hell of bureaucratic personalities as the human face is truly dystopian.

Gotta put a stop to it

I filed week before Christmas and still waiting on approval. Somehow it is denied from previous employer over a year ago, which I did not get laid off by but "voluntarily quit" to start the new job. Why is this relevant?

1 week I did not make a "company contact" and was denied. I understand the rules but I had 11 interviews so focused on preparing instead of applying to Walmart to fulfill narrow obligations...I put a note that I focused on landing actual job, which I did receive an offer.

I appealed both but not expecting anything at all. It's my first time using unemployment and had low expectations but this far exceeded how bad I thought it was.

What do people do that depend on the checks? Just take shit jobs? The system forces you to keep applying but in the real world actual screening and interviews take weeks.

Unemployment is also brutally unforgiving. When I was filing I got COVID. It was pretty bad and I was out of commission for a week. Basically a multi-day fever. I missed submitting the "yes, I applied for jobs" message for one week and it negated my entire claim. I had to reapply and start the process over again. Took 2-3 weeks to get approved again. I had to get a personal loan to cover the gap.

I can't imagine why the system would be designed like that short of cruelty toward the unemployed.

I’ve been waiting to talk to someone since July last year to review my case. My contract with a company was coming to an end so I found another job before the contract end date. That job didn’t pan out (a lot of missed communication)so I applied for UI when they started that new system update, my account was on hold for weeks and then in the end they denied my claim. When I looked at the reason the adjudicator denied my claim but did not contact any of the employers. I have all my docs as evidence but I can’t even get a case hearing.

Their system is so flawed. I’ve received unemployment claims from employees STILL working for me, only to find out that the system was hacked and fraudulent claims were being opened in their names. Such an inefficient and downright unsafe process.

All the employment sites are basically jokes, applied to probably 50 jobs repeatedly for 3 months not a single fuck was given, not a single call back or anything

I also had to go through this and confirmed a fraudster nearly got to take benefits. WTF? Theres something severely wrong if someone can find a grocery list of CT SSN numbers and mass apply so easily.

Not all government is incompetent or wasteful. That comes from bad policy and bad staffing, and can be avoided.

Sounds like the folks in charge of this program sure dropped the ball, though, and it should either be reformed or scrapped.

More government works well in many places, just not US

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What kind of work do you do/are you looking for?

I’m starting a new job tomorrow- welder/metal fabricator

Nice

Ugh, the website is straight sh*t. I’ve had many issues with it. Like if you miss a week, it usually doesn’t let you backdate…I’ve missed several payments because of this. I feel you. I hope you’re able to get through to someone on the phone! Hating the system with you 🫶

Manufacturing sector hiring like crazy. Look into it.

I feel a little better after seeing all these responses lol. Thank you

Yup! That’s what I do! Welder/metal fabricator. I had an offer the week after I was let go. Starting a new job tomorrow.

I was gonna say my company is looking for skilled people. Especially those skills. Good work landing new gig!!

Thanks! Yeah there’s definitely a need for more welders.

That’s insane

Another commenter said they automatically put holds on everyone’s account…what a dumb fucking system. It’s like guilty until proven innocent.

It works in the US, too, when it's given a chance.

The municipal electricity, gas, and internet providers in this state seem to be clear examples, and we need more of them.

I've been trying to grab a job for a while now. Tough times.

It’s because there is zero accountability for the people that designed it. It’s primary goal isn’t to actually help people, it’s the appearance of helping people that’s important.

Yes! Keep calling. Take the time to jump through all their stupid fucking hoops. Ask a TON of questions when you're on the phone with them. "Is there anything else I need to do?" "How do I do that?" "Is there anything I should know before I try to file that?" Etc etc etc. Eventually, the claim will clear and you'll get an opportunity to backdate all the weeks you were out of work and you'll get the money, but it's a pain in the ass. I consider myself a smart and successful person who can handle their own business, but it was one of the most frustrating and demoralizing processes of my life. Luckily, MOST of the people on the phone are incredibly nice and understanding and genuinely want to help you (especially if you speak nicely to them and ask intelligible questions), but it's still a massive pain in the ass. Make sure to get your benefits, tho! You paid for them!

I'm a pretty bleeding heart liberal. But to hear that this abominable system cost that much and took that long makes me want to rage. I understand it needs to be secure, etc (which apparently it's not even that if there's these thousands of cases of fraud that others are talking about), but the website they have is painfully outdated, and the system they've developed does not help people in need the way it should. Like OP, I was able to float myself for a few weeks while I was unemployed and they tried to figure out my claim, but the people who really need unemployment benefits the most are the kind of people who literally do not have enough money to live week to week without it. And these are not degenerates who are mooching off the system - these are the working poor who live precariously already because of job insecurity.

Make sure to reach out to your state representative or senator to ask for help with DOL.

Agreed… the sad part with dysfunctional state government is that there is the political will in CT to spend money & resources…but they end up being squandered like this … big government can work … we just need true accountability and real leadership. I think ego and careerism plays a part in the promulgation of bad systems like this.

Wasn't the old DoL system pretty smooth running? I haven't used it in ages, but when I did, I thought it was good.

What the heck happened?

There have been at least 5 commissioners in the 16 years that OP stated it took, not including interims. Also built in a consortium with other states and unemployment varies by state.

Took me five weeks to get my payment. Super flawed system

My mother works for the customer service side answering phone calls. Sadly most of her time is taken up by people who refuse to use a computer or people who are disputing a 100 dollar check they didn't get years prior.

Depends on your age.

Any chance her name is Brenda? I talked to at least 10 different reps, but this one woman named Brenda stood out because she was so nice and kind to me. Actually, most of them were nice and kind, there was only one guy who was a jerk - Jeremy. Fuck Jeremy.

The system is horrible. At one point someone gained access to my account and was changing the bank account to theirs. I followed the steps to alert it as unauthorized changes to my account and it took them a full week to even respond to the report I made, let alone take any action.

I suggest just scheduling a call back at: https://portal.ct.gov/dol/unemployment-benefits?language=en_US.

You may have to wait a few days for your call back but it beats waiting on hold for hours. Every time I've tried calling I can't even get through but callbacks guarantee you talking to someone on the status of your payments. Mines have been under investigation for 2.5 weeks (I was fired) the girl I talked to said investigations take up to 4 weeks it's probably the same for other situations. The system is broken for sure but with patience you'll get what you need eventually.

Happened to me. Then I got it couple days after I saw the “issue” message.

I have had the most horrible experience with them. They approve my claim,and then proceed to tell me they weren’t going to pay it! I was having my second surgery in the last 2 years,so I cannot collect unemployment because I am not available to work! Duh! I was having a second surgery and my employer didn’t wanted to wait anymore and terminated me. I explained this to them. I appealed it and they still denied it. So they are holding almost $11,000.00 dollars in my account and refuse to give it to me. I can’t pay my mortgage,utilities or medical insurance. It makes you want to give up on life. Sorry about expelling. English is my second language. I was an essential worker. Worked all thru Covid. Sometimes 7 days a week. And this what they are doing to me! Is heartbreaking.

Idk we got 20 to 70 as operators