Julie Kushner

Senator Kushner Joins Fellow Leaders To Announce Paid Leave Accepting Benefits Applications

Claims are now being accepted and benefits for qualifying events are available starting January 1, 2022.
 

Hartford, CT —Today, State Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury), Senate Chair of the Labor and Public Employees Committee, joined state officials including Governor Ned Lamont, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, her Labor Co-Chair State Representative Robyn Porter (D-Hamden), Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven), Connecticut Chief Operating Officer Josh Geballe in New Haven and representatives of The Connecticut Paid Leave Authority to announce the Authority today began accepting paid leave benefit applications for qualifying events happening on or after January 1, 2022. Applications may be submitted through CT Paid Leave’s online portal at ctpaidleave.org or via email, fax, mail, or phone.

Connecticut Paid Leave provides up to 12 weeks of income replacement for eligible workers in Connecticut who need to take time off to address qualifying family or health reasons.

“I’m so proud that paid family and medical leave is a reality in our state,” said Sen. Kushner. “Nearly everyone has a story about how paid leave could have helped them or someone they know through a difficult time. Thankfully, now residents who are facing serious health concerns – or joyful occasions like welcoming a new child – can take the time they need to focus on themselves and their loved ones.”

According to CT Paid Leave CEO Andrea Barton Reeves, “Applying online is the fastest and easiest way to submit your application. It also provides access to useful features including checking the status of a claim, reviewing correspondence, adding time to an existing claim, viewing payments for a claim, and communicating with case managers.”

“We are thrilled to begin accepting applications for Connecticut Paid Leave benefits,” said Governor Ned Lamont. “Connecticut Paid Leave is going to make a tremendous difference in the lives of workers throughout our state, giving them peace of mind and the ability to care for themselves or their loved ones without worrying about lost income.”

“CT Paid Leave is good for families, and good for businesses,” said Rep. Porter. “It will help to relieve the burden of workers who want – and need – to be there for their loved ones while allowing them to retain their employment, thus strengthening Connecticut’s economy.”

“Today is a milestone in the state of Connecticut, as we begin to accept benefit applications for one of the most generous paid leave programs in the nation,” said Josh Geballe, CT Paid Leave Authority Board of Directors Chair, Commissioner of the Department of Administrative Services, and the state’s Chief Operating Officer. “Connecticut is a great place to live and work, and CT Paid Leave enhances that.”

Qualifying reasons to apply for CT Paid Leave benefits include:

• Medical leave for one’s own serious health condition (which includes pregnancy, as well as serving as a bone marrow or organ donor)
• Caregiver leave to care for a family member experiencing a serious health condition
• Bonding leave to bond with a new child that has entered a person’s home through birth, adoption, or foster care
• Family violence leave to address issues arising from family violence
• Qualifying exigency leave to address issues arising from a parent, child, or spouse’s military deployment
• Military caregiver leave to care for a family member injured during active duty in the armed forces

The amount of income replacement varies based on a worker’s earnings and the receipt of any employer-provided income replacement benefits. It is capped at sixty times the state minimum wage. The combination of employer provided benefits and CT Paid Leave benefits cannot exceed 100% of a worker’s normal weekly earnings.

Connecticut is the eighth state in the nation to enact paid family and medical leave.