If you are receiving Connecticut unemployment benefits, you generally need to complete a weekly certification to request payment for each week you remain unemployed or partially unemployed.
The weekly certification is where you tell the Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) about your availability for work, work-search activities, employment, earnings, and other circumstances that could affect your eligibility.
In Connecticut, the benefit week runs from Sunday through Saturday, and weekly claims are filed for the week that has just ended. CTDOL says the weekly certification must be completed by 11:59 p.m. Saturday for the week you are claiming.
This guide explains how Connecticut unemployment weekly certification works, when to file, what questions you may be asked, how to report earnings, and what to do if you miss a week.
Important: This is an independent informational guide and is not affiliated with the Connecticut Department of Labor. Always follow the instructions shown in your ReEmployCT account and the latest CTDOL guidance.
What Is a Connecticut Unemployment Weekly Certification?
A Connecticut unemployment weekly certification is the process you use to tell CTDOL that you are still eligible for unemployment benefits for a particular week.
It is not the same as filing your initial unemployment claim.
Your initial claim establishes your unemployment claim. The weekly certification is how you continue requesting benefits after that claim has been established.
Each week, CTDOL asks questions designed to determine whether you remained eligible for benefits.
These questions can include whether you:
- Were able and available to work
- Looked for work
- Refused any work or job offers
- Worked during the week
- Earned money from employment
- Performed self-employment work
- Started school or training
- Had another circumstance that could affect your eligibility
CTDOL says claimants must answer the weekly certification questions truthfully.
When Do You File Your Connecticut Weekly Unemployment Claim?
Connecticut unemployment claim weeks run from Sunday through Saturday.
You file your weekly certification after the claim week has ended.
For example, if your benefit week runs from Sunday through Saturday, you report what happened during that period when you complete the weekly certification.
CTDOL states that weekly claims must be completed by 11:59 p.m. Saturday for the week being claimed.
When can you file your first weekly certification?
The Sunday after you submit your initial unemployment application is generally the first day you can submit a weekly claim.
In other words, you do not normally file your first weekly certification on the same day you submit your initial unemployment application.
CTDOL’s guidance explains that the first weekly claim becomes available on the Sunday following the initial application.
How to File Your Connecticut Unemployment Weekly Certification
If you have an active continuous claim, you can complete your weekly certification through ReEmployCT.
Step 1: Sign in to ReEmployCT
Sign in using your ReEmployCT User ID and password.
If you have forgotten your password or User ID, use the appropriate account-recovery option rather than creating another account.
Step 2: Open Weekly Certification
Once you are inside your claimant account, look for Weekly Certification in the Quick Links area.
CTDOL specifically warns active weekly filers not to select Unemployment Claim when they are simply filing their weekly certification.
The Unemployment Claim option is for situations such as filing a new claim or reopening a claim when appropriate.
Step 3: Answer the weekly questions
ReEmployCT will present questions about your circumstances during the claim week.
Answer each question based on what actually happened during that week.
Step 4: Report your work-search activities
If you are subject to Connecticut’s work-search requirement, you will need to provide information about your qualifying work-search activities.
CTDOL generally requires at least three work-search activities each week, including at least one employer contact, unless you have an approved exemption.
Step 5: Report any work and earnings
If you worked during the week, report your earnings as required.
CTDOL says claimants must report gross earnings, rather than net take-home pay. Earnings should be reported for the week in which the work was performed, even if you have not received the paycheck yet.
Step 6: Review your answers carefully
Before submitting your certification, review your answers.
A mistake involving work, earnings, availability, work search or another eligibility question could affect your benefits.
Step 7: Submit the certification
Complete the final submission process and keep any confirmation information provided by the system.
What Questions Are Asked on the Weekly Certification?
The exact questions presented to you can depend on your circumstances, but CTDOL’s guidance identifies several areas that weekly claimants may be asked about.
These include:
- Whether you were physically able to work
- Whether you were available for work
- Whether you started school, college or training
- Whether you performed self-employment work
- Whether you performed any work
- Whether you refused work or a job offer
- Your work-search activities
- Your earnings
CTDOL explains that the questions are used to determine whether you remain eligible for benefits for the week.
Why do the questions matter?
The weekly certification is more than a simple request for payment.
By submitting it, you are providing information about your circumstances for that particular benefit week.
That means you should not automatically answer the same way every week. If something changed, report the change.
For example, if you started working part-time, became unavailable for work, refused a suitable job, or began a new training program, your answers may need to change.
How to Report Work on a Connecticut Weekly Claim
If you worked during your benefit week, you generally need to report the work when completing your weekly certification.
This can include:
- Full-time employment
- Part-time employment
- Temporary work
- Odd jobs
- Self-employment
- Tips
- Other earnings from work
CTDOL says earnings must be reported based on when the work was performed, not simply when you received payment.
Gross earnings vs. net earnings
One of the most important points is that CTDOL asks for gross earnings.
Gross earnings are the amount earned before taxes and other deductions.
For example, if you worked 20 hours at $20 per hour:
20 × $20 = $400 gross earnings
You would report the applicable gross amount rather than the amount that eventually reaches your bank account.
What If I Worked but Have Not Been Paid Yet?
You still need to report the earnings for the appropriate week.
CTDOL specifically states that claimants must report earnings for work performed during the Sunday-through-Saturday period even if the claimant has not yet received payment.
This is important because unemployment reporting is based on when the work was performed, not simply the date the paycheck arrived.
Do I Have to Complete a Work Search Every Week?
Generally, yes, unless CTDOL has approved you for an exemption.
Connecticut generally requires claimants receiving unemployment benefits to conduct a work search each week.
The current CTDOL requirement is at least three work-search activities per week, with at least one activity involving contact with an employer.
Examples of qualifying activities can include:
- Applying for suitable employment
- Contacting an employer about a job
- Attending a job interview
- Attending an eligible job fair
- Participating in qualifying reemployment services
- Completing certain resume or professional networking activities
You should keep records of your work-search activities because CTDOL can request documentation.
For a detailed explanation, see our separate guide to Connecticut unemployment work-search requirements.
Do I Have to Report My Work Search on the Weekly Certification?
Yes, if you are subject to the work-search requirement.
CTDOL says work-search activities must be reported through the weekly certification process.
It is therefore a good idea to keep a record of your activities throughout the week instead of trying to remember everything immediately before filing.
Your record can include:
- Date of activity
- Employer or organization
- Position or activity
- Method of contact
- Contact information when appropriate
- Result or notes
CTDOL’s unemployment guide says claimants should retain work-search records for at least three years from the start of the claim because the information may be audited.
What Happens If I Miss My Weekly Certification?
If you forget to file your weekly certification on time, you should not simply assume that the missed week is permanently lost.
CTDOL’s claimant FAQ says that if you miss filing, you can generally file one week retroactively.
However, if you miss more than one week, CTDOL says you need to contact the Consumer Contact Center for assistance.
Why you should act quickly
Missing a weekly certification can delay payment or cause you to miss benefits for that week.
If you realize that you missed your filing, check ReEmployCT as soon as possible and follow CTDOL’s instructions.
Do not create a new unemployment claim simply because you forgot a weekly certification.
What If ReEmployCT Says I Am Not Eligible to File?
There are several possible reasons you may encounter a problem when attempting to complete a weekly certification.
For example:
- You may be attempting to file for the wrong week.
- You may have reached the end of your benefit year.
- Your claim may need to be reopened.
- Your account may have an unresolved issue.
- You may have missed more than one weekly filing.
- You may be using the wrong ReEmployCT option.
CTDOL says that if you have reached the end of your benefit year or need to reopen a claim after being employed, you may need to use the Unemployment Claim option rather than Weekly Certification.
If you are unsure why the system is preventing you from filing, contact CTDOL rather than submitting a duplicate claim.
What If I Cannot Log In to ReEmployCT?
You need access to your ReEmployCT account to complete your online weekly certification.
If you forgot your password, use the password-recovery option.
If you forgot your User ID, use the User ID recovery option.
If your account is locked, follow CTDOL’s account-recovery instructions.
You can also see our separate guides:
- ReEmployCT Login
- ReEmployCT Forgot Password or User ID
Keeping these topics on separate pages makes it easier for readers to find the exact solution they need without mixing account-recovery instructions into the weekly-certification process.
Can I File My Weekly Claim From My Phone?
ReEmployCT is an online system, so you may be able to access it using a mobile device and compatible browser.
However, CTDOL recommends using a current version of Chrome, Edge or Safari with ReEmployCT and warns that outdated or unsupported browsers can cause problems.
If the certification page is not displaying correctly, try:
- Updating your browser.
- Using a supported browser.
- Enabling JavaScript.
- Closing and reopening the browser.
- Trying again later if the system is experiencing an issue.
What Happens After I Submit My Weekly Certification?
Submitting a weekly certification requests payment for that benefit week.
It does not necessarily mean that payment will immediately appear in your bank account.
Your eligibility can depend on the answers you provided and whether CTDOL needs additional information.
For example, an issue involving earnings, work availability, a separation from employment, or another eligibility question may require additional review.
Keep checking your ReEmployCT account for messages or requests for information.
Can I File a Weekly Certification If I Worked Part-Time?
Possibly.
Working part-time does not automatically mean you cannot receive unemployment benefits.
However, you must report the work and the applicable gross earnings when completing your weekly certification.
CTDOL notes that claimants who work part-time may still qualify for partial unemployment benefits, depending on their circumstances.
Never leave work or earnings off your certification simply because you believe the amount is too small to matter.
Report the information accurately and allow CTDOL to determine how it affects your benefit.
What If I Started a Full-Time Job?
If you start a full-time job, your weekly filing obligations can change.
CTDOL’s unemployment guide says that after starting full-time work, you generally do not need to continue submitting weekly certifications to request UI payments.
If you start a new job in the middle of a benefit week, however, you should report the work and applicable earnings for that week.
If you are uncertain whether your new job changes your claim, follow the instructions provided by CTDOL.
What If I Am Not Available for Work?
One of the weekly certification questions concerns your ability and availability to work.
If you are unable or unavailable to work during the week, answer the question truthfully.
Do not select “Yes” simply because you normally would have been available.
Situations involving illness, transportation, childcare, school, family responsibilities or other circumstances can affect your eligibility depending on the facts of the situation.
If you are unsure how a particular situation affects your claim, contact CTDOL rather than guessing.
What If I Refused a Job Offer?
The weekly certification can ask whether you refused work or a job offer.
If you refused work, report it accurately.
Do not assume that refusing a job automatically means you will lose benefits, because CTDOL may need to evaluate whether the work was suitable and the circumstances surrounding the refusal.
Providing inaccurate information can create much bigger problems than honestly reporting what happened.
Connecticut Weekly Certification Checklist
Before submitting your weekly unemployment certification, make sure you have considered:
- I know which benefit week I am filing for.
- I completed my required work-search activities.
- I recorded my employer contacts.
- I know whether I worked during the week.
- I have my gross earnings information if I worked.
- I considered any self-employment or other work.
- I know whether I was able and available for work.
- I can accurately answer whether I refused work.
- I have information about any school or training changes.
- I reviewed my answers before submitting.
- I saved any confirmation or important information from the filing.
Connecticut Unemployment Weekly Certification: Common Mistakes
Filing every other week
Connecticut unemployment claims are filed weekly, not every two weeks.
Waiting until after the deadline
Weekly certifications are due by Saturday at 11:59 p.m. for the week being claimed.
Reporting net pay instead of gross earnings
CTDOL requires gross earnings to be reported.
Forgetting part-time work
Even if you only worked a few hours, report the work as required.
Claiming the same work-search activity repeatedly
Your work-search activities should reflect genuine qualifying activities for the week.
Selecting “Unemployment Claim” instead of “Weekly Certification”
For an active weekly claim, CTDOL instructs claimants to use the Weekly Certification link in Quick Links rather than starting a new unemployment claim.
Filing a new claim because you missed a week
Missing a weekly certification does not automatically mean you should start a new claim.
CTDOL says you can generally file one week retroactively. If you have missed more than one week, contact the Consumer Contact Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do I file unemployment in Connecticut?
Connecticut unemployment claims are generally filed once each week. The claim week runs from Sunday through Saturday.
What day is the Connecticut unemployment weekly claim due?
The weekly certification is generally due by 11:59 p.m. Saturday for the week being claimed.
When can I file my first weekly certification?
The first weekly certification is generally available on the Sunday following the date you submitted your initial unemployment application.
Can I file a late weekly unemployment claim in Connecticut?
If you miss a weekly certification, CTDOL says you can generally file one week retroactively. If you miss more than one week, contact the Consumer Contact Center.
Do I report gross or net wages?
You report gross earnings, not net earnings. CTDOL says earnings should be reported for the week the work was performed, even if you have not yet been paid.
Do I have to search for work every week?
Generally, yes, unless CTDOL has approved an exemption. The current requirement is at least three work-search activities each week, including at least one employer contact.
Can I receive unemployment if I work part-time?
You may still qualify for partial unemployment benefits while working part-time, depending on your circumstances. You must report the work and applicable earnings.
What happens if I forget to file my weekly claim?
You may generally file one missed week retroactively. If you have missed more than one week, CTDOL says to contact its Consumer Contact Center.
Is weekly certification the same as filing a new unemployment claim?
No. A weekly certification requests benefits for a week on an existing claim. CTDOL specifically tells active weekly filers to use Weekly Certification rather than Unemployment Claim.
Final Thoughts
Connecticut’s weekly unemployment certification is an important part of maintaining an active claim.
Each week, you need to accurately report the circumstances that affect your eligibility, including your work-search activities, availability for work, employment and gross earnings.
Remember the basic schedule:
Sunday: A new benefit week begins.
Sunday through Saturday: Complete the applicable weekly certification process for the week.
Saturday by 11:59 p.m.: The weekly certification deadline.
If you work, report your gross earnings for the appropriate week. If you are required to search for work, keep records of your qualifying activities. And if you miss a filing, act quickly rather than assuming you need to start a new claim.
For the most current instructions, always check your ReEmployCT account and Connecticut Department of Labor guidance because unemployment rules and online procedures can change.