Andrea Slusarz\' Rapid Response Wia Presentation at the May 28th Job Group

RAPID RESPONSE TEAM

PRESENTATION FOR

DISLOCATED WORKERS

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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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BASIC REQUIREMENTS

FOR UNEMPLOYMENT

INSURANCE BENEFITS

MUST HAVE SUFFICIENT WAGES

BE UNEMPLOYED THROUGH NO FAULTOF 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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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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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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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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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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REDUCTION IN BENEFITS

EXAMPLESPART-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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REDUCTION IN BENEFITS

EXAMPLESPENSIONS

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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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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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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DISLOCATED WORKER

APPROVED TRAINING

UNEMPLOYMENT CONTINUING ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS WAIVED IF:

Enrolled in training approved and fundedunder 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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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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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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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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DEPARTMENT of HIGHER

EDUCATION860-947-1810 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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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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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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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