Connecticut’s labor department said this week that it had processed roughly half the nearly 350,000 applications for jobless benefits it had received in the past month. In most states, self-employed, freelance and gig workers aren’t yet able to file applications for unemployment aid under new rules enacted by the federal government’s US$2.2 trillion economic relief package. When she has called the state’s phone line to ask questions, she has received only a recording directing her to the website. “It’s really frustrating that you can’t talk to someone and have your questions answered,” Rocha said. “There’s no information about when we can apply for this” on the state’s website.

Source: The Standard April 17, 2020 01:29 UTC