New Max Workers’ Comp, Unemployment Benefits

10.16.2015
HR & Safety

On Sept. 30, the state Workers’ Compensation Commission announced that, effective Oct. 1, 2015, the maximum weekly workers’ compensation benefit for total disability and decedents’ dependents will be $1,256.

By law, this rate is equivalent to the estimated average weekly earnings of all employees in the state.

The maximum workers’ compensation benefit payout for partial disability (incapacity) will be $998, effective Oct. 1, 2015.

This rate is equivalent to the estimated average weekly earnings of production and related workers in manufacturing in the state, as determined by the state labor commissioner.

Unemployment Comp

The new maximum weekly unemployment compensation benefit increases from $594 to $598, effective Oct. 4.

The new rate applies to claims filed for the benefit year starting on and after Oct. 4, 2015. Individuals who established a claim prior to Oct. 4 and who have been collecting unemployment benefits will be unaffected by the increase.

The weekly dependency allowance—$15 for each dependent, with a maximum of $75—remains unchanged.

The annual revision of the maximum weekly unemployment benefit is based on average manufacturing wages for the year ending June 30, 2015. The increase is limited by law to $18 per year, or 60 percent of the average, whichever is less.

For the 12 months ending Aug. 31, 2015, regular benefits averaged $326 per week and claimants received an average of 17.9 weeks of compensation. The prior year shows weekly benefit payments averaging $319 for an average of 18 weeks.

State unemployment benefits are funded by an assessment paid by approximately 98,000 Connecticut employers. The assessment is based on the first $15,000 of each worker’s annual wage.

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