Unemployment, Workers’ Comp Benefits Change in October

The state Workers’ Compensation Commission has announced that the maximum weekly workers’ compensation benefit for total disability and decedents’ dependents will be $1,184 for injuries occurring on or after Oct. 1, 2013. By law, this is equivalent to the estimated average weekly earnings of all employees in Connecticut.

The maximum workers’ compensation benefit for partial disability (incapacity) will be $985 for injuries occurring on or after Oct. 1, 2012. This is 100% of the state’s average weekly wage for production and related workers in manufacturing in the state, as determined by the state labor commissioner.

The new maximum weekly unemployment compensation benefit is reduced by $1 from $591 to $590, effective Oct. 6.  The Labor Department attributes this reduction to the loss of a large, high-paying manufacturer from the monthly sample.  The new maximum benefit applies to claims filed for the benefit year starting on and after Oct. 6, 2013. Individuals who established a claim prior to Oct. 6 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.

For more information about the workers’ compensation or unemployment compensation maximum benefit rates, contact CBIA’s Eric Gjede at 860.244.1931 or eric.gjede@cbia.com.