The call center for the state Department of Labor is open all day on this holiday because of a high volume of callers filing for unemployment benefits.
Call centers will be open until 5:30 p.m. on Martin Luther King Day, and officials said part of the reason is an influx of claims caused by seasonal shutdowns.
Labor Commissioner Glenn Marshall said a greater number of individuals need to file initial claims during the first several weeks in January because of shutdowns for school workers, layoffs in the construction industry or seasonal layoffs in retail establishments.
Others might need to speak with a TeleBenefits customer service representative to reopen a claim because of temporary shutdowns related to weather conditions or the holidays.
“Those filing a continued claim are urged to use our online system,” Marshall said.
Individuals who have difficulty reaching a customer service representative will not be penalized if they are unable to file their claim in a timely manner.
Individuals filing a continued claim typically do not need to speak to the Customer Service Representative and are encouraged to file online using the agency’s WebBenefits system, according to the Department of Labor.
- Ansonia (203) 230-4939
- Bridgeport (203) 579-6291
- Bristol (860) 566-5790
- Danbury (203) 797-4150
- Danielson (860) 423-2521
- Enfield (860) 566-5790
- Hamden (203) 230-4939
- Hartford (860) 566-5790
- Interstate 1-800-942-6653 (from out-of-state) or
- (860) 256-3900 (from in-state)
- Manchester (860) 566-5790
- Meriden (860) 344-2993
- Middletown (860) 344-2993
- New Britain (860) 566-5790
- New London (860) 443-2041
- Norwich (860) 443-2041
- Stamford (203) 348-2696
- Torrington (860) 482-5581
- Waterbury (203) 596-4140
- Willimantic (860) 423-2521
*If you live in the Kent, Salisbury, Sharon, North Thompson, Stafford Springs, Westport or Wilton exchange, you may call the following toll-free number: 1-800-354-3305. This number is NOT accessible statewide. It is only for the seven above listed exchanges.
TDD/TTY Users Call: 1-800-842-9710
