CT Senate approves pandemic bonuses for state employees, CT essential worker bonuses to be cut for all but lowest-income, CT essential worker relief caught in debate over who owes heroes, GOP objects as Lamont tries to resurrect waste disposal fee, Protesters arrested as Lamont, lawmakers strike CT budget deal, Senate passes update of Connecticuts strong gun laws, Trade association health plans get tepid OK from key player, Centers for Disease Control and Preventions vaccination priority lists, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. And while thats up from the $361,122 approved in total for 102 recipients through early June, its still just 1.6% of the $34 million program budget. CT essential state workers awarded $45M in pandemic relief, CT budget panel approves essential worker relief for state employees, Pandemic bonuses for CT private sector need one final cash boost, GOP objects as Lamont tries to resurrect waste disposal fee, Protesters arrested as Lamont, lawmakers strike CT budget deal, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. A separate $34 million Connecticut Essential Worker COVID-19 Assistance Fund is also available to help those who lost wages and faced out-of-pocket medical expenses and burial costs due to COVID-19. That potential reduction, which was stipulated by the legislature, is of great concern to labor advocates who argue the program already is far too frugal. Example video title will go here for this video. Keith has spent most of his 31 years as a reporter specializing in state government finances, analyzing such topics as income tax equity, waste in government and the complex funding systems behind Connecticuts transportation and social services networks. The $30 million approved only for the private sector stemmed from final state budget negotiations last summer between top legislative leaders and Gov. Worked in the private sector. Braswells office said the goal is to process requests within a 60-day window. There was a soft launch last Friday and the program was supposed to officially launch Wednesday, but the website wasn't ready. To be eligible for the Premium Pay program, workers must have: As of the end of day Thursday, over 154,000 applications have been completed. How much will CT essential workers receive? There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Workers from category 1C are not eligible for Premium Pay Program bonus. CT Senate approves pandemic bonuses for state employees But the office already has begun to expand servers for. This hour on The Colin McEnroe Show, we look back at the past few years of the pandemic and how we attempt to make sense of them. Mark is the Capitol Bureau Chief and a co-founder of CT Mirror. I dont think anything should be ruled out, Scanlon said. As of late August more than seven months after the program launched and after lawmakers and Gov. Those people were taking their lives in their own hands. Middle- and working-class families in Connecticut need a break, he said, they dont need more promises from a majority that doesnt fulfill them.. Lamont has said twice recently through a spokesman only that he would consider any legislative proposals to expand funding for the program when the regular 2023 General Assembly session begins in January. Click here. Office of the State Comptroller. The Connecticut Office of the State Comptroller will oversee the program and has engaged Public Consulting Group to assist with claim processing and payments. community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years. . The Premium Pay program was created to provide a payment of up to $1,000 to essential workers employed during the height of . The Essential Workers COVID-19 Assistance Program has struggled to get dollars out the door since it began in January, though interest has grown over the past month. As of 8 a.m. Friday, there had been around 53,000 registrations, according to the state comptroller's office. Lamont and the full legislature passed on that. COVID-19 Relief Fund: Open to people who lived in Connecticut and were employed as an essential worker in the state between March 10, 2020 and July 20, 2021. Porter, Kushner and the rest of the Labor Committee in the Connecticut legislature asked for a $750 million budget, with grants of up to $2,000 for essential workers in the public and private sectors. The Essential Workers COVID-19 Assistance Program also known as the COVID-19 Relief Fund was launched in January with $34 million to help front line workers by reimbursing a portion of lost wages or incurred medical costs because of the coronavirus. However, there is still time to apply for this financial relief. All rights reserved, Teen Hospitalized After Being Struck by Car in Hartford, 5 Injured in Head-On Crash on Route 156 in Lyme, Borrowers Brace for Student Loan Bills to Resume $600 a Month, Where Is That Going to Come From? And Senate President Pro Tem Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven, echoed those sentiments Tuesday. A Connecticut program that offered "hero pay" to essential workers at the peak of of the . To apply, workers should visit CTEssentialWorkerRelief.org. Berthel said he did not begrudge the contributions of the employees who continued to work during the pandemic, but found it unfair to private sector workers who received lesser amounts. Union officialsin Connecticut have said more money is needed to compensate all of the essential workers who risked their lives during the pandemic. The Connecticut Premium Pay Program is a fund approved by the Connecticut General Assembly to make $30 million dollars available in assistance to support the critical workforce that helped keep the state operational during the pandemic. Braswell, who was tasked with overseeing the program, has launched a vigorous outreach campaign this summer to bolster participation. Conn. essential workers to receive 'hero . On Tuesday morning, Scanlon announced that the state expedited payments and will distribute them over the course of two weeks for workers who chose direct deposit. The state set up a second program to aid front line workers that might provide some resources for Premium Pay. Benefits can also cover medical or burial expenses for an essential worker, capped at $3,000 per applicant. Qualifying workers could get up to $1,000, but that's only if they made less than $100,000. One thousand dollars is the least we can do for them.. The payment amounts gradually decrease for workers earning more. The administration will review proposals introduced during the next legislative session and will work with legislative leaders at that time to pass measures that are in the best interest of Connecticut families and businesses, said Chris Collibee, spokesman for the governors budget office. Soup kitchens, food pantries and other community meal programs fall into this category, as do gasoline station workers. Some of the front-line workers in these categories include health care personnel, food and agricultural workers, manufacturing workers, grocery store staff, public transit workers, teachers and child care personnel. The approved $30 million probably wont be enough. Premium Pay Program: Applicants must have worked between March 10, 2020 and May 7, 2022 in one of the occupations fromcategories 1A or 1B of the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions vaccination priority lists. There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. The Essential Workers COVID-19 Assistance Program was launched in January with $34 . Ned Lamont dramatically expanded the potential applicant pool the state had awarded just $560,000 of the $34 million budget. To dive deeper on any element of this topic, use the links in the story. 21, 2020. For the 35,000 who opted to receive paper checks, the state will mail their payments in five-to-six weeks, Scanlonsaid. Those making between $50,000 and $100,000 got bonuses ranging from $800 to $200. The agency also has set up an information phone line at 833-660-2503, and Spanish language support is available. And, according to Comptroller Natalie Braswells office, only one out of every 17 people who completed a preliminary registration process has received funding. Employed as an essential worker in CT from Mar. Applications for the COVID-19 Assistance Program are now open, while applications for the Premium Pay Program closed on Oct. 1. Scanlon, a Democratic state representative from Guilford, said its become clear that the $30 million that legislators and Gov. Those earning between $100,000 and $150,000 got $100 bonuses. The store's owner said he is staying open because he is considered an essential worker since Gov. My staff and I will continue to travel the state and speak to any group that will have us. Click here. I think its really important we stick to what we committed and we really provide them with a real thank you.. Ned Lamont earlier this year. listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information. What to Know About Connecticut's $1,000 'Hero Pay' Program for Essential Workers Published August 12, 2022 Updated on August 12, 2022 at 12:46 pm NBC News The Premium Pay portal is open for Connecticut Health care workers, grocery store employees and other private-sector employees who staffed vital services during the first two years of the coronavirus pandemic can begin applying for up to a $1,000 bonus from the state. The Republican candidate for comptroller, financial services executive Mary Fay of West Hartford, could not be reached for comment Tuesday. State comptroller candidate Sean Scanlon challenged Connecticuts next governor and legislature this week to fully fund a pandemic bonus system for essential private-sector workers that appears short on funds. The Essential Workers COVID-19 Assistance Program was launched in January with $34 million to help workers who lost wages or incurred medical costs because of the coronavirus. If you are an essential worker you are eligible for up to a $1,000 payment from the Premium Pay Program. RELATED: Essential Connecticut workers can apply for $1,000 'hero' pay. to pay $2,000 to a full-time essential worker or $1,000 to a part-time essential worker within 10 business days after approval. When the governor and full legislature wouldnt support a $750 million bonus program, Porters committee offered no alternative proposal, forcing leaders to scramble for a last-minute solution. Online applications are currently being accepted for the Connecticut Premium Pay Program, which provides assistance for essential workers who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 150,000 Connecticut essential workers to receive up to $1,000 in relief January 24, 2023 (MIDDLETOWN, CT) - Joined by local elected officials, union representatives and grocery store employees, Comptroller Sean Scanlon today announced details on the schedule for disbursement of Premium Pay, also known as "Hero Pay." State officials have allocated $35 million for State employees and the Connecticut National Guard. All Rights Reserved. They have a total of $30 million to dish out and it will be distributed in the following manner: RELATED: No, Social Security recipients arent getting new $1,400 stimulus checks. CT Mirror is covering the states uneven rollout of relief programs. The state also has $3.3 billion in its emergency budget reserve, and the $24.2 billion budget approved for the current fiscal year was crafted with a built-in General Fund surplus projection of nearly $300 million. The state set up a second program to aid front line workers that might provide some resources for Premium Pay. Program benefits are expected to be paid out in early 2023. Connecticuts essential workers have gone above and beyond during the pandemic to keep our state safe and running. said State Comptroller Natalie Braswell in a statement. Walker, longtime co-chairwoman of the legislatures budget committee, said state officials repeatedly have praised the workers who staffed hospitals, nursing homes, grocery stores, and other vital businesses through 2020 when, in most cases, a vaccine for the coronavirus wasnt readily available. More than 66,000 people who make $50,000 or less each year will receive the full $1,000 bonus, while applicants with higher incomes will get significantly smaller amounts. If you value the story you just read please consider making a donation. COVID-19 Relief Fund: Covers lost wages, out-of-pocket medical expenses and burial costs tied to COVID-19 that incurred between dates in March 2020 and July 2021. The program was limited to private-sector workers only from categories 1A or 1B of the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions vaccination priority lists. Please reload the page and try again. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). "But this is the least that we can do to say 'thank you' to the men and women of Connecticut who we called heroes, our essential workers.". Prior to joining CT Mirror Keith was State Capitol bureau chief for The Journal Inquirer of Manchester, a reporter for the Day of New London, and a former contributing writer to The New York Times. The payments will be sent in batches,. Original reporting by Keith M. Phaneuf and Gabby DeBenedictis. An essential worker is eligible for the payment if he/she/they: Part-time workers can apply for a bonus of up to $500. Thats because legislators and Gov. Whoops! Lists of category 1A, 1B and 1C workplaces are available below. / CTMIRROR.ORG Rep. Sean Scanlon, D-Guilford, answers a question about the budget during the special session. But the program stalled because of a complicated application process and has approved only about $560,000 in aid in nearly eight months. Part-timers working less than 30 hours per week can apply for a $500 grant. Connecticut will begin disbursing"hero pay" bonuses to eligible workers starting on Feb. 1, State Comptroller Sean Scanlon announced at a press conference on Jan. 24. Lawmakers have created two programs the Premium Pay Program and the Essential Workers COVID-19 Assistance Program to distribute over $60 million in funds. Separately, the state has provided bonuses of up to $1,000 to roughly 150,000 workers in the private sector who earned less than $150,000 per year working full-time in grocery stores, nursing homes and other essential positions. There are specific requirements people need to meet in order to apply: The applications are available for the public right now, but the deadline isn't until Oct. 1. Premium Pay Program: A $30 million program that launched on Aug. 5 and provides bonuses of up to $1,000 to front line workers from. The Premium Pay Program, which launched in August with $30 million in funds, provides certain bonuses to front line workers from the private sector only. Officials said any eligible worker has until Oct. 1 to apply. State workers who worked in person during the first year of the pandemic will get an average of $1,500 bonuses, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). But the program was eventually broadened to include the CDCs 1C list of essential workers, which includes restaurant staff, gas station and utilities workers, and construction crews. If you value the story you just read please consider making a donation. This may lead to issues with this website. The CDC is loosening some guidelines when it comes to exposure to COVID-19. The parade was held to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Greenwich Police Department and honor Greenwich Hospital staff, first-responders, and essential workers who made great sacrifices through the pandemic. Get CT Mirror emails in your inbox daily. This new Premium Pay program is another way for us to return the favor. Money CT Senate approves pandemic bonuses for state employees State workers who worked in person during the first year of the pandemic will get an average of $1,500 bonuses by Mark Pazniokas. This program received significant attention after CT Mirror reported that applications had opened, crashing the website multiple times in its first week. 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