CT PAID LEAVE AUTHORITY REMINDS CONNECTICUT RESIDENTS THAT THEY CAN TAKE INTERMITTENT PAID LEAVE
“Intermittent leave” is leave taken in separate, non-consecutive time periods rather than a single span of time for a qualifying reason
Hartford CT — The Connecticut Paid Leave Authority (CTPL) today reminded Connecticut residents that workers who apply for paid leave may take their time intermittently rather than in one single span of time if needed. An employee can take job-protected leave for qualifying reasons under CT FMLA (and, if eligible federal FMLA) and could receive income-replacement benefits while out of work for qualifying reasons under CT Paid Leave. If an employee needs to take intermittent leave because of a qualifying reason, the rules are established by CT FMLA (and if eligible, federal FMLA). Under federal and CT FMLA, the employer cannot require the employee to take more job-protected leave than the employee needs. In terms of CTPL, if an employee who is eligible for CTPL benefits reports that they need income replacement in connection with intermittent absences for a covered reason, the CT Paid Leave Authority will pay income replacement benefits based on the reported time off. Claimants must notify CT Paid Leave within two days of each intermittent absence.
“Not every qualifying reason for paid leave requires a continuous stretch of time away from work,” said CT Paid Leave CEO Erin Choquette. “By allowing intermittent leave, families can receive income replacement when they need to take an hour here or there to attend to medical appointments in connection with a serious health condition — either their own, or a family member’s.”
Intermittent leave benefits through CT Paid Leave can be taken in increments of 15 minutes. For example, a person who suffers from a chronic condition like migraines or Crone’s disease might take leave intermittently when their condition flares up. A person who is caring for a family member undergoing chemotherapy treatments might take leave intermittently to bring the person to their appointments, or perhaps to care for them after the appointments. A person who has undergone surgery may take leave intermittently to attend physical therapy appointments. A pregnant person may take leave intermittently to attend their pre-natal appointments. Bonding leave may be taken intermittently, but only if the claimant’s employer approves of it being taken that way.
To apply for paid leave online, workers will first need to create an account with CT.gov. This will provide the applicant with a single identity and will take approximately 10 minutes. The applicant can then submit their claim online. Claims may also be filed by phone by calling (877) 499–8606. Hours of operation for a live representative are 8 AM to 8 PM ET, Monday through Friday.
For more information, please visit www.ctpaidleave.org.
