CT PAID LEAVE BENEFITS AVAILABLE FOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENT CRIME
Under new CT law, victims can receive assistance from both CTPL and the Victims Compensation Program
Hartford CT — Today the Connecticut Paid Leave Authority reminded Connecticut workers that paid leave benefits are available for victims of sexual assault and/or violent crime under two state programs. A recent change in law (Public Act 24–5) in Connecticut recognized the value of connecting victims with assistance for crime-related financial impacts. Previously, victims needed to choose between two state agencies for assistance. Now, victims can receive assistance from both the CT Paid Leave Authority and the CT Victims Compensation Program with the intention of lessening crime’s financial toll.
“Connecticut has created a true safety net for victims of violent crime by providing two robust programs to provide income replacement to workers in their time of need,” said Erin Choquette, CEO of the CT Paid Leave Authority. “No longer will victims have to weigh the pros and cons of going to court or seeking mental health care with having to miss work. Now they can focus on their recovery knowing that they will also be able to pay the bills.”
According to the Annual Report of Crime in Connecticut, there were 30,354 reported violent crimes in Connecticut in 2023 and 92.6% of crimes against people were assault offenses. Experiencing a violent crime can be highly traumatic, with physical, emotional, spiritual, and financial impacts rippling for years. If victims have to miss work and lose wages because they have experienced a crime, financial insecurity can make the trauma even more acute, placing recovery further out of reach.
“The Office of Victim Services can now pay for wage loss concurrently with CT Paid Leave, so long as the victim qualifies for paid leave and the total benefit does not exceed the victim’s regular pay rate or provide duplicative assistance,” said Marc Pelka, Deputy Director of the CT Office of Victim Services. “More importantly, it empowers victims to access a wider array of allowable benefits, combine complementary benefits, and receive longer wage replacement assistance that are more responsive to the amount of financial assistance needed, the severity of the crime, and the types of financial losses experienced.”
The Victim Compensation Program, which is directed by the Judicial Branch Office of Victim Services (JB-OVS), provides financial assistance for out-of-pocket expenses for victims of crime based on application eligibility. Benefits include help with medical, dental, and mental health bills, lost wages, and expenses associated with crime scene cleanup, security systems and funerals. Maximum benefits are based on the type of crime.
CT Paid Leave provides up to 12 weeks of wage replacement benefits to workers who need time away from work to recover from their own serious health condition or other family or health needs, like welcoming a new child or caring for a seriously ill family member. Twelve days of CT Paid Leave benefits are available to workers dealing with specific situations arising from family violence or sexual assault as outlined in the CT Family Violence Leave Act. Additionally, a longer duration of income replacement benefits is available for crime victims who experience a resulting serious health condition and need ongoing physical or mental health care treatment and recovery.
To learn more about the CT Victims Compensation Program, please visit https://www.jud.ct.gov/crimevictim/compensation.htm.
For more information about CT Paid Leave and how to apply, visit www.ctpaidleave.org.
