Substitute Bill No. 422 Summary

• Establishes the Connecticut Essential Workers COVID-19 Assistance Program to provide financial assistance to essential workers affected by COVID-19 between March 10, 2020, and July 20, 2021, or those unable to work due to eligible COVID-19 related reasons through the end of declared emergencies.

• Defines eligible recipients as "affected persons" (essential workers who died or were unable to work due to COVID-19) and "affected employees" (essential workers unable to perform job duties for qualifying COVID-related reasons), excluding federal employees and remote-only workers.

• Provides assistance calculated as 75% of average weekly earnings for affected persons and 100% of hourly wages (capped at 80 hours) for affected employees, plus documented out-of-pocket medical costs and $3,000 in burial expenses for COVID-19 deaths.

• Creates the Connecticut Essential Workers COVID-19 Assistance Fund as a separate nonlapsing account, with not more than 5% of funds used for administrative costs; applications accepted beginning October 1, 2021, with final payment deadline of June 30, 2024.

• Requires administrator to review claims within 60 business days, issue written determinations, and allow reconsideration requests; prohibits any right of appeal after administrator's designee issues final decision.