Story at a glance
- Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) is offering up to 10,000 long-term unemployed residents the chance to earn a $1,000 “signing bonus,” if they work a new full-time job for eight consecutive weeks.
- Residents will be able to apply to receive the bonus on the Connecticut Department of Labor’s website after they have secured a position.
- With the new program, Connecticut joins several other states offering cash to nudge their residents back into the workforce.
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) is offering up to 10,000 long-term unemployed residents the chance to earn a $1,000 “signing bonus,” if they work a new full-time job for eight consecutive weeks.
Lamont said at a press briefing on Monday that the state is struggling to fill nearly 65,000 open positions, The Hartford Courant reported. Residents will be able to apply to receive the bonus on the Connecticut Department of Labor’s website after they have secured a position. Federal COVID-19 relief will fund the new program.
“You see the big athletes get a signing bonus.” Lamont said. “Why don’t you get a signing bonus as well?”
“So for those of you who have been long-term unemployed for a while, we’re going to pay you $1,000 at the end of two months of work, to give you the incentive to get back to work, make sure work is worth your while, make sure that you can afford it, make sure if you need help on transportation, a little bit of extra help on child care, we’ve got the upfront money that allows you to do that,” Lamont added.
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The state’s House Republican leader, Vincent Candelora, criticized Lamont’s proposal as a bribe, adding that “enhanced unemployment benefits have played in employers’ inability to fill vacancies,” The Courant reported. Candelora argued that it also incentivizes states to rely on federal funding to solve local issues.
“The governor should instead follow the obvious path taken by nearly 20 other governors and opt out of the $300 weekly unemployment bonus program that employers say has made staying home a more lucrative option than rejoining the workforce,” Candelora said.
But Lamont said the state will require proof that applicants have consistently searched for work to maintain their eligibility.
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With the new program, Connecticut joins several other states offering cash to nudge their residents back into the workforce. Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) announced May 4 that his state would offer $1,200 incentives to eligible applicants who completed four straight work weeks.
“Montana is open for business again, but I hear from too many employers throughout our state who can’t find workers. Nearly every sector in our economy faces a labor shortage,” Gianforte said.
Meanwhile, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) said his state will give $2,000 to formerly unemployed individuals who complete 10 weeks in their new role, Fox 10 reported. The plan, which goes into effect July 1, will replace the $300 federal supplement.
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