Connecticut Comptroller Natalie Braswell and the general assembly's labor committee released a $34 million relief program Jan. 3 for essential workers, which covers lost wages, out-of-pocket medical expenses and COVID-19 burial costs, the CT Mirror reported.
The program is for essential workers, including hospital employees and first responders. It can also cover medical or burial expenses for someone who contracted COVID-19 in the household of an essential worker.
The deadline for applications is July 20 and applies to costs incurred between March 10, 2020, and July 20, 2021.
Eligible participants can receive lost wage replacements of up to $1,446 and burial expenses of up to $3,000. The benefits are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and there are no income eligibility requirements.
The money comes from last fiscal year's budget surplus, according to CT Mirror.