Published March 16, 2021 • Updated on March 16, 2021 at 2:53 pm NBC Universal, Inc. People who filed for unemployment benefits at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic must reapply for a new unemployment benefit year because the prior benefit year is coming to an end, according to Connecticut Department of Labor officials. The pandemic started a year ago and each unemployment claim is valid for 52 weeks. Download our mobile app for iOS or Android to get alerts for local breaking news and weather. In the past year, the department has received around 1.4 million state, federal, and extended benefits applications, which is typically what the agency receives over about 10 years, according to the state Department of Labor.