Connecticut is set to give payments of up to $1,000 to essential workers for their work during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials are hoping to kick off the so-called "Hero Pay" program later this week after a soft launch this past weekend left the website overwhelmed with traffic.

Officials say over 15,000 workers tried to sign up over the weekend for Hero Pay. The state comptroller says the site needs tweaks before the full launch later this week. The goal is to launch this Friday.

Officials say $30 million has been set aside in the state budget for payments of up to $1,000 to many residents who had to work in-person during the early days of COVID-19.

The state's largest federation of unions says many workers are struggling, even after making personal sacrifices earlier in the pandemic, like being exposed to the virus.

But they say $30 million isn't enough funding for the premium pay program to do all its promising.

Officials are stressing the payments won’t be made on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Workers must make less than $150,000 a year to be eligible.