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Dear Neighbor,
As the temperatures begin to fall, I feel I must share winter heating bill assistance information with you whenever I can, because these bills can hit the outrageous mark pretty quickly. Please see below for more details.
I have also included an update from Access Health CT.
I attended a TEACH CT Homeschool event earlier this month. I'm glad I did. Keep scrolling for more details.
Shout out to my father-in-law, Tom, for recommending an excellent book from start to finish. Check it out in the Biggins Books section below.
Lastly, I want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. This is a time I like to share what I am grateful for. And there is so much, including you, the residents of the 11th District.
Your support is very much appreciated.
Have a great weekend,
Sincerely,
Patrick Biggins
State Representative
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Even though the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies are still up in the air (and if Congress does vote on an extension, the vote wouldn't happen until mid-December), Access Health CT is available to answer any questions you may have as you shop for health and dental plans.
Access Health CT call centers are open to help residents understand their options. If customers enroll on or before December 15, their coverage will commence on January 1, 2026. If they enroll between December 16 and January 15, 2026, their coverage will start February 1, 2026.
- AHCT offers free expert help online, in-person, and over the phone to help customers with the process of enrolling.
- Customers can visit accesshealthct.com and click the GET HELP button on the homepage to find the option that works best for them — including scheduling an appointment, finding a nearby Navigator site, or attending an enrollment fair.
- There is also a list of Certified Brokers available, and it is free to work with a broker. They are trained to help customers find a plan.
Customers can also contact the AHCT call center at 1-855-805-4325 with questions. Help is available in over 100 languages.
Click Here for More Information from Access Health CT
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While the $500 million emergency fund plans to cover the lack of funding for the national Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), there are other state resources available now.
The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program and Eversource offer resources for those in need to help cover the cost of their home energy bills this winter. Visit HERE or the Eversource website HERE for more information.
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| I was interested in attending the Teach CT homeschool event recently, and I'm glad I did. |
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I listened and had many conversations with homeschool families about where I see our shortcomings as a state, specifically in the law.
I will continue to have conversations and work to find out how we, as a state, best address our concerns in the best way.
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The U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration has approved Connecticut’s proposal for the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, awarding $144 million to the state that will be used to expand high-speed internet access statewide.
Connecticut is one of 18 states and territories that received approval for its BEAD proposal.
Expanding residents’ access to fast, affordable, and reliable high-speed internet will ease essential daily activities, including obtaining medical care, managing bills, seeking employment, and accessing educational opportunities.
Click here to read more on Connecticut’s final proposal for the BEAD program. |
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The Connecticut Intelligence Center, a law enforcement partnership within the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, is warning about a dramatic increase in financial scams targeting the elderly in Connecticut and the nation.
The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received 859,532 complaints in 2024, with losses reported at $16.6 billion, a 388% increase from 2023. In 2024, “false pretense” scams cost an estimated $31.9 million to Connecticut victims, most of whom were 65 or older, according to the 2024 Crime in Connecticut Report. |
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What to Watch Out For
- High pressure, urgent timeline (“you must send money now”).
- Request to pay with gift cards, wire transfer, prepaid cards, personal checks, or cryptocurrency.
- Caller says you must not contact family or police.
- Caller ID spoofing (it may show a local number or government agency, but is fake).
- Unwilling to meet in person or hesitant to identify themselves with official credentials.
What to Do if You Believe You Are a Victim
- Contact the local police to report the incident.
- Do not transfer money and do not give any payment information.
- Do not give any personal information or confirm/repeat social security numbers, birthdates, bank information or account numbers.
- Verify by calling the family member with a known number, not one provided by the caller.
- If you have already made a payment, contact your bank or the payment service immediately
Where to Go for Help
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| The Department of Social Services (DSS) has successfully launched a new streamlined and user-friendly experience for callers with an upgraded phone system. The Benefits Center phone number has not changed. Customers still contact DSS at 1-855-6-CONNECT (1-855-626-6632). |
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The new system includes:
- A simplified phone menu designed to help customers reach the right service
- A self-service experience for checking case status and benefit information
Customers who enter their Client ID when calling will benefit from a customized service and be routed to the correct call queue. Additionally, for those who prefer to self-serve, the system now allows them to:
- Check if DSS has received their documents and when they were reviewed.
- View their case status and, if active, access benefit details.
Customers now have access to call-back options, allowing them to:
- Save their place in line, or
- Schedule a call at a time that works best.
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I love to read!
"Biggins Books" will highlight what I'm currently reading, all via audiobooks, and some highlights and thoughts about what I read. |
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Full disclosure? I hope that you're encouraged to pick up a book, any book, and just read. Reading is a wonderful way to relax, relieve stress, enhance brain activity, and more.
In the last few weeks, I've read:
A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn
This book will inspire you and frustrate you. It is an account of our history that is appalling and inspiring. And it was a reference that Will Hunting makes in the movie about him being good. Ultimately, I will take from this book that it is each of our tasks to push for a country that is what we expect it to be, and to always be pushing society and our government in that direction.
Heartwood by Amity Gaige
This is a phenomenal book. It was recommended to me by my father-in-law, Tom, and it did not disappoint. And on top of it, just being a well-written and great storyline, it also includes references to New Britain.
The Courage to be Disliked: A single book can change your life by Ichiro Kishimi
This is another great book, but this is about philosophy and life and how each of us chooses to approach life and the situations that we find ourselves involved.
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| We are thankful to call the great State of Connecticut home. Happy Thanksgiving from the CT House Democrats. |
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Small Business Saturday, November 29 this year, shines a spotlight on locally owned businesses. It encourages folks to shop small and support their communities during the busy holiday shopping season.
By participating, you can find unique, personalized gifts while contributing to the local economy by keeping money within your community.
Small Business Saturday fosters a sense of connection, strengthening neighborhoods and ensuring that local businesses, which are often the heart of their communities, continue to thrive.
You can find local businesses participating in Small Business Saturday by clicking the button below.
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