Maria Horn

Here’s a list of today’s topics: 

• SNAP Update. Click here.
• Access Health's Open Enrollment Begins. Click here.
• Cornwall, Sharon, and Salisbury to Receive State Funding. Click here.
• Scam Alert. Click here.
• ICYMI - Federal Railroad Administration. Click here.
• ICYMI - Early Voting. Click here.
• ICYMI - Hispanic Heritage Essay Student Essay Contest. Click here.
• Northwest Corner Events. Click here. 

Governor Ned Lamont has announced $3 million in emergency state funding for Connecticut Foodshare, the state’s largest food bank, to assist residents expected to lose access to federal food assistance due to the shutdown of the federal government.

The Trump administration, through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has stated it will not use its $6 billion contingency fund to continue funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the shutdown, nor will it reimburse states that attempt to cover the cost. As a result:

• No new SNAP benefits will be distributed after November 1.
• If you have a balance from previous months, it is expected that those carryover benefits already on EBT cards will remain accessible after November 1.
• DSS is still accepting and processing SNAP applications. If someone is approved for benefits for October, those benefits will appear on their card when the federal government reopens.

This cut in federal aid will affect an estimated 42 million low-income Americans, including about 360,000 Connecticut residents, many of whom are children, seniors, and people with disabilities.

While the $3 million in state aid will not replace the full scope of lost federal benefits, it reflects Connecticut’s commitment to supporting residents facing food insecurity during the shutdown. The Department of Social Services (DSS) and other state agencies are continuing to monitor the situation and consider additional measures to assist affected households.

Open Enrollment for Access Health CT's (AHCT) health and dental insurance remains on track to begin Saturday, Nov. 1 and end Monday, Dec. 15 for plans beginning at the start of next year. Residents can enroll until Thursday, Jan. 15 for plans beginning in February.

You may have received a letter in the mail warning of healthcare premium price increases starting Jan. 1 due to legislation passed in the U.S. Congress this year. Currently, the federal government is shut down as those price increases are debated and negotiated.

As it stands, state officials in Connecticut are encouraging residents to hold off on enrolling in the AHCT plan as the debate continues over those price increases. If you are able, please wait to enroll until the issue is fully resolved.

For those looking to enroll, please have the following information and documents prepared for you and anyone else in your household, even if they don't need coverage:

• Dates of Birth
• Social Security Numbers
• Visa, green card, or immigration documents
• Most recent W2 and/or Form 1040, 1099 
• Pay-stubs, Profit & Loss Statements or other employment information
• Current insurance coverage (policy numbers for any current health insurance plans covering members of your household)

You can click here to view the enrollment checklist.

Access Health CT's staff remains a valuable resource to guide you through this process and to tell you what to expect during open enrollment. To get in contact, you can :

• Visit AccessHealthCT.com and click “Get Help” for a list of places to get free, in-person help.
• If you do not have a broker, find one on the Access Health CT website. Visit AccessHealthCT.com and click “Get Help” and “Find Certified Broker.” Brokers are free to work with, and they are trained 
  and certified to help you find a plan that works best for you and your family.
• Call at 1-855-805-4325 - help is available in over 100 languages. Customers who deaf or hearing impaired may use TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or call a relay operator. Hours of Operation are Monday-Friday 8am-4pm (Holiday hours may vary, check website for details)
• Live Chat available at AccessHealthCT.com
• Visit one of their Enrollment Locations  

To learn more about the enrollment process and to find the plan that is right for you, visit Access Health CT's website.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced new grant awards to support municipal waste reduction and food scrap recycling projects across the state. Three towns in our community are set to receive grants: 

• Cornwall will receive $15,000 to support the engineering and design of a new aerated static pile composting facility.
• Sharon and Salisbury will receive $266,692 to support the development of a transfer station-based unit-based pricing system and food scraps recycling program.

These initiatives aim to reduce waste sent to incinerators and landfills, lower disposal costs, and support local composting and sustainability infrastructure.

For the full list of awardees and program details, click here.

As a reminder, Election Day is next Tuesday, November 4. However, you can still cast your ballot early. Early voting will remain open through Sunday, November 2. 

Every town and city will have at least one polling place for those who want to cast their ballot before election day.

Here is a list of the locations in the 64th district: 

• Canaan - Town Hall (108 Main Street, Falls Village, CT  06031)
• Cornwall - Town Hall (26 Pine Street, Cornwall, CT  06753)
• Goshen - Camp Cochipianee (291 Beach St., Goshen, CT 06756)
• Kent - Town Hall (41 Kent Green Boulevard, Kent, CT  06757)
• Norfolk - Town Hall (19 Maple Avenue, Norfolk, CT 06058)
• North Canaan- Town Hall  ( 100 Pease Street, Canaan, CT  06018)
• Salisbury - Town Hall (27 Main Street, Salisbury, CT  06068)
• Sharon - Town Hall (63 Main Street, Sharon, CT  06069)
• Washington - Town Hall (2 Bryan Plaza, Washington Depot, CT  06794)

These polls will be open through November 3rd, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (On October  30th, it will be held from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.). Like the regular election day, you must have some form of identification. If you have any questions, please check out the graphic below. 

The Congregational Church of Salisbury has two upcoming events:

Public Conversations of Consequence
Join the Congregational Church of Salisbury for a Public Conversation of Consequence, titled “Public Conversations about Private Conversations: How We Manage Our Inner Dialogues, the Words We Choose to Speak, and Social Media Across Generations.”

Four guest presenters will share how communication has evolved in a world where private thoughts often become public discourse. Attendees are invited to listen, reflect, and engage in meaningful dialogue.

First Friday Music: The Old Guitarist

The November edition of First Friday Music will feature Kevin Dolan, “The Old Guitarist.” Enjoy an inspiring and eclectic program including works by Eric Clapton, Francesco Tárrega, and Julio Sagreras, along with original compositions by Dolan.

Doors open at 11:30 a.m. The concert is free and open to the public.