Eleni Kavros DeGraw

Every week as I put these updates together, I continue to be amazed at how much we have going on all the time. In fact, sometimes it's hard to choose what to share.

As a reminder, tonight, Representative Tammy Exum and I have the online Facebook event, "Why Biking and Having Accessible Areas are Vital to Our Communities" at 6 p.m. We have a dynamic panel of experts as you'll see in the graphic below. If you cannot attend, we will have it available on my state page.

Tomorrow is the day to wear purple for Domestic Violence Awareness and coincidentally, it's also the day to wear purple for Spirit Day, the day we set aside to bring awareness to LGBTQ youth who disproportionately face bullying and harassment because of their identities.

This week is packed with events including the job fair on Friday for people with disabilities as part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Connecticut is truly coming back, but no come back is complete unless everyone who wants to work can be placed in meaningful employment. More information on this event below.

Have a great week!

Domestic Violence Awareness: Tomorrow is Purple Thursday

Purple Thursday is the day each October we raise awareness about domestic violence. Wear purple today in support of so many women - and men - who need it. Please click on the flyer below for more details.

Facebook Live Event Tonight: Why Biking And Having Accessible Areas Are So Vital To Our Communities

I hope you can join me and fellow colleague State Representative Tammy Exum tonight for a Facebook Live Discussion: Why Biking And Having Accessible Areas Are So Vital To Our Communities tonight from 6-7 p.m. You can watch on my Facebook Page by clicking on the image below.

Unemployment Benefits Overpayment Waiver

The Connecticut Department of Labor (DOL) has recently reported that around 13,000 unemployment benefit recipients received overpayments throughout the pandemic. These claims constitute about $30 million in accidental overpayments. It is important to note that while this amount looks daunting, most of these overpayments were caused by simple errors at little to no fault of the claimant.

Since the announcement, many of you have reached out with concerns about overpayments and are wondering, "will I have to pay this money back?"

The short answer is, not necessarily. You may qualify for a non-fraud overpayment waiver.

What is a waiver?

A waiver forgives part, or all, of the overpayment debt accrued by an unemployment claimant.

Overpayment may be eligible for a waiver if:

• There was an unintentional error on the part of the claimant, employer, or CTDOL.
• There was no attempt to obtain unemployment benefits to which the claimant knew they were not eligible (fraud).
• The Employment Security Appeals Division reverses a decision to grant unemployment benefits and that leaves the claimant with an overpayment debt.

Can I get a waiver?

Waivers will be considered for accidental overpayments only. CTDOL notifies claimants that they may be eligible for a waiver during the pre-determination process and sends a questionnaire that the claimant fills out and returns. Most waivers are granted for:

• A mental or physical condition which would significantly reduce opportunity for employment.
• An error on the part of CTDOL or the Appeals Division.
• Claimant bankruptcy.
• Economic grounds when it’s against equity and good conscience to have an overpayment repaid.

The questionnaire and hearing request must be completed and returned together to CTDOL within 14 days of the mail date (this is on the upper right corner of the pre-determination letter.)

What if I didn’t get a questionnaire with my pre-determination letter?

If you didn’t receive a waiver questionnaire, this means CTDOL claims you may not be eligible for one. If you believe this is not correct and that you are eligible for a waiver based on the criteria above, you are encouraged to reach out to the Consumer Contact Center with questions.

Please also remember that you can reach out to me if you need any assistance moving forward with this process, I will do all I can to help.

New Economic Development Programs Launched To Create Jobs, Boost Community Vibrancy

The Innovation Corridor program and Connecticut Communities Challenge program are two newly-launched grant programs, Gov. Ned Lamont announced this week, aimed at creating jobs, strengthening the livability and vibrancy of Connecticut towns and cities, and promoting new public-private partnerships to accelerate economic growth.

Both programs, administered by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, will spur place-based development in municipalities with up to $200 million in funding over five years.

Please click on the press release for more details:

CT State Colleges and Universities, Office of Workforce Strategy, Amazon Web Teaming Up To Provide Technical Skills Training

Governor Lamont also announced this week a collaboration between the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU), the Connecticut Office of Workforce Strategy, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) to provide technical skills training and education to more than 2,000 Connecticut residents by 2024. Click below to read more.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Job Resources Fair Friday

Did you know October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month? National Disability Employment Awareness Month began in 1945 to highlight the contributions of people with disabilities to the workforce and to raise awareness of the inequities they face.

As our state continues to bounce back from the pandemic, it is critical that all individuals in our community have access to employment opportunities. Ensuring that everyone has the necessary employment resources benefits both individual families and our state as a whole.

In recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Connecticut Department of Labor and Department of Aging and Disability Services have announced that Connecticut’s 9th annual Disability Employment Resource Fair  will be held on October 22.

The fair will be a virtual event this year. The presentation will include information about resources such as free employment services, transportation, legal rights, assistive technology, education and more!

To register for the fair please click here.

ASL Interpreters will be provided and a PowerPoint of the event will be sent out to all attendees following the event. If you need large print or a Word document, please contact Jill Larmett at jlarmett@capitalworkforce.org.
 
In addition to the annual Disability Employment Resource Fair, assistance for jobseekers is available virtually and in-person, including at:

• The Connecticut Department of Labor’s American Job Centers (appointments are recommended). More information is available at portal.ct.gov/ajc.
• CTHires, which serves as a one-stop resource to search for jobs, create a resume, and find training. More information is available at portal.ct.gov/cthires.
• Additional job fair that are scheduled frequently across the state. For a full schedule, visit portal.ct.gov/AJC/recruitmentevents.

Please take a moment this month to recognize the strides we have made in disability employment, and all the work we have left to accomplish.

Environmental Walk & Talk Was a Success!

Special thanks to Karen Barger, Elizabeth Vinick, Jenny Abel, and the entire team of gardeners and advisors to the garden for sharing the Collinsville Pollen Trail with us. It may seem strange to host one of these walk and talks in the fall, but it was a perfect time to see what's still out there blooming, partially because it's been a warm fall (ahem, climate crisis). For instance, those fall allergies you experience? Stop blaming goldenrod, when in reality, it's ragweed. Want to know the difference between a cultivar and a native? Want to know why you should leave your yard alone more than you mess with it? Visit www.collinsvillepollentrail.org to learn more.
 
Pollinator Pathways are a national movement brought to Connecticut by way of Fairfield County. To learn more about the national movement and find other trails to visit, www.pollinator-pathway.org.