Kate Farrar

Connecticut's landmark Paid Family and Medical Leave Program started accepting applications for Connecticut residents who want to participate in the state’s program. Claims are being accepted for qualifying events that are happening on or after January 1, 2022.

Under the program, eligible workers will be able to take up to 12 weeks off work for certain qualifying events without losing income. 

If you have questions about what our state's PFML program means for you and your family, join me for a conversation with Andrea Barton Reeves, CEO of the CT Paid Leave Authority, on Tuesday, December 14 at 7 p.m. 

If you have any questions, email them to me prior to the event or ask them online during the Facebook LIVE event.

For more information about the program, please visit ctpaidleave.org.

• Friday, Dec. 10, 3:00PM-6:30PM
• Saturday, Dec. 11, 10:00AM-3:00PM

The West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District is also offering booster shots and additional doses for adults age 18+ by appointment every Wednesday and Thursday beginning December 8th at the Health District office, 580 Cottage Grove Road. Call 860-561-7900 to schedule yours.

For additional clinic dates and vaccine sites for children ages 5 to 11, please visit the West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District website here.

For additional resources and information about the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit Connecticut's Vaccine Portal here.

To be eligible for state benefits, Veterans with an OTH discharge must apply and demonstrate to the EQRB that their discharge was the result of any of the above causes. Applicants who receive a favorable determination must submit all required documentation to relevant agencies. More information about the process is available on the EQRB website here. 

No member of our military should face unnecessary barriers to obtaining the benefits they've earned serving our country. 

Anyone can access free fresh food at the Connecticut Foodshare mobile pantry every other Tuesday from 11-11:30am at 100 Mayflower (previous St. Brigid school site). The next date is December 21st and you can find all mobile pantry sites across the state by texting Foodshare to 85511 or visit the Connecticut Foodshare website here.

Many individuals in our community do not know where to access food and often have fear of stigma for asking for help. While I was volunteering on Tuesday, a young woman said how grateful she was to find out that the mobile pantry existed because she had no idea it was available. Please keep sharing this community resource because you never know who will need it.

For additional food resources, please call 2-1-1 or visit www.211ct.org. 

For those who need help, I want to share information on energy assistance services available in the state.

Some of the energy assistance programs available in Connecticut include:

• Connecticut Energy Assistance Program: Administered by the Connecticut Department of Social Services, the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), provides winter heating cost assistance to more than 75,000 income-eligible households every year. Statewide application information is available on the web at www.ct.gov/staywarm or by calling 2-1-1. CEAP has significantly higher benefit levels from a record $135 million in federal funding to help heat Connecticut homes. Both homeowners and renters can be eligible. CEAP helps enrollees afford the cost of natural gas and electric heat, as well as deliverable fuels like oil and propane.
• Nonprofit heating assistance services: Operation Fuel and other nonprofits provide year-round emergency energy assistance to low-to-moderate-income households that don’t qualify for CEAP or who run out of CEAP benefits. Information is available at operationfuel.org.
• COVID-19 Payment Plans for Utility-Heated Customers: The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) has directed all regulated electric, gas, and water utilities in the state to offer COVID-19 payment plans, which both residential and non-residential customers are eligible to enroll in through the end of the public health emergency declaration. COVID-19 payment plans are available to any customer requesting financial assistance to facilitate the repayment of past due balances in addition to the customer’s current monthly bill. 
• Winter Protection Program – Moratorium on Heating Source Shut-Offs: From November 1 through May 1, there is a moratorium in Connecticut on heating source shut-offs for eligible households. Customers should contact their utility and inquire about the Winter Protection Program, as well as other programs for which they may be eligible. More information is available from 2-1-1 by visiting uwc.211ct.org/winter-protection-winter-moratorium/.
• Energy-Saving Solutions – Energize CT: Energize CT can help customers save money on energy bills by providing advice, information, and financial incentives to make homes more energy efficient. For more information, visit energizect.com.

During this discussion, the task force will share its recommendations from its Public Awareness and Improving Police Interactions with the Disability Community Subcommittees. A panel discussion and audience Q&A will follow. For more information or for additional dates, please click here.

Sincerely,

Kate Farrar
State Representative
she/her/hers