Resources Available to You!

mccv
June 23, 2022
Congratulations to all of our students who graduated or moved up this past week. It is an exciting time full of promise and discovery. Speaking of discovery, I want to be sure you are aware of a number of programs and information available to you. Below are links to the items contained in today’s e-blast. You can click to get there directly.
 
Child Tax Payment
If you have a child born before January 1, 2022 and are a single parent who earned less than $100,000 or a two-parent household who earned less that $200,000 during the 2021 tax year, you are eligible for a child tax credit of $250 per child, up to three children. BUT YOU MUST APPLY.

So far,

more than 90,000 households in CT have applied to receive this credit, passed as part of a $650 million tax relief package included in this year’s budget. If you have not already applied, you have until July 31.

For more information on the payment and to submit an application with the Department of Revenue Services before the July 31 deadline, click the button below.
2022 Child Tax Payments
 
Bike & Pedestrian Safety
The Fairfield Bike and Pedestrian Committee shares a lot of important information on safety and infrastructure and how we can make our community safer for vulnerable users, especially at a time when pedestrian deaths are on the rise. At this time of year, more people are out walking and bicycling, so I wanted to share information the League of American Bicyclists put together. It is State Fact Sheet to provide a snapshot of biking and walking data in Connecticut.

The Fact Sheet highlights key data on rates of active commuting, public health, road safety, among other topics and reminds us that, “Inadequate levels of physical activity are associated with $117 billion in annual healthcare costs.” Improving roadway safety not only saves lives, but improves health and our healthcare costs. You can click on the images to enlarge them and read more.
 
CHEAPR Program
More and more people are choosing electric bicycles not only as a means of physical activity, but a way to commute, or run errands. E-bikes are increasingly becoming an affordable transportation option for those who cannot afford cars. A few weeks ago, I saw a Dad on Fairfield Woods Rd on an e-bike with two of his children.
 
This year, the legislature expanded the Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate (CHEAPR) program to offer incentives to Connecticut residents who purchase or lease an eligible electric vehicle or e-bike. With fuel prices at an all time high, now is a great time to consider an electric vehicle.
 
The rebate program will now allow municipalities, non-profits, and businesses to take advantage of an incentive to electrify their fleets.
 
Incentive amounts currently range from $4,250 for an eligible new battery electric (BEV), $2,250 for a plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV), and up to $9,500 for a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) when a Standard Rebate is combined with Rebate+ New for income qualified individuals.

There are currently over 30 eligible vehicles available, and the list continues to grow as manufacturers release new models. By participating in this incentive program, you will not only receive an incentive on an electric vehicle, you will be helping Connecticut meet its clean air and energy goals!

Click the button to learn more and apply for the rebate:
CHEAPR Rebate Application
 
Homebuyer Assistance
Housing affordability is an issue so many families are facing. I am thrilled that Governor Lamont has directed funding to allow the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) to offer the Time To Own - Forgivable Down Payment Assistance loan. Available for a limited time, this program will help alleviate potential homebuyers' inability to cover the down payment and closing costs required to purchase their first home.

The Time To Own loan is available to eligible homebuyers in conjunction with a CHFA first mortgage loan. Eligible homebuyers may also take advantage of the CHFA Down Payment Assistance (DAP) loan, in addition to the Time To Own - Forgivable Down Payment Assistance loan Program. Given the rising cost of housing, this is a great opportunity to increase home ownership.
Benefits
  • 0% Interest rate with no monthly payment required.
  • 10% of the principal balance will be forgiven annually, on the anniversary date of the loan closing, until the loan is fully forgiven on the tenth anniversary
  • Financing to cover up to 20% down payment and up to 5% closing costs
  • Loan amounts up to $50,000 for homes located in High or Very High Opportunity Areas
  • Loan amounts up to $25,000 for homes located in areas other than High or Very High Opportunity Areas
Eligibility Requirements
  • The Time To Own loan is only available to eligible applicants that qualify for and receive a CHFA first mortgage
  • The Time To Own loan may also be used in conjunction with other down payment assistance programs
  • Applicants must be a current resident of Connecticut and able to demonstrate residency for the most recent three (3) years
  • Applicants who are not first - time homebuyers may also apply if they plan to purchase in a targeted area of the state.  Borrowers may not own any other property at the time of the CHFA mortgage closing
Additional Considerations
  • The minimum Time To Own loan amount is $3,000
  • Applicants must meet all CHFA first mortgage and Time To Own loan program eligibility and underwriting criteria.  The CHFA- Participating Lender will work with applicants to determine complete program eligibility requirements
  • Learn more about taking the first steps to becoming a homeowner here

Additional Program Resources 
 
Paid Family Leave

I wanted to offer a reminder that Connecticut's landmark Paid Family and Medical Leave Program can be utilized for claims of qualifying events. I have heard from residents who have had difficulty accessing the program or receiving payment. The COVID backlog has been cleared, but please reach out directly if you are having problems.

Under the program, which the legislature passed in 2019, eligible workers are able to take up to 12 weeks of time off work for certain qualifying events without losing income.

Qualifying Reasons to Submit a Claim:

  • Medical leave for a serious health condition including pregnancy, or serving as a bone marrow or organ donor
  • Caregiver leave to care for a family member experiencing a serious health condition
  • Bonding leave for a newborn child through birth, adoption, or foster care
  • Family violence leave to get medical or psychological care
  • Workers caring for injured military family members or a spouse’s military deployment

The program is administered by the Connecticut Paid Leave Authority. Applications can be submitted online, via email, fax, phone, or mail. The toll-free application hotline is 877-499-8606.

The amount of income replacement varies based on a worker’s earnings and is capped at 60 times the state minimum wage up to $780 per week. The combination of employer-provided benefits and benefits received under the paid leave program cannot exceed 100% of a worker’s normal weekly earnings.

For more information, or to submit a claim, click the button below. If you have any problems submitting a claim, please reach out to me and I will do all I can to help resolve any issues:
CT Paid Leave Authority
 
The Great AAAsk
The great AAAsk is a new survey for CT residents - particularly those over 60 and caregivers - to weigh in on their needs, concerns and priorities. They are asking for assistance and insight from you!

If you would like to help out, please click the button below to take the 40-question survey.

 The data gathered will help establish and offer additional resources our communities and community-members need.
Take the Survey
 
Parental Controls
As summer begins, we parents find ourselves in the seemingly endless battles about screen time. The Hub CT, our Regional Behavioral Health Action Organization, shares some great resources, including a recent Common Sense Media article on how to effectively monitor your child’s online interactions. The article has some great tips and resources about how to deal with what feels like a daunting challenge for so many parents. If you don’t follow The Hub on social media (Instagram and Facebook), I recommend it. Besides tips like this, they offer mental health and substance use resources for families.