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Dear Neighbor,
Hopefully, in the past week or so you’ve received my End of Session mailer in your home’s mailbox. It’s a snapshot of what laws we passed, tax cuts we enacted, and policies we worked on. If you have any questions about the mailer, please reach out.
This week’s issue includes a lot of program updates including an upcoming deadline for the college PACT program, an updated unemployment system at the Department of Labor, and an infrastructure update.
Wishing you a good week!!
Eleni |
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| CT's Free Community College Program Deadline Approaching |
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If you or someone you know is a recent high school graduate headed to college or university, I have some important information to share with you! The deadline to apply for financial aid through Connecticut's free community college program is fast approaching. Students looking to take advantage of the Pledge to Advance Connecticut (PACT) program are encouraged to apply by Friday, July 15.
This session, we passed legislation expanding eligibility for PACT funding to part-time college students.
Applicants must be Connecticut high school graduates who are first-time college students, have completed the FAFSA application, plan on taking at least six credits per semester, and are working toward a degree or certificate.
The goal of PACT was to make higher education more accessible. Including part-time students will further increase the reach of this program. Click here to learn more. |
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| State Launches ReEmployCT Unemployment Portal |
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I am pleased to share ReEmployCT, a revamped and modern Connecticut Department of Labor online platform that streamlines services and facilitates unemployment and tax filing.
ReEmployCT offers 24/7 access for filing up to two previous weeks, filing a new claim because you reached the end of your benefit year, or if you are re-opening an existing unemployment claim due to a break in filing - for example, you were unable to work for the week due to illness.
Please make sure to:
- Enter your user ID and password correctly. If you get locked out of your account, use the lockout form to get back in.
- Remember, your name, birth date, and Social Security number have to match what’s already in the system. This is a security feature to ensure no one else is trying to access your benefits.
Consumer Contact Center
If you have any questions, the Consumer Contact Center is available to help. With new filers and a new system, please be patient while agents work with other filers. It is also recommended to schedule a callback—you can do this right from the website. Use the drop-down menu to choose the topic, then pick your date and time.
I look forward to this new system making it easier than ever to receive the necessary services to file claims in the most efficient and effective manner. Please share this information with anyone who might find it useful. |
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| CT Investing in Transportation Infrastructure |
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| On Monday, state leaders announced six new express trains are now in service on the New Haven Line and service on the Waterbury Rail Line will increase 47%. These improvements will help make train travel more convenient and give passengers additional commute options. These upgrades come as part of the TIME FOR CT initiative to improve rail service in our state. This initiative is part of our state's plan to upgrade Connecticut's aging transportation infrastructure and transition to a greener transit system. Over the next five years, our state plans to invest more than $5 billion to achieve this.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) is focused on improving public transportation as a whole. DOT recently announced its first ever Customer Experience Survey. The survey is part of DOT's Customer Experience Action Plan that will shape the future of public transit in Connecticut.
Individuals who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing for a $75 pre-paid cash gift card. A valid email address or phone number is required to be entered in the drawing. The drawing will take place on September 1, 2022. |
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| If you're looking to work in Connecticut's great outdoors this season, it's not too late to apply for seasonal positions at our state parks and forests! Connecticut State Parks is continuing to hire campground office staff, ticket booth attendants, maintainers, parks rangers, and more. You can learn more about the seasonal openings and start the application process here. |
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The Connecticut Bar Association will be offering two FREE virtual legal advice clinics for residents. The clinics will be held on Tuesday, July 26 and Wednesday, July 27 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. During the clinics, residents will be able to meet remotely with a volunteer lawyer via Zoom for a 30-minute session to receive free legal advice in one of the following areas:
- Bankruptcy
- Fraudulent Business/Debt Collection
- Employee Rights or Unemployment
- Family Law
- Immigration Law
- Landlord/Tenant
- Pardons
- Tax Law
Pre-registration is required. Individuals must register by July 15, 2022. To learn more about these clinics, please click here. |
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| A milling and resurfacing project on a 4.72 mile stretch of Routes 10/202 in Avon/Simsbury from Route 44 to End Channelization (0.12 Miles N/O Route 167) will start on Sunday, July 17. The project is anticipated to be completed by Thursday, August 25, 2022. Motorists should expect delays and one lane alternating traffic. The work schedule is Sunday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Traffic control will be used to guide motorists through the work zone. Please use caution and slow down while you drive through the area.
Please provide yourself with extra travel time or consider using an alternate route. You can read more here. |
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Sincerely,
Eleni Kavros DeGraw
State Representative |
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