|
|
|
|
| Friends and Neighbors,
I hope this message finds you and yours well.
As part of the state's efforts to reduce in-person visits and wait times at DMV offices, the DMV website will provide more streamlined services and more online service options for residents. The newly updated website will also offer expanded language options including Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.
In the coming weeks, Connecticut residents will be able to request refunds when canceling vehicle and vessel registrations and replacing lost titles. Until now, these services can only be completed using paper forms. Through these efforts, DMV wait times have dramatically decreased. Today, wait times are less than 15 minutes, on average.
You can read more about this here. Have something you need to take care of at the DMV? Click here to see if you can get it done through the new website. |
|
| WHAT HAS YOUR STATE REP. BEEN UP TO? |
|
|
| Congratulations to Sheba No. 1, Order of Easter Star on celebrating their 130th anniversary! The members of this amazing organization have a strong sense of service and faith, and have been active in serving the people of Ansonia and the Valley for generations. The Ansonia Chapter, the oldest in the state, hosts service initiatives throughout the year including a back to school supply drive, awards scholarship funds each year, and supports a variety of local nonprofits. Thank you for your steadfast service! |
|
| This past weekend, I presented a state citation to the Beyond Home Care team in Ansonia to celebrate its 15-year anniversary. In addition to this citation, staff from Senator Blumenthal's office and the Better Business Bureau honored the team as well. Employing over 150 and with their headquarters right on Main Street, this company is employing residents and providing essential care for people in the 104th and across the region. |
|
| It was a privilege to recognize honorees at Charters Hose Co. 4's Past Captains and Old Timers night! The volunteer service is a way of life, keeping residents safe at all hours and an entire department operating. We are so grateful to all of you for your service, the honors tonight are well deserved. Congratulations to all the honorees! |
|
| STUDENT LOAN DEBT RELIEF APPLICATION OPENS |
|
|
| Earlier this summer, the Biden Administration announced student loan debt relief, and I'm pleased to share that the application is now open!
The application takes about 5 minutes to complete and is available in English and Spanish. Applicants do not need to log in or provide any documents. Borrowers will have until December 31, 2023 to apply.
Nearly 40 million Americans will be eligible for this relief. Individuals making less than $125,000 per year and couples earning less than $250,000 could qualify for up to $10,000 in relief. Borrowers who received a Pell Grant are eligible for up to $20,000 in loan forgiveness.
The debt relief only applies to loan balances you had before June 30, 2022. New loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2022 will not be eligible for relief.
Student loan debt has anchored millions of Americans, preventing them from building wealth, contributing to their families, and engaging with their community. Borrowers' budgets have been further constrained by economic pressures resulting from the pandemic, geopolitical conflict, supply chain disruptions, and inflation.
This relief is a financial lifeline that could help many individuals and families across our state build a more stable future for themselves as student loan payments resume in January 2023. |
|
| The Connecticut Foundation for Dental Outreach, in collaboration with UConn School of Dental Medicine, is presenting the Connecticut Mission of Mercy Free Dental Clinic (CTMOM) on November 12-13 in Farmington.
CTMOM is a two-day clinic that provides FREE dental care to the underserved and uninsured, who would otherwise go without it.
The clinic opens at 8 a.m. on November 12 on a first-come, first-served basis.
Provided services include cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants, x-rays, oral health instructions, fillings, extractions, root canal treatments on front teeth, limited partial dentures for front teeth
During the past fourteen years, CTMOM has provided over 20,339 Connecticut citizens with more than $13,152,444 worth of free dental care.
For additional information, please visit www.ctmom.org. |
|
| Connecticut has launched its 14th Annual Safe Teen Driving Video Contest, which engages high school students on the dangers of distracting driving and the importance of driving responsibly. The announcement coincides with National Teen Driver Safety Week falling during the week of October 16 through 22. This year's contest is co-sponsored by the state Department of Motor Vehicles and Travelers. The contest is open to all public, private, and home-schooled Connecticut high school students between the ages of 14 and 18. Participants will produce a creative, unique, and effective video public service announcement that is up to 45 seconds in length and highlights how teens can practice safe driving habits while obeying our state's teen driving laws.
Winning students and their high schools will be awarded up to $26,000 in cash prizes. Students have until January 31, 2023 to submit their PSA. You can read the full contest rules and how to submit a video here. |
|
| MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT UNDERWAY |
|
|
| Medicare open enrollment began on Saturday, October 15. This is an opportunity to review your coverage and find out if you could save money on insurance.
Residents who are 65 years and older have until December 7, 2022 to review coverage, compare plans, enroll in a new plan, and potentially save money. Coverage will begin in 2023. Click the button below to learn more about the Open Enrollment process and get started. |
|
| If you need assistance choosing a plan during open enrollment, please call 1-800-MEDICARE. You can also call Connecticut's Program for Health Insurance Assistance, Outreach, Information and Referral, Counseling, Eligibility Screening (CHOICES) at 1-800-994-9422.
If you are not eligible for Medicare but need insurance coverage, the Access Health CT (AHCT) Open Enrollment period will begin on November 1. If you have experienced a qualifying life event where you lost your health insurance coverage, you can start the enrollment process prior to November 1. Learn more about AHCT Open Enrollment and Special Enrollment periods here. |
|
| SOTS LAUNCHES WEBSITE TO REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT |
|
|
| Pursuant to Public Act 21-2, the Connecticut Secretary of the State has launched an online portal for registered voters holding a Connecticut driver's license to request an absentee ballot electronically. Voters can visit myvote.ct.gov/GetMyAB to start the process on their phone, tablet, or computer. This is a step towards modernizing Connecticut's absentee ballot application, which may make it easier for certain voters to cast their ballot. You can learn more about the portal here.
In addition, as a result of a law we passed this session, more voters will be eligible to apply for an absentee ballot. Voters are eligible to vote by absentee ballot if:
- They are unable to go to their polling place on Election Day because of absence from their town for a period of time on Election Day;
- Because of a sickness; or
- Because of a disability.
The new, expanded eligibility includes voters who are unable to go to their polling place because of a sickness or physical disability of another person, or because of the continued presence of a sickness, such as the COVID-19 virus.
Click here for more information. |
|
|
Please feel free to contact me with any thoughts and concerns you may have on Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov or 1-800-842-8267. Follow my Facebook page for regular legislative updates.
All my Best,
Kara Rochelle
State Representative
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
