Anthony Nolan

Dear Neighbor,



Starting on April 1, the COVID-19 public health emergency protection will be coming to an end. Medicaid enrollees who were continuously covered will again have to provide proof of eligibility to continue getting benefits.



If you get your healthcare through HUSKY or DSS, you have not had to do your annual redetermination since March 2020. But starting in April, you will have to prove your eligibility once every year. In addition, you will need to provide identification, address, and proof of income.



The Department of Social Services Field Offices are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8 am - 4:30 pm.

In addition, extra SNAP benefits have come to an end. Since April 2020, some individuals and families received an extra SNAP payment on their EBT cards in the middle of each month. According to the Department of Social Services, it does not have control over when those benefits end since they are tied to federal legislation.



SNAP redetermination happens every six months. You will once again have to provide identification, your address, proof of income, and your social security information.



All households that are eligible for SNAP benefits will receive one payment starting in March. Those funds will arrive in the first three days of the month depending on the last name. Those in the program will receive their normal monthly benefit.



Households can now check their EBT balance in real-time by visiting www.mydss.ct.gov. On MyDSS, you can also update DSS with any case changes, complete renewals, view documents, or verify case status from a computer or mobile device.

 

To learn more as well as where to obtain resources for families dealing with the ending of the extra SNAP benefits, visit: www.ct.gov/snap/extracovidbenefits.

Keynote Speaker at the Department of Veterans Affairs Black History Month Event

I had the great opportunity to be Keynote speaker this week at the Department of Veterans Affairs Black History Month Event. I was able to mention one of my favorite black history icons in the City of New London - Spencer Lancaster – an amazing World War II Veteran of the 82nd Airborne Division is true Black History.

Mr. Lancaster was not only the 1st black elected official in New London. He was also the 1st Black Deputy sheriff in New London, and had a great influence on me becoming a peace officer. Mr. Lancaster was a staunch advocate for strengthening New London Schools, race relations, and racial integration in the City of New London and a staunch fighter for civil rights. Thank you Mr. Spence Lancaster for your service, mentorship and all you have done!



To get a recap of the event, click here. 

Speaking at the New London Magnet High School Black History Event

This week I had the honor of speaking on a panel at the New London Magnet High School for a Black History Event. Big thanks to Professor Kevin Booker and Superintendent Cynthia Ritchie for bringing us before the students for an informative panel and questions about black history month. And, this was the first event in the school's new auditorium.

Congratulations to Our Class M All State Cheerleaders! 

Please join me in sending a big congratulations to the New London Whalers Class M All-State Cheerleading Sophomores Tatiana Pemberton and Leilani Robinson! Thank you for representing excellence in your craft. New London is proud of you!

Congratulations to our Connecticut ECC Division 1 Champions

Big congratulations to the New London Whalers Girls Basketball team for securing the Connecticut ECC Division 1 Championships! New London won the ECC D-I title over Ledyard after trailing by four at halftime. New London came back to defeat Ledyard 65-39.



This is a great example of New London Girls Basketball staying focused to fight for the win - a great, great game! Congratulations y'all!