Back To School Financial Support & Major Rail Upgrades On The Way

August 18, 2023

The start of the new school year is just around the corner, and you're going to want to take advantage of the upcoming deals on Sales Tax Free Week! Please read below to see how some children are getting a financial boost just in time for the tax holiday.

In addition, Governor Ned Lamont announced that Connecticut is purchasing 60 new rail cars, which will primarily be on the Hartford Line. Scroll down to the bottom of the email to learn more about that.

Back-To-School Financial Support

I am pleased to announce the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) will deliver a one-time, back-to-school cash benefit to 7,500 children across the state using federal Pandemic Emergency Assistance Funds (PEAF). This benefit will go to children aged 5 to 17 who were enrolled in the Temporary Family Assistance (TFA) program in May 2023.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specific information about the Saturday, August 19 distribution:

  • The one-time cash benefit is $55 per eligible child.
  • 4-year-olds who turned 5 by May 31 are eligible
  • 17-year-old who turned 18 by May 2 are eligible
  • Families do not need to apply for the additional funds, all eligible households will automatically receive this benefit on their existing electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards.

The cash benefit coincides with the start of Connecticut’s Sales Tax Free Week, which runs from August 20 – August 26, to help families maximize back-to-school purchases or other essential needs.
 
Connecticut previously distributed approximately $7 million in PEAF assistance in August 2022. The funding for this round of benefits came from a supplemental federal PEAF distribution.

Major Rail Upgrades On The Way

In an effort to upgrade public transportation and attract more business, our trains on the Hartford Line are getting some major upgrades. The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is buying 60 new, fully customized rail cars to modernize the state’s commuter rail lines.

The new rail cars will include the following features:

  • Spacious two-by-two seating
  • Panoramic balcony-style windows
  • Reliable Wi-Fi connection
  • Conveniently located power outlets and USB ports
  • Foldable workstation tables
  • Real-time information displays
  • Convenient overhead luggage racks
  • Easy access for passengers using mobility aids
  • Bicycle storage area

Some of these new rail cars will also run on branches of the New Haven Line. The first cars are expected to be delivered in 2026.

Click Here To Learn More On The New Rail Cars