Back-To-School Cash Benefit For Kids, Detours Near Transportation Center, and New Rail Cars Coming

August 22, 2023


Sales Tax Free Week is under way, and thousands of children are getting a financial boost to take advantage of all those deals. Please read below to learn how your family can get help with your back-to-school list.

The massive project to revamp the Stamford Transportation Center is nearly complete. As crews keep working, drivers will need to follow new detours. You will find all of that information in this newsletter.

Finally, commuters who take the train will be thrilled to hear that 60 new rail cars are coming to Connecticut. Please read below to find out how those cars will change your train experience. 

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          Back-To-School Cash Benefit For Kids
          I am pleased to announce the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) delivered a one-time, back-to-school cash benefit to 7,500 children in Stamford and 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.
           

          More Detours at Transportation Center
          We are entering the home stretch of all the work surrounding the upgraded Stamford Transportation Center (STC). Drivers can expect delays as crews continue installing the 320-foot pedestrian bridge connecting the new garage to the STC.

          The following roads will be closed from 7 A.M on Saturday, August 26 until 7 A.M. on Sunday, August 27 and from Monday, August 28 through September 1 during non-peak hours (7:00 P.M. until 7:00 A.M):
          • South State Street between Greenwich Avenue and Washington Boulevard
          • Washington Boulevard between North State Street and Station Place

          These closures are weather dependent and not expected to span the entire week.
          Here is the detour information:
          • Drivers heading south approaching South State Street will be detoured north along Greenwich Avenue to Richmond Hill Avenue. 
          • Traffic will then be detoured further north along Clinton Avenue to US Route 1 (Tresser Boulevard)
          • Motorists will then go south onto Atlantic where they can pick up South State Street again. 
          • Traffic heading north along Washington Boulevard will be detoured east along Henry Street to Atlantic Avenue and then west along North State Street, and back onto Washington Boulevard
          • Drivers traveling south along Washington Boulevard will be detoured west along Richmond Hill Avenue to Clinton Avenue where they will follow signs onto US Route 1 (Tresser Boulevard) and then south onto Atlantic Street
          • From Atlantic Street they will turn west onto Henry Street, and back onto Washington Boulevard

          The $77 million project is expected to be completed in September.
           

          Major Rail Upgrades On The Way
          In an effort to upgrade public transportation and attract more business, our trains on the New Haven 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 Hartford Line. The first cars are expected to be delivered in 2026.
          Click Here To Learn More About The New Rail Cars
           

          Protecting The Elderly
          During session, we successfully passed legislation that protects and supports individuals in the state who are in the twilight years of their life. Unfortunately, as the elderly population steadily rises, scam attempts against that community also increases. To help shield our older residents from being victimized, we passed Public Act 23-161, AN ACT CONCERNING FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION OF SENIOR CITIZENS.

          Starting July 1, 2024, banks and credit unions will have the power to temporarily suspend or hold transactions involving an account of an adult over the age of 60 if there is a reasonable suspicion of financial exploitation for up to 45 days. 
          Below are some of the highlights of Aging bills we passed this year:
          • Established a new coordinator of state services for people with dementia
          • Expanded eligibility for seniors to participate in adult day services (serving those with early onset dementia)
          • Strengthened patient's involvement in their homemaker care plans and streamlined the process for filing complaints
          • Required homemaker companion companies to provide notice to their clients before they abruptly close and prohibited any increases in rates without at least 60-day notice
          • Increased funding for elderly nutrition and Meals on Wheels

          The elderly deserve our protection and support. The legislation that we passed will help make this possible.