Access Health Deadline, Energy Assistance

January 2, 2026

Dear Neighbor,

Happy New Year!

Access Health CT (AHCT), Connecticut’s official health insurance marketplace, today announced the final deadline to enroll in a health or dental plan for 2026 has been extended to Saturday, January 31. The original deadline was Jan. 15. Customers who enroll now will have coverage starting Feb. 1. Customers can also renew their coverage.

Recent state and federal changes mean the amount of financial help available and who is eligible have changed. However, financial assistance is still available.

Access Health CT is working with state officials on a plan to implement the new state subsidy program that will lower costs for eligible Connecticut residents who purchase their health insurance through the exchange.

Some customers might qualify for new state subsidies or other low- or no-cost coverage options, including the Covered CT Program or HUSKY Health, Connecticut’s Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

The state subsidies will fully fund the expired enhanced premium tax credit amounts for consumers with incomes between 100-200% of the federal poverty level and who are not enrolled in the Covered CT program.

The state subsidies will also replace 50% of the expired enhanced premium tax credit amounts for those with income over 400% of the federal poverty level and up to 500% of the federal poverty level.

AHCT is the only place Connecticut residents can get financial assistance to pay for their health insurance.

Generation Power Energy Assistance Opens Jan 2nd

The Generation Power CT (GPCT) Emergency Energy Assistance Program opened on Friday, January 2nd, and will run through January 10^th. This program provides a one-time grant of up to $500 to help eligible Connecticut households with electric, gas, or fuel expenses.

Increasing energy costs are a challenge for many in the state, but through this program, GPCT has helped to provide families across Connecticut with secure access to heat, power, and water.

All GPCT energy programs are available to income-eligible households making up to 75% SMI gross household income. Each income-eligible household that receives a GPCT Energy Assistance Award will receive up to $500 toward a future fuel delivery or toward a past-due utility bill. For the best chance of approval, and to make full use of this once-per-12-months grant, GPCT strongly encourages households to apply for assistance when you are most in need. After the January application period, GPCT has one remaining Energy Assistance Application Cycle this season: