Celebrating Juneteenth
June 18, 2026
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Dear Neighbor,
I hope you are having a great week.
Please read below for updates in our community!
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June is Pride Month! Let’s celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and reaffirm our commitment to equality, dignity, and opportunity for all. During the 2026 legislative session, we strengthened protections against hate crimes and expanded access to fertility care for LGBTQ+ couples and individuals. While other states have moved backward, Connecticut continues to protect access to care, defend against discrimination, and ensure that everyone can live, love, work, and raise a family with the freedom and respect they deserve.
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Tomorrow is Juneteenth, a holiday that marks the end of slavery in the United States and celebrates the resilience and contributions of the Black community. Let's continue to strive for equality, justice, and freedom for all.
If you are looking for a way to celebrate, New Haven is hosting Juneteenth in the Plaza tomorrow from 5:30 - 8:30 PM. Please see the flyer for more information.
The Peabody Museum will also have a Juneteenth program next Saturday, June 27 from 10 AM - 3 PM. Click here to learn more.
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Earlier this week, I joined Representative Rosa DeLauro, Mayor Adam Sendroff, State Representative Mary Welander and other local leaders for a press conference to celebrate over $1 million in federal funding coming into Hamden.
The funding, which was secured by Representative DeLauro, will be used to build an Emergency Operations Center. Once built, the EOC will provide our community with critical resources in a time of crisis. Thank you again to Rep. DeLauro for fighting for Hamden!
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The Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) is alerting residents to prepare for changes to SNAP and HUSKY Health.
The good news: most people will not lose their benefits. However, it is important to review the new requirements and determine whether they apply to your situation.
SNAP Work Requirements
As of November 2025, some SNAP recipients must meet one of the following work rules:
- Work at least 80 hours per month or earn at least $217.60 per week
- Participate in a job training or work program, such as SNAP Employment & Training, for at least 80 hours per month
- Complete at least 80 hours per month of community service or volunteer work
- Combine work, training, and/or volunteer activities totaling 80 hours per month
Click here to use the SNAP Work Rules Pre-Screener and find out whether these requirements apply to you.
Upcoming HUSKY Health (HUSKY D) Changes
Starting January 1, 2027, some HUSKY D recipients may be subject to new work requirements. To meet the rules, individuals must fulfill at least one of the following:
- Earn at least $580 per month
- Work at least 80 hours per month
- Complete at least 80 hours per month of volunteer work or community service
- Participate in a qualified work or training program for at least 80 hours per month
- Be enrolled at least half-time in an education program
- Combine work, training, and/or volunteer activities totaling up to 80 hours per month
Click here to answer a few questions to learn if the new proposed rules apply to you.
These rules do not start until 2027 and may change before then. This tool provides answers based on the current status of the rules.
Connecticut's Community Action Agencies (CAAs) offer free, in-person assistance with SNAP and HUSKY Health benefits. To find the agency serving your area, visit: www.cafca.org/agencies.
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Connecticut is allocating $8.5 million from its Federal Cuts Response Fund to provide $300 grocery assistance cards to roughly 25,000 residents who are expected to lose their SNAP benefits due to federal rule changes enacted by the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans. This investment aims to protect vulnerable families and ensure they can continue putting food on the table in lieu of these federal cutbacks.
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Time is running out to sign up for Access Health CT's health insurance plan with Temporary Premium Assistance!
The Temporary Premium Assistance program was created to help customers who lost all financial assistance when the federal enhanced Premium Tax Credits expired late last year.
The program has provided over $1.6 million in savings for 10,580 Connecticut residents so far.
The Special Enrollment Period for the event will end Tuesday, June 30, and I hope you'll consider applying!
Customers who qualify for this Special Enrollment Period include:
- Households with an annual income between 100% and 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), who are not already enrolled in the Covered CT Program. These customers will receive a state subsidy to replace 100% of the expired federal enhanced Premium Tax Credit amounts.
- Households with an annual income over 400% and up to 500% of the FPL. These customers will receive a state subsidy to replace 50% of the expired federal enhanced Premium Tax Credit amounts.
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More than 97,000 Connecticut residents began receiving letters this month notifying them that some or all of their medical debt has been eliminated.
Medical debt places a significant financial burden on families in communities across Connecticut. This marks the fourth round of the state's medical debt relief initiative, which provides meaningful assistance to qualifying residents who are struggling to pay outstanding medical bills. Since the program launched in 2024, more than 252,000 Connecticut residents have had over $513 million in medical debt cancelled, helping families regain financial stability and peace of mind.
Residents whose medical debt has been forgiven will receive a letter in an Undue Medical Debt-branded envelope featuring the Connecticut state seal. These notifications are legitimate and do not require any action on the recipient's part.
Governor Lamont will continue partnering with Undue Medical Debt to provide additional relief throughout this year. To support this effort, the Governor and the Connecticut General Assembly approved legislation making $6.5 million in federal ARPA funding available for the initiative through 2026.
This program continues to demonstrate Connecticut's commitment to easing financial hardship for residents and ensuring that unexpected medical expenses do not become a long-term obstacle to economic security.
Click here to read the full release from the governor's office.
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ICYMI - the 2026 Legislative Session Major Public Acts document is now available. The document, composed by the Office of Legislative Research (OLR) with assistance from the Office of Fiscal Analysis (OFA), briefly describes the most significant, far-reaching, and publicly debated acts adopted by the General Assembly in the 2026 regular session.
Click here or the graphic below to access the full report.
If you're interested in more information on bills that passed and didn't pass this legislative session, please click here.
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The Town Clerk Office is looking for feedback on municipal service and information accessibility. Click here to take their resident survey.
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Upcoming Events
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ICYMI
Connecticut’s Renters’ Rebate Program is now open to eligible renters who are elderly or living with a disability and meet certain income requirements.
Qualified applicants may receive rebates of up to $900 for married couples and $700 for single individuals. The rebate amount is determined using a graduated income scale, as well as the total rent and utility payments (excluding telephone) made during the previous calendar year.
Applications must be submitted through your local municipality’s assessor’s office or a designated social service agency. The application period is now open and will run through September 30. Please note that no extensions are permitted, and all applications must be received by the municipality no later than September 30.
Click here for more information about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
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Sincerely,
Laurie Sweet
State Representative
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