Josh Elliott

GOVERNOR LAMONT PROVIDES UPDATE ON CONNECTICUT’S CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE EFFORTS (Latest Data as of 6:30PM on Monday, May 4, 2020)

NOTE: The Connecticut Department of Public Health this weekend transitioned to a new process to make the daily collection of data more sustainable. This means today's full report contains combined test data from both Sunday and Monday.

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

A county-by-county breakdown includes:

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, click here.

Free online job training program launches for unemployment claimants

Governor Lamont today announced the statewide expansion of a program that will make free online learning licenses available to recipients of unemployment insurance, including those who have been impacted by the economic fallout of the COVID-19 public health crisis. The SkillUp CT program will significantly expand access to comprehensive online course work from a leading global provider for thousands of Connecticut residents. Originally launched in eastern Connecticut, a sustained rollout of the program across the state over the coming weeks will enable recently laid-off workers to upgrade their skills and earn industry-recognized certifications even while the doors to most brick-and mortar education and training providers remain closed.

The program is coordinated by the Connecticut Workforce Development Council in collaboration with the Connecticut Governor’s Workforce Council and the Connecticut Department of Labor. Based on a successful model implemented by the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board, it is being offered through Connecticut’s five regional workforce development boards.

Eligible Connecticut residents will receive email instructions on obtaining a Metrix Learning license that provides them access to about 5,000 online Skillsoft courses in areas such as information technology, business analysis, customer service, project management, and digital literacy, among others. Anyone with an internet connection and a computer can access courses. SkillUp CT also offers training tracks leading to over 100 industry certifications and will provide career coaching through the workforce boards.

To enroll in SkillUp CT, unemployment insurance claimants in Connecticut should click here.

For more information, read the press release issued today by Governor Lamont.

CT Receives Federal approval in New SNAP Food Benefits

On April 24, Governor Lamont announced that the state has received approval for its plan to provide $72.3 million in SNAP benefits to children eligible for free and reduced meals at school. With unprecedented COVID-19 obstacles still on the horizon, the state is providing updated information regarding the P-EBT program.

Authorized by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, the new Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) program is expected to bring food benefits to about 270,000 Connecticut children who are not able to receive meals at school.

• All families in the 181 school districts in Connecticut participating in the federal free or reduced-Price Meals program are eligible to participate
• This number is comprised of 162 public, charter, and magnet schools, 11 private schools, and eight residential child care institutions

The Department of Social Services (DSS) initially estimates that it will issue approximately $34 million to 70,000 SNAP-eligible households and $38.3 million to 80,000 non-SNAP-eligible households for school closures extending from March 17 through May 20.

DSS estimates that SNAP benefits will be deposited in EBT accounts beginning in mid-May. Benefits can be used any location that accepts SNAP/EBT cards, including: Farmers’ markets and direct market farms authorized to accept SNAP benefits. P-EBT participants will also have online access to eligible food purchases through delivery or curbside pickup, when implemented in the overall SNAP program.

Families do not need to apply for these benefits, as children are automatically eligible because school is not in session.  The planned benefit is $267.90 per child enrolled in the free and reduced-price meals program.  Additional benefits may be provided if school closures extend beyond May 20. As Connecticut schools currently have a return date of May 20, 2020, benefits are only allocated until this date. Should the Governor extend the date schools are scheduled to be closed, additional benefits will be provided.