Updates from State Rep. Gregory Haddad for Nov. 5, 2025

November 5, 2025

Late last week, I sent out an email regarding the current status of SNAP. On Friday, two federal judges ruled that at least some funding from the USDA emergency fund had to be released.

On Monday, the Trump Administration said it would release partial funding, but there's still uncertainty surrounding when/how that funding will be available.

In the meantime, if you are in need of food assistance, local pantries across the state are providing essential emergency assistance. Pantries are also seeking donations to help meet the growing demand.

Click here to find food programs and services available through 211 Connecticut. You can also call 2-1-1 or 1-800-203-1234.

Click here to find a Connecticut Foodshare food pantry or mobile food pantry.

Please consider making a monetary donation or even donating your time to Connecticut Foodshare if you are able. Click here to volunteer and/or to donate.

Help in the Community

Access Community Action Agency

Access Community Action Agency is a nonprofit that helps low-income individuals and families in eastern Connecticut achieve economic stability. It serves towns in Windham and Tolland counties, including Mansfield, by offering a wide range of services such as housing assistance, food security programs, job training, and energy assistance.

For more information on how to donate to Access or how to receive assistance from the organization, please visit here.

Foodshare

Please see graphic below for the dates Foodshare is in Mansfield.

For more information on how to donate or how to access Foodshare, please visit here.

Husky Harvest Food Pantries
Student hunger is a huge, but severely underreported, issue. The food pantries are accessible to anyone with a UConn ID. Students may browse the pantry during operational hours that vary by campus.

For more information on how to access the pantries or how to donate, click here.

Special Session

Next Wednesday, Nov. 12, the House of Representatives will be in a Special Session. You can follow along live on the Connecticut Network at ct-n.com or find us on YouTube and Roku.

At this time our potential agenda is likely to include votes to mitigate the negative impacts of massive funding gaps created by the Federal government in the areas of healthcare, food, childcare, WIC, heating assistance and school meals; improving children's mental health; strengthening data privacy and courthouse protections; and addressing CT’s housing shortage.

Local Elections

Congratulations to everyone who won their local elections on Tuesday, and thank you to everyone who ran. Our community is stronger with engaged citizens and the contributions of neighbors who agree to take on the responsibilities of leading our town. I appreciate every local official’s contribution to our community!

To view the results, please click here.

Preserving Public Service Loan Forgiveness

On Monday I stood with Attorney General William Tong as he announced his 39th lawsuit against the Trump Administration, this time regarding the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

Designed by a bipartisan Congress and signed into law by President Bush in 2007, the purpose of the program is to encourage people to serve their country by committing to careers in public service. Doctors, nurses, teachers, firefighters, social workers, are a few of the critical workers covered by this program.

The Trump Administration, including Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon, decided that if they feel that the organization or state or local government you work for as a public servant doesn’t comply with Trump’s agenda, then you can be denied this critical loan reimbursement.

This isn’t and was never intended to be a handout. You must make 120 consecutive payments to your loan and it must be in good standing for you to qualify to receive the reimbursement.

I join with my legislative colleagues at the state and federal level in opposing this arbitrary, capricious, punitive and unlawful policy overreach.

Lower Heating Bills

November marks the fifth annual Heating Assistance Awareness Month, and Hartford is partnering with Eversource to raise awareness of available programs to help pay or lower heating bills and keep homes warm this winter.

If you or someone you know is struggling to keep up with their energy bills, now is the time to get assistance this winter heating season. There is a plan for everyone, including:

Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP):

Apply to get up to $645 towards your heating bill from CEAP. Apply for CEAP online at CT.gov/heatinghelp or through your local Community Action Agency (CAA). Find your local CAA at 211.ct.org or call 211.

Energy Efficiency:

Take advantage of Eversource’s energy efficiency programs, incentives, and tips to help you save money and reduce your overall energy use during the colder months. Renters need permission from their landlords to participate.

Winter Protection:

If you provide proof of qualifying household income or public assistance benefits you receive for at least one household member, your service cannot be shut off between November 1 and May 1.

Visit eversource.com/billhelp to learn more about these programs. You can also find your local CAA for assistance at 211ct.org or call 211.

Generation Power

The Generation Power CT (GPCT) Emergency Energy Assistance Program opened on Sunday, Nov. 2, and will run through Nov. 10. 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. GPCT has three remaining Energy Assistance Application Cycles for this winter season: