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Access Health CT (AHCT) has announced that the deadline to enroll in health and dental coverage starting Jan. 1, 2025, is Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. Customers who enroll from Dec. 16, 2024, through Jan. 15, 2025, will have coverage starting Feb. 1, 2025. The Open Enrollment Period for Connecticut residents to shop, compare, and enroll in health insurance or renew their coverage began Nov. 1, 2024, and runs through Jan. 15, 2025.
Customers may enroll in only health or dental coverage, or both. AHCT is the only place state residents can get financial help to pay for their health insurance. Nearly 90% of AHCT customers receive financial assistance to help pay for their health insurance. Some customers might qualify for the Covered CT Program. This program provides no-cost coverage for eligible residents. |
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Free help to sign up is available online, in person, and over the phone. For a list of enrollment fairs and to register, visit the Enrollment Events webpage on the AHCT website. Information about enrollment locations and Navigator locations are also listed. Customers can also get help from a certified broker or enrollment specialist in their community.
Go to AccessHealthCT.com and click "Get Help" or call 1-855-805-4325. Help is available in more than 100 languages. Customers who are deaf or hearing impaired may use TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or call a relay operator. People can also chat live with a customer service representative by clicking the “Live Chat” icon on the website. |
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We are asking for hats, gloves/mittens, scarves, blankets, sleeping bags (the outdoor kind), wool socks, jackets/coats, and hand/foot warmers. The nights have already become chilly and we hope to do what we can to alleviate the pain of living outside for our neighbors this winter. |
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Please donate what you can at one of our great partners: Beanz & Co. (Avon); Imagine Float (Avon); LaSalle Deli and Market (Collinsville); Little Oak Cafe (Canton); and Liquid Nirvana (Avon).
Thank you for your generosity this winter.
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As you may recall, Representative Corey Paris, Representative Manny Sanchez, Representative Gary Turco, and I wrote and introduced the student loan debt relief bill in Connecticut.
Starting January 1, Connecticut college students will be able to benefit from a bill we passed to alleviate student loan debt. The reimbursement program, led by House Democrats and the first of its kind in the nation, provides up to $5,000/year for up to four years (up to $20,000) in loan forgiveness. Six million dollars has been allocated in the current budget cycle and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Office of Higher Education (OHE) may approve the participation of any person in the student loan reimbursement program who meets the following requirements:
- Must have graduated from a Connecticut state public or private college or university with a bachelor’s or associate degree or have an occupational/professional license or certificate or left such college in good standing and was granted a hardship waiver by the Office of Higher Education.
- Must be a CT resident for at least five years.
- Must have a Connecticut adjusted gross income of not more than $125,000 for single applicants and file a federal tax return as unmarried or have a Connecticut adjusted gross income of not more than $175,000 for married applicants and file a federal tax return as head of household, married filing jointly or a surviving spouse.
- Must have an outstanding student loan balance and have made payments in 2024 toward federal direct loans, federal direct PLUS loans, federal Perkins loans, CHESLA loans, other state-sponsored student loans, or a private student loan.
- Must have volunteered for at least 50 hours at a Connecticut nonprofit organization registered with the Department of Consumer Protection, municipal government, served on the Board of Directors for a nonprofit organization, or has military service after January 1, 2024.
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This program represents a true bipartisan effort and will have a direct impact not only on Connecticut’s economy but also on its workforce. Questions should be directed to OHE.SLRP@CT.GOV. The application process opens on January 1. For more information or to apply in January, click HERE. |
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Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the Council of State Governments national conference in New Orleans. The main reason for my attendance was to accept the Toll Fellowship medallion as part of the program I completed with 47 state government colleagues from across the country.
We had the opportunity to hear privately, and then as part of the plenary luncheon and award ceremony, from Mitch Landrieu, former Mayor of New Orleans, and the person responsible for implementing the once-in-a-generation infrastructure bill for the Biden administration.
He talked a lot about how to get work done (something he knows a lot about) and why placing “getting the job done” above party is not only the right thing - but always worth it.
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I also want to share that while there were colleagues from Connecticut at this conference, there were also colleagues at an additional conference in our hotel. It was incredibly touching to me that my legislative family from Connecticut took time out to gather and congratulate me. Congratulations to all of my Toll classmates, and especially those from the Eastern region. |
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Avon Historical Society President Terri Wilson was recently presented with the Avon Citizen of the Year Award by the Avon Chapter of UNICO National. Congratulations, Terri! Please click on the article in Patch below for more. |
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I wanted to pass along this along as a friendly reminder. The Town of Avon has set up a web page to inform those who wish to donate to one or more programs and services that assist Avon residents. Please click HERE and consider donating to the Avon Food Pantry, the Avon Pet Pantry, the Avon Fuel Bank, the Avon Special Needs Funds, the Avon Senior Center, or the Holiday Donation Program. |
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Please consider donating to DISH 'n Dat American Eatery in Canton to help those in the community in need this Christmas. Please see the details below regarding the 5th annual event, including how to be a sponsor. |
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A date that never gets easier. So many lives were affected on this day in 2012, and many continue to struggle with the trauma that followed. My thoughts are with the victims' families, the survivors of that horrible day, the responding law enforcement, and the entire Newtown and Connecticut community. Though time has passed, you will never be forgotten.
💚Charlotte Bacon,, 6
💚Catherine Hubbard, 6
💚Chase Kowalski, 7
💚Jesse Lewis, 6
💚Ana Marquez-Greene, 6
💚James Mattioli, 6
💚Grace McDonnell, 7
💚Emilie Parker, 6
💚Jack Pinto, 6
💚Noah Pozner, 6
💚Caroline Previdi, 6
💚Jessica Rekos, 6
💚Avielle Richman, 6
💚Lauren Rousseau, 30
💚Mary Sherlach, 56
💚Victoria Soto, 27
💚Anne Marie Murphy, 52
💚Dawn Lafferty Hochsprung, 47
💚Rachel D’Avino, 29
Sincerely,

Eleni Kavros DeGraw
State Representative |
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