David Michel

To help you and our neighbors stay up-to-date on the ever-evolving stream of information related to the COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic, my office and I are working to provide news as it develops over social media and by email. This is a recap of some of this week’s highlights.

Below you can find information on the following topics:

• Enrolling in Health Insurance
• Assistance for Restaurant Workers
• Filing for Unemployment Insurance
• Legal Assistance for Undocumented Persons
• CT Safe Connect tool for domestic abuse survivors

For more information about the state's response efforts visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

To receive text message notifications, sign up for CTAlert, the state’s emergency alert system. To subscribe, text "COVIDCT" to 888-777.

Access Health CT Special Enrollment

There is still time to enroll in health coverage during Access Health CT's special enrollment period if you are uninsured. This special enrollment period ends April 17. Coverage will begin May 1.

To enroll, you must call 1-855-365-2428, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Customers who recently became unemployed and lost health insurance, need to verify information, or have questions about IRS 1095 tax forms, should visit AccessHealthCT.com for faster service.

Additional information is available here.

Assistance for Restaurant Workers

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation is providing grants for up to $500 for restaurant workers impacted by the current crisis.

Registration has re-opened today, April 9, and 20,000 new registrants will be accepted. This round will stop once 20,000 applicants have registered.

For more information or to apply click here.

Filing for Unemployment Insurance

The Connecticut Department of Labor continues to process thousands of claims filed within the past three weeks and has processed over 133,000 of the more than 302,000 claims.

Due to the high volume of claims, there is a 5 to 6-week processing time.

What can you do to help have your claim processed quickly? When you file, select "Temporary Shutdown" as the reason for separation from employment. Additional information is available in this tutorial here.

All claims will be retroactive to the week you filed.

Residents who have already filed a claim should check their email, including junk and spam folders, daily for updated messages from the Labor Department.

Some claimants may have received an email with the subject: "Critical Information from Department of Labor - PLEASE READ!"

This email was NOT spam and is safe to open and follow. The information it contains may help expedite your claim.

You can file an application at www.filectui.com, CTDOL's digital filing platform that is open 24/7 and may improve initial access to file a claim.

Frequently Asked Questions are updated daily on the CTDOL website here.

General questions can be submitted to dol.webhelp@ct.gov. A response can be expected in 5 to 7 business days.

Legal Assistance

People may be at greater risk of victimization during this stressful time. There are legal resources available to for undocumented people who may need help navigating through challenges related to the COVID-19 emergency.

Below are several legal resource assistance lines for undocumented people. All Inquiries and requests for assistance are confidential.

• Hartford County – Greater Hartford Legal Aid – 860-541-5000
• New Haven County – New Haven Legal Assistance – 203-946-4811
• Statewide – Connecticut Legal Services Immigration Hotline – 800-798-0671
• International Institute of Connecticut -Bridgeport - 203-336-0141
• International Institute of Connecticut – Stamford – 203-965-7190
• International Institute of Connecticut – Hartford - 860-692-3085

CT United Way/211 can also connect individuals to legal assistance in their region. Click here to learn more.

Also, please sign this petition by clicking here in support of undocumented workers.

"Unbelievably, the federal government has excluded our undocumented colleagues, friends, and neighbors from all relief. We need you to read, we need you to sign, and we need you to contact your state and federal legislators and demand that all workers be provided this economic assistance now." - James Bhandary-Alexander, Attorney New Haven Legal Assistance

CT Safe Connect

Domestic abuse victim-survivors who need assistance can contact CT Safe Connect.

It is a project of the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) that was developed as a way to make it easier for victim/survivors of domestic violence to access information, resources and assistance.

If you or someone you know needs help or just someone to talk to, please visit CTSafeConnect.org or call (888) 774-2900. Advocates are available 24/7.

Additionally the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved the governor's request to include domestic violence survivors along with first responders and health care workers who need to temporarily live separate from family or roommates, and those experiencing homeless.

The reimbursement guidelines authorize state and municipalities to receive a 75% reimbursement for the costs associated with providing non-congregate housing.

Last week the Governor signed an executive order allowing victim-survivors of intimate partner violence to file an application for a temporary restraining order or civil protection order remotely. Instructions and additional information are available on the CT Judicial Branch web site, here.

During times of crisis, we come together like no one else.

I am launching an effort with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to honor our friends and neighbors who are going above and beyond.

Do you know a first responder? A health care worker? Grocery clerk? Great neighbor? Nominate them for recognition!

I will feature these community heroes in my e-newsletters and Facebook page. And we are launching a new website to recognize everyone.

Please send me your nominee’s name, picture, street address, email or phone, and two sentences as to how they have made our community stronger during the pandemic.

Together, lets thank them for being them.

Nominate a Community Hero

Happy Easter

While Easter celebrations this weekend will be impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and social distancing measures, you can still virtually celebrate with friends and family or online with a church or house of worship.

This can be a great opportunity to connect with your loved ones over the phone or video chat.

I hope you have a Happy Easter Sunday!.

Thank you and as always please do not hesitate to reach out to my office if I can be of any help to you and your families.