Newsletter

April 14, 2021

In today's newsletter we will cover topics that include:

  • Stimulus: Money May Be Available To You
  • Upcoming Vaccine Clinics for Veterans, Spouses and Veteran Caregivers
  • Celebrating Ramadan
  • TCI-P: Separating Fact from Fiction, A Panel Discussion April 25, 2021
  • Women's Business Development Council Event May 3, 2021
  • The Child Tax Credit: Why It's Important and How it Works (video)
STIMULUS: MONEY MAY BE AVAILABLE TO YOU

This year’s extended tax deadline, May 17th, is just over a month away. Filing your taxes is more important than ever to ensure you receive critical federal stimulus money that may be available to you.

With the passage of the American Rescue Plan, there have now been three Economic Impact Payments over the past year, the so-called stimulus checks, made to individuals.

  • First Round - $1,200 per adult and $500 per child
  • Second Round - $600 per adult and $600 per child
  • Third Round - $1,400 per adult and $1,400 per child

If you didn't get a first and second Economic Impact Payment or got less than the full amounts, you may be eligible to claim the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit. In order to claim the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit, along with several expanded and refundable tax credits available to individuals, you must file a 2020 tax return, even if you usually don’t file a tax return.

The American Rescue Plan also expanded the Earned Income Tax Credit.  Previously limited to people over 25, the Earned Income Tax Credit is now open to

  • Individuals over 19
  • Former foster kids who are 18 years or older
  • Homeless youth (no age specified)

Stimulus

In addition, the amount available under the Earned Income Tax Credit for individuals without children has more than doubled to $1,500. Learn more about the Earned Income Tax Credit here.

If you need assistance filing your 2020 taxes, you can find a number of resources here.

UPCOMING VACCINE CLINICS FOR VETERANS, SPOUSES AND VETERAN CAREGIVERS

This just a reminder that the VA Connecticut Healthcare System has expanded COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to include anyone who served in the military (regardless of VA enrollment status), veteran spouses and veteran caregivers. This expansion is part of the recent SAVE LIVES Act.

While enrolled veterans remain VA’s top priority, those newly eligible are encouraged to attend one one of the upcoming clinics.

No appointment is needed but appointments are available during clinic operating hours by calling 203-932-5711 ext. 5627, 7784 or 7754.

Please see dates, times, locations and what vaccine will be administered at the clinics below:

April 14-16 from 8am-3:30pm
West Haven campus, 950 Campbell Avenue, Donaldson Center, Bldg. 2, 2nd floor (Pfizer)
 
April 15 from 8am-3:30pm
Newington campus, 555 Willard Avenue, Bldg. 2E basement (Moderna)
 
April 17 from 8am-4pm
Harding High School, 379 Bond Street, Bridgeport (Pfizer)

April 19-21 from 8am-3:30pm
West Haven campus, 950 Campbell Avenue, Donaldson Center, Bldg. 2, 2nd floor (Pfizer)

CELEBRATING RAMADAN

Ramadan, a holy month of the year for Muslims, began on Monday ends on May 12.

Ramadan Mubarak, Happy Ramadan, to all who celebrate during this time.

Ramadan

SEPARATING FACT FROM FICTION, A PANEL DISCUSSION APRIL 25, 2021

In December 2020, Governor Ned Lamont, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo, and District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreeing to proactively work together to cap and reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) from the transportation sector and to accelerate investments in an equitable, cleaner, and more resilient transportation system for Connecticut and the region.

The initiative introduced is the Transportation and Climate Initiative Program (TCI-P). Many individuals across the state want to know more about the TCI-P – what it is, how it would impact our residents, cities, towns and the public and private sectors.

Please join me and my fellow colleague and co-host Aimee Berger Girvalo (D-Ridgefield) on Sunday April 25th, 2021 at 6:30 p.m., for a panel discussion on the TCI-P program. We will be joined by DEEP Commissioner, Katie Dykes, and DOT Dep. Commissioner, Garrett Eucalitto, to break down fact vs fiction about the program.

Please register in advance for the event by clicking on the flyer below:

Fact from Fiction

WOMEN'S BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL EVENT MAY 3RD

I hope you can join me for a Women-Owned Small Business Round Table I will be co-hosting along with fellow State Representative John Hampton (D-Simsbury) on Monday May 3rd, 2021 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Joining us will be Women's Business Development Council CEO Fran Pastore and WBDC Business Advisor Sherry Konwerski.

You will have to register for the event. You can do so my clicking on the flyer below:

Women-Owned Small Business

THE CHILD TAX CREDIT: WHY IT'S IMPORTANT AND HOW IT WORKS (VIDEO)

If you didn't get a chance to join us for our discussion on The Child Tax Credit: Why It's Important and How it Works, I am providing the video for you right here. This was a good discussion and obviously important.

Child Tax Credit