Critical Benefits Coming to an End & New Community Events

February 23, 2023
There will be changes for some of our most vulnerable individuals and families who are on Medicaid. Starting on April 1, the COVID-19 public health emergency protection will be coming to an end. Medicaid enrollees who were continuously covered will again have to provide proof of eligibility to continue getting benefits.

If you get your healthcare through HUSKY or DSS, you have not had to do your annual redetermination since March 2020. But starting in April, you will have to prove your eligibility once every year. In addition, you will need to provide identification, address, and proof of income.

The Department of Social Services Field Offices are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8 am - 4:30 pm.
MORE INFORMATION
In addition, extra SNAP benefits have come to an end. Since April 2020, some individuals and families received an extra SNAP payment on their EBT cards in the middle of each month. According to the Department of Social Services, it does not have control over when those benefits end since they are tied to federal legislation.

SNAP redetermination happens every six months. You will once again have to provide identification, your address, proof of income, and your social security information.

All households that are eligible for SNAP benefits will receive one payment starting in March. Those funds will arrive in the first three days of the month depending on the last name. Those in the program will receive their normal monthly benefit.

Households can now check their EBT balance in real-time by visiting www.mydss.ct.gov. On MyDSS, you can also update DSS with any case changes, complete renewals, view documents, or verify case status from a computer or mobile device.

To learn more as well as where to obtain resources for families dealing with the ending of the extra SNAP benefits, visit: www.ct.gov/snap/extracovidbenefits.

I am committed to helping everyone who needs assistance. My colleagues are continuing discussions on the termination of some of these expanded services.
 
COMMUNITIES CHALLENGE GRANT PROGRAM
Here is your chance to bring state funding to Stamford! The CT Communities Challenge Grant Program provides $1M- $10M in grants to improve livability, vibrancy, convenience, and equity in communities thoughout the state.

The program is designed to potentially create approximately 3,000 new jobs. Half of the funds are intended for competitive projects in distressed municipalities. We're on to Round 3 of funding in the challenge grant program.
 
Timeline: 

  • March 1, 2023: NOFA/Application Period Opens
  • May 3, 2023: Application Deadline
  • July 2023: Awardees Announced

The Department of Economic Community Development will host an informational webinar on Thursday, March 2nd at 11:00 am to provide an overview of the program and how to apply for Round 3. Please register using this link.
 
COMMUNITY EVENTS
 
The Palace Theatre is sponsoring a couple of programs for children who are interested in expanding their horizons. The first is the Symphony Space Global Arts program, which is FREE OF CHARGE! Your kids will explore cultures from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and indigenous people from North and South America.
 
Here's what you need to know:
  • Program runs from Monday, April 3rd - Thursday, April 6th, 2023
  • 9:30 am - 3:00 pm
  • Grades 3-5 (as of Sept. 2022)
  • The Palace Theatre at 61 Atlantic Street

Each day is filled with activities like physical warm-up, journal writing, storytelling, dance, music, elements of Chinese Opera (singing, acting, talking, sword fighting, and Chinese Ribbons), African and Mexican Rhythms and Dance, Japanese Taikoza Drumming, Capoeira Luanda, and Afro-Brazilian Martial Arts.
SIGN UP HERE
For the older kids, the Palace Theatre is offering a different program called Triple Threat Performer. In this two week program, children will immerse themselves in Acting, Singing and Dancing with a focus in the making of Art with A Purpose. The program is highly designed to encompass the diverse components of Musical Theatre.
 
A select group of experienced New York artists from Salgado Productions will provide students with the well-rounded training they require.
 
Here's what you need to know:
  • 2 Weeks, July 10th - 21st, 2023
  • 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
  • Ages 9-16
  • Fee: $800
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER