Kaitlyn Shake

I hope you all have a safe and fun Halloween! In this week's email, you can read about the current status of SNAP benefits, learn how to apply for energy assistance with Generation Power CT, and find information on state and local resources I hope you find useful. If you have any questions, concerns, or if my office can be of assistance to you, please call my office at any time or email me at kaitlyn.shake@cga.ct.gov. 

Stratford, I have some good news to share regarding the update of Stratford’s Veterans Property Tax expansion and Street Takeover law!

On Monday night, the Stratford Town Council Ordinance Committee referred both ordinances back to the Town Council. The next Stratford Town Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 10th at 7 p.m. in Town Council chambers. I invite all our Veterans and Gold Star Families to be present to witness this important and historical vote.  

During the next meeting, the council will discuss Ordinances #191-5.6 through #191-5.8, which expands Veterans tax relief, a new Connecticut Public Act I was proud to support in the General Assembly and brings relief to Stratford veterans. This new tax relief will benefit individual veterans, surviving spouses, and Gold Star spouses. The Veterans Property Tax will provide tax relief for those who are 100% permanently and totally disabled due to their military service. The council will also address Chapter 48 of the Code of the Town of Stratford, sections #48-1 through #48-7, to enact a new law to limit street takeovers. Under the new ordinances, municipalities will be able to seize illegal ATVs, dirt bikes, and mini motorcycles, and towns can fine and impound vehicles used in street takeovers. This new law also requires permanent license revocation after a driver's third offense involving illegal racing or street takeovers. 
 

This future local update is made possible due to the Connecticut State Legislature passing these two important bills during the 2025 legislative session. I’m so proud and honored to have supported the legislation and bring that energy back home to Stratford and work with our Town Council to pass it here on a local level.  

As I am sure you've heard, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) food benefits are ending on November 1st. This means 4,661 of our Stratford neighbors will not have access to food because of the chaos, cruelty, and corruption in Washington. 

First, I encourage everyone everywhere to make donations of food and money to your local food pantries or food banks.
 
Second, we are working at the state level to understand the conflicting and confusing information coming from federal agencies, and we're developing action plans.
 
Please understand that there are 360,000 people in Connecticut who depend on SNAP. That includes 120,000 children and 90,000 seniors. In total, 122,400 recipients are working.
 
This week, Governor Ned Lamont announced $3 million in emergency state funding for Connecticut Foodshare, the state’s largest food bank, to assist residents expected to lose access to federal food assistance due to the shutdown of the federal government.

The Trump administration, through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has stated it will not use its $6 billion contingency fund to continue funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the shutdown, nor will it reimburse states that attempt to cover the cost. As a result:

• No new SNAP benefits will be distributed after November 1.
• If you have a balance from previous months, it is expected that those carryover benefits already on EBT cards will remain accessible after November 1.
• DSS is still accepting and processing SNAP applications. If someone is approved for benefits for October, those benefits will appear on their card when the federal government reopens.

This cut in federal aid will affect an estimated 42 million low-income Americans, including about 360,000 Connecticut residents, many of whom are children, seniors, those with disabilities, and veterans.

While the $3 million in state aid will not replace the full scope of lost federal benefits, it reflects Connecticut’s commitment to supporting residents facing food insecurity during the shutdown. The Department of Social Services (DSS) and other state agencies are continuing to monitor the situation and consider additional measures to assist affected households.

Local food pantries across the state are providing essential assistance to those in need and 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.

Here in Stratford, the Sterling Community Center Food Pantry will continue to provide services to Stratford residents. The Food Pantry hours are:

• Monday: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Tuesday: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Thursday: 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Generation Power CT (GPCT) Emergency Energy Assistance Program opens on Sunday, November 2nd, and will run through November 10th! 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:

• November 2nd-10th, 2025
• January 2nd-10th, 2026
• March 2nd-10th, 2026

 
To learn more about eligibility requirements and application materials, go to: https://gpct.org/gethelp/