Dan Gaiewski

• SNAP Benefits Update
• Veterans Guide to Government Shutdown
• USS Utah Christening Ceremony
• Around the District
• Access Health CT Open Enrollment
• Generation Power CT Emergency Energy Assistance Program
• Colorectal Cancer Screening
• Local Events

As Americans face uncertainty over whether or not they will receive SNAP benefits starting tomorrow, 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. While a judge has ruled the administration must release the contingency funds, it is uncertain if they will. If the funds are not released:

• 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 and nearly 8,000 residents in Groton and New London, many of whom are children, seniors, and people with disabilities.

This week I joined my Democratic and Republican Legislative Colleagues from Southeastern Connecticut to write a letter to the Governor and Legislative Leaders about the uniqueness of the New London county’s food services and the impact the Government shutdown not only has on our residents losing their SNAP benefits but also the impact the shutdown has had on our military community and how we are in need of major influx of state resources. I am currently working with the Regions Food Pantries to see how we can assist them in this turbulent time.

Please click here to see a list of the Food Pantries from our region. You can access a version in Spanish here.

As the government enters its 30th day of being shut down, there are many questions about the services being provided for our veterans through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. While there are some services that are being impacted, critical services like the VA's primary call center and Crisis Line, suicide prevention programs, and VA benefits will not be impacted. You can read more about the impact of the shutdown on veterans at this link and in the graphic below.

Open Enrollment for Access Health CT's (AHCT) health and dental insurance remains on track to begin Saturday, Nov. 1 and end Monday, Dec. 15 for plans beginning at the start of next year. Residents can enroll until Thursday, Jan. 15 for plans beginning in February.

You may have received a letter in the mail warning of healthcare premium price increases starting Jan. 1 due to legislation passed in the U.S. Congress this year. Currently, the federal government is shut down as those price increases are debated and negotiated.

As it stands, state officials in Connecticut are encouraging residents to hold off on enrolling in the AHCT plan as the debate continues over those price increases. If you are able, please wait to enroll until the issue is fully resolved.

For those looking to enroll, please have the following information and documents prepared for you and anyone else in your household, even if they don't need coverage:

• Dates of Birth
• Social Security Numbers
• Visa, green card, or immigration documents
• Most recent W2 and/or Form 1040, 1099 
• Pay-stubs, Profit & Loss Statements or other employment information
• Current insurance coverage (policy numbers for any current health insurance plans covering members of your household)

You can click here to view the enrollment checklist.

Access Health CT's staff remains a valuable resource to guide you through this process and to tell you what to expect during open enrollment. To get in contact, you can :

• Visit AccessHealthCT.com and click “Get Help” for a list of places to get free, in-person help.
• If you do not have a broker, find one on the Access Health CT website. Visit AccessHealthCT.com and click “Get Help” and “Find Certified Broker.” Brokers are free to work with, and they are trained 
  and certified to help you find a plan that works best for you and your family.
• Call at 1-855-805-4325 - help is available in over 100 languages. Customers who deaf or hearing impaired may use TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or call a relay operator. Hours of Operation are Monday-Friday 8am-4pm (Holiday hours may vary, check website for details)
• Live Chat available at AccessHealthCT.com
• Visit one of their Enrollment Locations  

To learn more about the enrollment process and to find the plan that is right for you, visit Access Health CT's website.

The Generation Power CT (GPCT) Emergency Energy Assistance Program opens on Sunday, November 2, and will run through Monday, November 10! 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 2-10, 2025
• January 2-10, 2026
• March 2-10, 2026

Click here to learn more about eligibility requirements and application materials.

More than 50 million people – 1 out of 3 eligible Americans – do not complete colorectal cancer screening because they find the current options unpleasant or inconvenient.
 
Thankfully, physicians in Connecticut are beginning to prescribe Shield, the first blood test approved by the FDA as a primary screening option for colorectal cancer. This offers patients who may delay or avoid traditional screening methods a simpler, less invasive option for screening.

Veterans - The Shield™ blood test is covered as an in-network benefit for patients receiving VA-authorized community care. 
 
October is National Health Literacy Month, which is a great opportunity to emphasize the importance of understanding your health and making informed choices about preventive care, including screening for colon cancer. Knowing your options and discussing them with your doctor can help you select the screening method that’s best for you, including whether the new blood test might be suitable. 
 
Early detection saves lives, and expanding access to screening methods is a positive step toward better health outcomes for everyone.