I've included several noteworthy items this week, including an update on the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Student Loan Reimbursement Program, and SNAP. You'll find more details below.
With Black History Month coming to a close, we proudly honor the Connecticut General Assembly's fabulous five black female legislators. Check it out below.
As always, if I can support you or your family—whether with the issues highlighted this week or any other concern—please reach out to me at Corey.Paris@cga.ct.gov or call 860-240-8585. Your voice matters, and I look forward to assisting you.
Special thanks to Stamford Health for having me in for a discussion at its Black History Month event. Please click on the short video encapsulating the day.
I enjoyed the Stamford Chamber of Commerce's 2026 legislative breakfast and panel discussion earlier this month.
Connecticut increased its Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to 40% of the federal credit for the 2024-2025 tax year, providing a significant, refundable tax boost to low-income working families. Eligible residents must file a state income tax return and claim the credit to receive it.
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), or Earned Income Credit (EIC), is a tax benefit for working people with low or moderate incomes.
The EITC/EIC is designed to reduce the tax burden on eligible income workers and to supplement their wages. Workers who qualify for the EIC and file a federal tax return can have some or all of the federal income tax withheld from their pay during the year refunded to them. Workers whose earnings are too small to have paid taxes can also obtain an EITC/EIC. The EITC/EIC also reduces any additional taxes eligible workers may owe.
Workers who raised children must file Form 1040 and must fill out and attach Schedule EIC to be eligible for the tax credit. Married workers must file a joint return to get the EITC/EIC. These workers write “EIC” (or the dollar amount of their credit) on the Earned Income Credit line on the tax form. They do not need to file Schedule EIC. Schedule EIC forms can be obtained by mail or downloaded from the IRS website: https://www.irs.gov/. Forms can also be obtained at libraries, post offices, and local IRS offices . These calculations are for the 2025 IRS Tax Schedule filing for the 2026 Tax Year - click HERE.
Beginning Sunday, March 1, important changes to Connecticut law will take effect regarding how the state will issue SNAP benefits.
Connecticut will begin staggering the distribution of SNAP benefits throughout the first eight days of the month, rather than loading them primarily in the first few days. This change is designed to:
Reduce congestion at grocery stores and retailers
Improve access to food
Create a smoother, more dignified experience for SNAP recipients
Generation Power CT's Emergency Energy Assistance Program Cycle #4 is set to open on March 2. Eligible Connecticut households can receive a one-time grant of up to $500 to help cover electric, gas, or fuel expenses.
To learn more about eligibility requirements and application materials, please click HERE.
I teamed up with fellow Rep. Eleni Kavros DeGraw for a short video clip to talk about the state's Student Loan Reimbursement Program. Please click on the image below.
The National Lieutenant Governors Association annually awards a scholarship to 12 different schools for STEM-related projects in the classroom. The first scholarships were awarded in 2022.
Teachers or project advisors in state-accredited public, private, or tribal pre-K – 12th grade schools may apply to further STEM education through a project, equipment, program, or curriculum. Eight schools across the country will be awarded $1,000 each, and four schools will be awarded $500 each.
Applications will be accepted until March 6. More details can be found HERE
The deadline to apply for the $3,000 Bohdan "Bo" Kolinsky Memorial Sports Media Scholarship is Friday, March 13.
The award is given to a Connecticut high school senior with plans to study in college for a career in sports media - print, digital, radio, TV, documentaries, production, or graphic arts. The scholarship is given in memory of longtime Hartford Courant school sports editor Bo Kolinsky, who died in 2003.
The scholarship is sponsored by the Connecticut Sports Media Alliance.
If you have questions, contact John Holt, scholarship chairman, at johndholt@yahoo.com. Be sure to leave your name and number where you can be reached.
Details, including how to apply, please click HERE.
Here's an opportunity for high school poets to, well, wax poetic, and earn some cash. Please See the flyer below for more details, including the deadline for submissions.
The Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) announced the next round of Ignite and Child Care Business Grant Programs.
The Ignite Grant Program is designed to help women-owned businesses grow. The program offers grants of up to $10,000 to women-owned businesses in the state of Connecticut who have been in business for 2 or more years and have revenues between $25K and $2 million. The application period for Ignite grants runs through March 18. You can find additional information on Ignite HERE.
The Child Care Business Opportunity Fund, offered in partnership with the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), provides grants of up to $25,000 to qualified licensed and aspiring child care businesses. The program offers grants targeting different stages of business, from start-ups to those ready to expand. The application period for Child Care Business grants runs through February 28. You can find more information on the Child Care Business Opportunity Fund grants HERE.
Information sessions for both grant programs are scheduled throughout the application periods. These sessions will help applicants understand the grant requirements and provide an opportunity for those interested to ask questions about the grants. Interested applicants can register for a live information session HERE.
Black History Month may be ending, but not before we honor five fabulous legislators from the Connecticut General Assembly who have made their own mark by being the first black female to represent their districts.
