Iris Sánchez

Dear Neighbor,

I hope this message finds you and your family well! Congratulations to all the New Britain 2026 Graduates!!

Below, you can read more about my Summer Listening Session upcoming dates, find updates and announcements from the Capitol, and much more:  

• Willow Street Park Expansion Project
• Summer Listening Sessions
• Celebrating Juneteenth
• Access Health CT Special Enrollment Deadline: June 30th
• Upcoming Changes to SNAP and HUSKY Health
• New Britain Free Summer Meals Kids 18 & Under

As always, thank you for staying engaged, and if you have any questions, concerns, or if my office can be of assistance to you, please contact me at 860-240-8585 or Iris.Sanchez@cga.ct.gov.

Join us for our next Summer Listening Sessions on June 19th at the Ribicoff Apartments. I want to hear from you about what's impacting our community. This is your opportunity to ask questions, share your concerns, and discuss legislation. 

Listening Session Schedule:

• Friday, June 19th, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Ribicoff Apartments (67 Martin Luther King Dr.)

I hope to see you there!

Friday, June 19th, is Juneteenth.

Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in our country. For many years, this important holiday was primarily celebrated in the South, but was unknown to others from the rest of the country. However, thanks to great advocacy work, it is now rightfully observed throughout the country, including Connecticut. In 2022, the Connecticut General Assembly voted to make Juneteenth a state holiday.

Contrary to popular belief, the Emancipation Proclamation did not end the practice of slavery in America. It also did not end at the conclusion of the Civil War. On June 19, 1865, 2 months after the Civil War ended, a group of Union soldiers traveled to Galveston, Texas, and announced that all enslaved people were now free. They were among the last group of Americans to be notified of their freedom.

Although Juneteenth celebrates a momentous event in our history, we must also take time to reflect on the horrors of slavery and its lingering effects on our society. As your state representative, I will continue to push for legislation that will make Connecticut a better state for all. If you have any questions about Juneteenth, its history, and how it has been celebrated around the country, please check out this page from the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Access Health CT announced that eligible customers can enroll in a health insurance plan with Temporary Premium Assistance through a Special Enrollment Period that will end on June 30th. 

The Temporary Premium Assistance has provided over $1.6 million in savings for 10,580 Connecticut residents to date. At the end of 2025, Governor Lamont announced the Temporary Premium Assistance to help customers who lost financial assistance when the federal enhanced Premium Tax Credits expired. The Special Enrollment Period for Temporary Premium Assistance opened on February 1st, and customers can continue to enroll through June 30th. 

Customers who qualify for this Special Enrollment Period include: 

• Households with an annual income between 100% and 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) who are not already enrolled in the Covered CT Program. These customers will receive a state subsidy to replace 100% of the expired federal enhanced premium tax credit amounts.
• Households with an annual income over 400% and up to 500% of FPL. These customers will receive a state subsidy to replace 50% of the expired federal enhanced premium tax credit amounts.  

To enroll, customers can call 1-855-805-4325, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m, with help available in over 100 languages. Customers who are deaf or hearing impaired may use the TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or call 1-855-805-4325 with a relay operator.

For free help online, customers can visit AccessHealthCT.com. They can also chat live with a customer service representative by clicking the “Live Chat” icon on the website. Live chat is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. 

The Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) wants residents to be aware of new work requirements affecting some recipients of SNAP benefits and upcoming changes to HUSKY Health, eligibility rules. It is important to review the new requirements and determine whether they apply to your situation.

SNAP Work Requirements

As of November 2025, some SNAP recipients must meet one of the following work rules:

• Work at least 80 hours per month or earn at least $217.60 per week
• Participate in a job training or work program, such as SNAP Employment & Training, for at least 80 hours per month
• Complete at least 80 hours per month of community service or volunteer work
• Combine work, training, and/or volunteer activities totaling 80 hours per month

CLICK HERE to use the SNAP Work Rules Pre-Screener and find out whether these requirements apply to you.

Upcoming HUSKY Health (HUSKY D) Changes

Starting January 1, 2027, some HUSKY D recipients may be subject to new work requirements. To meet the rules, individuals must fulfill at least one of the following:

• Earn at least $580 per month
• Work at least 80 hours per month
• Complete at least 80 hours per month of volunteer work or community service
• Participate in a qualified work or training program for at least 80 hours per month
• Be enrolled at least half-time in an education program
• Combine work, training, and/or volunteer activities totaling up to 80 hours per month

CLICK HERE to answer a few questions to learn if the new proposed rules apply to you.

Connecticut's Community Action Agencies (CAAs) offer free, in-person assistance with SNAP and HUSKY Health benefits. To find the agency serving your area, visit: www.cafca.org/agencies.