More Families Receive SNAP Benefits & Environmental Justice Forum

November 29, 2023


I hope you had a great holiday weekend! The state has changed eligibility requirements for its food assistance program. Read below to find out if you and your family are now eligible. 

My colleagues and I discussed the progress we have made on environmental justice and waste management at a public forum. Keep scrolling to learn more about the legislation we passed and how it helps our neighborhoods.

These are the sections in today's email:

  • More Families Receive SNAP Benefits
  • Environmental Justice Forum & Waste Management Conversation
  • Access Health CT Open Enrollment
 
More Families Receive SNAP Benefits

Nearly 9,000 more Connecticut residents in about 5,000 households are now benefiting from the state’s food assistance program. According to Governor Lamont, new income eligibility limits for Connecticut’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are making a huge difference.

The Department of Social Services, which administers the program, reports that individuals will receive an average of $185 per month in SNAP benefits in the coming year.
I encourage you to take a second look at whether you can benefit from SNAP under these new eligibility revisions. Learn more at www.ct.gov/snap.
CT Insider Article on SNAP Benefits
 
Environmental Justice Forum & Waste Management Conversation

Several advocates, colleagues, and I recently came together to discuss the progress we are making toward Environmental Justice at the Immanuel Congregational Church on Woodland Street in Hartford. The discussion revolved around the action we took last spring to pass a bill that Governor Lamont signed into law as Public Act 23-170. It addresses solid waste management, composting, and the winding down of Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority (MIRA) operations in Hartford.

The law specifically establishes the MIRA Dissolution Authority (MDA), which will work on:

  • Winding down MIRA’s operations
  • Identifying the needs related to redeveloping certain MDA properties
  • Creating a new operating board for MDA
More Details on Public Act 23-170
I pledge to continue supporting legislation that will reduce the risk of hazardous waste, lead, and air pollution in our great city. Environmental exposures have been linked to various damaging health issues, including cancer, asthma and other respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disease, neurological diseases, and developmental disabilities. We must act now to protect every community because this is already a public health issue that is only expected to get worse.
Thank you to Speaker of the House Matt Ritter for breaking down all the work we accomplished in 2023 and for being such a great mentor. I also want to acknowledge everyone who came out to listen and to ask questions about the direction we are going in as a state. Having an open dialogue with constituents is paramount to democracy.
 
Access Health CT Open Enrollment
You still have time to enroll, renew coverage, and explore the various policy options with Access Health CT (AHCT), Connecticut’s official health insurance marketplace.
If you are interested and have questions about the program, there are several ways to receive free assistance: 
  • In-person: There will be an enrollment fair on Saturday, December 2 at Noah Webster Library on South Main Street in West Hartford. CLICK HERE for more information.
  • Online: Visit accesshealthct.com. You can learn more about the different plans and find free help online using the "live chat" feature.
  • By phone: Call 1-855-805-4325. Help is available Monday - Friday,
    8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Customers who are deaf or hearing impaired may use TTY at 1- 855-789-2428 or call with a relay operator.
  • Work with a Broker: To find a Certified Broker or Enrollment Specialist, visit accesshealthct.com/get-help/

Do not miss the opportunity if you or your family need quality, affordable healthcare. Click here to learn more.