Senator Anwar Update 5/27/2020

For a town-by-town breakdown and other COVID-19 statistics, please visit: https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus

Department of Labor To Create Disaster Relief Jobs, Employment, Training Services
The Connecticut Department of Labor has received a federal grant worth $2.33 million to create temporary disaster relief jobs, employment training services and other forms of support for dislocated workers in Connecticut. This funding, distributed from the Disaster Recovery National Health Emergency Dislocated Worker Grant, was awarded to assist the state’s recovery from COVID-19. The grant will be used to address critical needs including the unprecedented increase in unemployment, the strains of COVID-19 on public health infrastructure, and increased demand for workers in disaster relief and humanitarian jobs. The relief work will likely represent cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting public facilities; delivering medicine, food or other supplies to quarantined individuals; and health care support to assist the sick and vulnerable. Additionally, the Department of Labor will partner with five regional workforce development boards to implement these programs.

Foodshare Extending Rentschler Field Distribution through end of June
Foodshare has announced that it is extending its distribution operation at Rentschler Field in East Hartford through the end of June to continue to help those in need of food through the duration of the coronavirus pandemic. On average, Foodshare says it provides food to approximately 1500 households per day. The Rentschler Field distribution center operates weekdays from 8:30 a.m. through noon. People are asked to use the Silver Lane entrance to the stadium for pickup and gates will close each day at noon.

CT Launches 13-week Extension for Expired Jobless Benefits
Connecticut residents can apply for an extension of unemployment compensation under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. The CARES Act authorized a new Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program that tacked an extra 13 weeks of benefits for those who were already receiving benefits prior to the mass layoffs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under normal U.S. Department of Labor rules, unemployment benefits are capped at 26 weeks. PEUC allows for that window to be extended to 39 weeks. Qualifying individuals can apply for extended compensation at www.filectui.com.

Flags To Be Flown At Half-Staff For State Trooper First Class Baron Jr.
U.S. and state flags in the state will be flown at half-staff as a mark of respect for Connecticut State Police Trooper First Class Eugene Kenneth Baron, Jr., who passed away Monday, May 25 after a courageous battle with cancer. Trooper First Class Baron Jr. developed that cancer as a result of his response and service in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks in New York City; his passing is classified as a line-of-duty death. Flags will remain lowered until sunset on the day of interment, currently scheduled for Saturday, May 30.

Testing Data By Town Added To Daily Coronavirus Updates
The State Department of Public Health is now providing testing information on the COVID-19 pandemic sorted by town, the latest data added to its public information about the response to the viral pandemic. Daily updates on COVID-19 cases for all 169 Connecticut towns are now available by date reported, as well as total tests and cases by date collected and reported. All of this information is now available at ct.gov/coronavirus and data.ct.gov/coronavirus.

FEMA allows Connecticut to extend services for non-congregate housing
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, has approved the Lamont administration’s request to extend its non-congregate housing programs through July 2. These programs provide housing to vulnerable individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 or been in contact with COVID-19 positive individuals, also providing the state and towns with 75 percent reimbursements for all eligible costs associated with providing housing. Those at high risk of exposure in public service, individuals in at-risk facilities, first responders and health care workers who have been exposed and can’t return home, homeless individuals, and individuals in domestic violence shelters can all access this housing. Connecticut’s implementation of this program has been considered a best practice by the National Low-Income Housing Coalition.

Tax Reminders And Assistance
With many delays and adjustments made to tax schedules this year, please take time to utilize these taxpayer assistance resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. These options all will assist individuals who have not yet filed or who have other questions.

• Priority One Assistance Program: The Priority One Assistance Program offers assistance to businesses and individuals who have an existing collection matter with DRS. The new program, which was created to facilitate assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, connects taxpayers with a DRS professional, who will assist in developing a workable solution. Taxpayers seeking assistance can call 860-541-7650 on Mondays to Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or can send an email to DRSPriorityOne_CollectionsAssist@po.state.ct.us.
• File electronically: Filing and payment deadlines for Connecticut individual income tax returns have been extended until July 15, 2020. The easiest way to file – and the fastest way to receive a refund – is through online filing, including via the DRS Taxpayer Service Center, which is easy, secure, and free to use. Since Connecticut’s individual income tax return begins with federal adjusted gross income, it is often beneficial to complete one’s federal income tax return first. Taxpayers who file a paper tax return will experience longer processing times for refunds. DRS strongly encourages taxpayers and tax professionals to file electronically.
• Helpful information on the DRS website: The DRS website – portal.ct.gov/DRS – includes answers to many questions, and a Frequently Asked Questions page that is updated regularly. Taxpayers who need to contact DRS may email DRS@po.state.ct.us. To reach DRS by phone during normal business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) call 860-297-5962 (from anywhere); 800-382-9463 (within Connecticut, outside Greater Hartford area only); or 860-297-4911 (TDD/TT users only).

Connecticut Children’s, Senator Blumenthal To Host Virtual Town Hall On Families During COVID-19
On Friday, May 29 from 1 to 2 p.m., Connecticut Children’s will join U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal for a virtual town meeting, discussing how COVID-19 has impacted families in our state. Senator Blumenthal will update the public on steps the federal government is taking to help families during this time, while Connecticut Children’s representatives will discuss the efforts to keep kids and families safe and sound during the current pandemic. Following the speakers, there will be a moderated Q&A section. The discussion is open to the public but organizers request members of the public register in advance here.

Applications Accepted Beginning Today For Farmers Seeking COVID-19 Relief
Beginning yesterday, May 26, farmers who have been impacted by COVID-19 are encouraged to sign up for financial assistance through the federal Department of Agriculture’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. This program is eligible for producers of agricultural commodities experiencing price declines greater than 5 percent or who faced market supply chain disruptions with significant market costs. Commodities including non-specialty crops, wool, livestock, dairy and specialty crops are eligible; additional crops will be considered including aquaculture, nursery and cut flowers. To find program details including applications, please visit www.farmers.gov/cfap.

SNAP Families With School-Aged Children To Receive Emergency Benefits
Due to the cancellation of in-person classes through the end of the 2019-2020 academic year, the families of more than 250,000 school students participating in free- or reduced-price meals programs will soon receive additional emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to ensure children continue to receive proper nutrition. Funding for this program has continued since the cancellation of classes in March. The state Department of Social Services estimates it will issue roughly $34.5 million in additional food benefits to about 70,000 SNAP-eligible households and $63 million to about 81,000 households not currently enrolled in SNAP. SNAP families will have benefits deposited in their current accounts; those not enrolled in SNAP will receive debit cards in coming weeks, with deposits of funding to come in June. The planned one-time benefit is $364.80 per child enrolled in the program.

Online Food Ordering With SNAP Benefits Soon To Come
To lower the risk of contracting COVID-19, the Connecticut Department of Social Services is working with the federal Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, the state’s electronic benefit transfer vendor, and participating food retailers to implement SNAP online purchasing in Connecticut. This plan, federally approved earlier this week, may go into effect as soon as June 2. Enrollees will be able to use SNAP benefits to purchase eligible food items online for delivery or curbside pickup at participating food retailers, which include Amazon, Walmart and ShopRite. More details will be made available in the next ten days.

As Many as 75,000 Eligible For Extended Unemployment Benefits
The state Department of Labor will mail instruction letters to approximately 77,000 individuals who are potentially eligible to apply for 13 weeks of emergency extended unemployment benefits. The recent federal CARES Act included this extension of state unemployment plans, potentially retroactive to late March and in effect through December for certain individuals. Weekly benefits are based on wage history using unemployment benefit amounts; they will also include federal pandemic unemployment compensation benefits. These letters will detail further steps in the process.

CT AARP Virtual Events
The CT AARP is offering free tax aid and a variety of virtual events. Free tax software from AARP Tax Aide & Virtual Assistance can be found at:  https://states.aarp.org/connecticut/how-aarp-foundation-tax-aide-can-help-during-the-covid-19-pandemic

To register for any of the following virtual AARP events, please visit: https://states.aarp.org/connecticut/events-ct

• 6/3/20 @ 1 p.m. – What I Need to Know About My Electric Choices
• 6/10/20 @ 1 p.m. – Understanding Connecticut’s New Paid Family & Medical Leave Program
• 6/17/20 @ 1 p.m.– AARP Fraud Watch Network:  The Con Artist Playbook
• 6/18/20 @ 7:30 p.m. – Airing the documentary “Gen Silent” for PRIDE Month

For Medicare Essentials: Costs, Coverage & Other Questions Answered, click here to register: https://states.aarp.org/i-learned-my-medicare-choices-today-are-important-to-my-future-what-will-you-learn

• 6/23/20 @ 7 p.m. – Part 1
• 6/25/20 @ 7 p.m.– Part 2

Senator Saud Anwar

860-240-0347 or Toll-free 1-800-842-1420
www.senatedems.ct.gov/Anwar