Severe Cold Weather Extended, Access Health Special Enrollment, and more

January 30, 2026



 

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Dear Neighbor,

The Connecticut General Assembly will start the 2026 Legislative Session next week, on Wednesday, February 4th. I am looking forward to being back in the House Chamber and working for the residents of Bridgeport over the next several months.  At any time over the next few months, if you would like to discuss your concerns and issues you hope we address during session, please reach out to me at any time. 

In this week's email, you can find information on a special enrollment period for Access Health CT, learn about different Women's Business Development Council Grants, and more. If you have any questions or if my office can be of assistance to you, please reach out to 860-240-8585 or email me at andre.baker@cga.ct.gov. 
 

Extended Severe Cold Weather Protocol

If you have taken one step outside over the past few days, you know just how dangerously cold it has been with icy conditions making travel difficult and dangerous. In response, the governor has extended the state's Severe Cold Weather Protocol through Thursday, February 5th at noon, marking the longest activation of this protocol in more than a decade.
 
Forecasts now show that bitterly cold weather will persist even longer than expected, with well below normal temperatures continuing into the middle of next week. Overnight lows over the next 10 days are projected to fall into the single digits, with several nights dipping below zero.
 
Anyone in need of shelter or a warming center is urged to visit 211ct.org or call 2-1-1 to find available locations. Transportation can be provided if necessary.
 
Click HERE to learn more.  
Click here for a list of warming centers around Bridgeport
 

Access Health CT Special Enrollment Period

Access Health CT will offer a Special Enrollment Period for eligible customers to enroll in health coverage with the new state subsidy, starting Feb. 1st. The Special Enrollment Period end date will be determined.

The Special Enrollment Period is separate from the Open Enrollment Period, which ends Saturday. 

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% FPL. These customers will receive a state subsidy to replace 50% of the expired federal enhanced premium tax credit amounts.  

Eligible customers who have already enrolled or plan to enroll in a 2026 health plan will see a credit applied to their carrier bill.
 
It’s important to note that while customers will not see the state subsidy amount in AHCT’s online system until all updates have been made in the coming weeks, all eligible customers will soon receive a notice in the mail from AHCT with the amount of their state subsidy.

Insurance companies will send consumers updated premium bills with the credit for the state subsidy amount. This manual process will begin soon in advance of the system updates to be implemented in the coming weeks.
 

Women's Business Development Council Grants

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 from February 3rd through March 18th. 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 from February 1st through February 28th. 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. 
 

Emergency State Response Reserve Update

This Thursday, Governor Lamont submitted a supplemental plan to the bipartisan leaders of the Connecticut General Assembly to use funding from the recently created Emergency State Response Reserve in response to federal funding reductions and delays made by the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans to essential health and human services supports that the residents of Connecticut depend on for some of their most basic needs.

This supplemental plan totals $18.7 million and will be used for:

  • Funding to expand the reach of community health workers, who will play a critical role in helping residents understand and navigate changes to SNAP and Medicaid eligibility under Public Law 119-21 (commonly known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”). These workers will provide personalized assistance to help ensure individuals and families remain connected to the benefits they need through June 30, 2027, in the amount of $2,000,000.
  • Funding to support system upgrades at the Department of Social Services, ensuring the state can successfully implement the eligibility changes required by Public Law 119-21 in the amount of $11,400,000 for the state share of these costs.
  • Replace funding for mental health counselors provided by EdAdvance to schools in the Northwest region of Connecticut through June 30, 2027, in the amount of $830,000.
  • Replace funding for Community School grants for Clifford Beers in New Haven, Waterbury Bridges to Success, and Hartford Public Schools which provide critical wraparound services, including healthcare and childcare, to children and families in these communities through June 30, 2027, in the amount of $4,513,000.
 

As always, please feel free to contact me at 800-842-8267 or by email at Andre.Baker@cga.ct.gov. And for news and legislative updates, please visit my official Facebook page.

Sincerely,

Andre Baker

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