David Michel

The application period for the 2022-2023 winter season of the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) is now open! This program provides crucial support to vulnerable Connecticut  homeowners and renters with the costs of heating their homes.

The last day to order FREE COVID-19 tests by mail will be Friday, September 2. The Free COVID Test by Mail program will be suspended on Friday because Congress has not provided additional funding to replenish the nation's stockpile of tests.

Keep an eye out! More than $78 million in state child tax credit checks have gone out to eligible families in Connecticut! About 178,000 checks have been sent, with another 20,000 applications are being processed.

I want to alert you about a recent communication from the Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) on a series of text scams that include links to fake webpages resembling CTDOL unemployment pages, including the unemployment benefits login page.

President Biden announced he will sign an executive order which will forgive up to $10,000 of student loan debt for individuals making less than $125,000 per year (and couples earning less than $250,000). Borrowers who received a Pell Grant may be eligible to receive up to $20,000 in loan forgiveness.

In case you missed it, the American Rescue Plan Act delivered again! This past weekend, the Connecticut Department of Social Services delivered a one-time, back-to-school, COVID-19 relief special benefit! 

The U.S. Department of Education has implemented temporary changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program rules that make it easier for federal student loan borrowers to receive credit for past periods of repayment that would otherwise not qualify for forgiveness. These changes end on October 31, 2022. After this date, normal PSLF rules will apply.

If you're having trouble paying your energy bills, Eversource is hosting a FREE webinar TOMORROW, Tuesday, August 23, at NOON to discuss programs to help individuals with their energy bills.