Dear Neighbors,
As our nation, state, and local communities continue to cope with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, my fellow House Republicans and I are doing our best to get you timely and accurate information in a time of information overload and rumors making their way around social media. I have included several informational links below for your convenience.
Virtual Town Hall Meeting For Small Businesses Impacted by the Coronavirus
Later today, Thursday March 26, 2020, Governor Ned Lamont, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, and U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro will lead a virtual town hall meeting on federal and state efforts to assist employers and employees impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic at 5:00 PM.
They will be joined by Connecticut Department of Labor Commissioner Kurt Westby and Department of Economic and Community Development Deputy Commissioner Glendowlyn Thames. The discussion will be moderated by Founder and CEO of the Women's Business Development Council Fran Pastore.
Participants Can Join the Zoom Video Town Hall Meeting at:
Or by Telephone at:
(646) 558-8656
Webinar ID: 364 340 964
Daily update from the governor's office
Each afternoon, Governor Lamont and his staff update the public on the ongoing crisis and actions the state is taking at a press conference. These updates are posted on the state's Coronavirus web page which you can view here. There is also a useful Frequently Asked Questions document that you can view here.
Information for business owners and workers
Governor's Guidance on "Non Essential" Businesses
In case you missed it, last week the governor issued an executive order closing all "non-essential" businesses. Click here to read guidance on the governor's order. If you'd like to request an exemption for your business, click here.
Connecticut Recovery Bridge Loan Program
To provide emergency cash flow relief to small businesses and nonprofits negatively impacted by the coronavirus, Connecticut is now offering qualifying organizations with 100 or fewer employees access to no-interest loans. Under the Connecticut Recovery Bridge Loan program, a qualifying business or nonprofit organization can apply for a loan of up to $75,000 or three months of operating expenses (whichever is lesser). This $25 million short-term emergency loan program will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The program will be administered by the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) and expedited with the administrative and underwriting support of Connecticut Innovations. To read more about the program you can click here. To apply for a business bridge loan, click here.
DECD's Business Emergency Response Unit
The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development has created a COVID-19 Business Emergency Response Unit dedicated to assisting businesses navigate resources and develop new resources. A dedicated phone line is available at 860-500-2333 to provide assistance to Connecticut's small businesses for this purpose.
Unemployment assistance
Workers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic no longer must be actively searching for work to qualify for unemployment assistance. And employers who are furloughing workers can use the Department of Labor’s shared work program, which allows businesses to reduce working hours and have those wages supplemented with unemployment insurance. Click here for information.
Paid leave, federal action in this crisis
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act was quickly moved through Congress and signed into law. The Act takes effect April 2nd. You can read the full bill here, and a summary here. Check out the links below for information about benefits and what's required of workers and employees.
Public Schools and Public University Update
School closure order extended by the governor
Room and board refunds at Connecticut State Colleges and Universities
The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system made a few announcements Wednesday, including news that the universities will credit student accounts for unused room and board by next week. Thereafter, any credit balance will be refunded to students. CSCU stated that its institutions will not refund tuition and fees because they are converting to an online instruction model for the remainder of the term in order to complete the coursework students have begun this semester. You can read the CSCU press release here.
Red Cross Announces a Severe Blood Shortage
One of the most important things you can do to ensure that we do not have another healthcare crisis on top of COVID-19 is to give blood. There is currently a severe blood shortage. This blood shortage could impact patients who depend on lifesaving blood to survive.
In partnership with the American Red Cross the Connecticut State Police is hosting a blood drive on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 from 9 AM to 2 PM at the Connecticut Policy Academy. You must make an appointment to donate blood at this drive.
Added precautions have been implemented to ensure that blood drives and donation centers are safe for donors and their staff.
To find a blood drive in your area and make an appointment to donate, please go to this link and put in your zip code.
Access CT Health Special Enrollment Ends Thursday, April 2, 2020.
Uninsured individuals can sign up for health insurance coverage through Access Health CT during the NEW Special Enrollment Period from Thursday, March 19 – Thursday, April 2, 2020.
The effective date of coverage for all enrollments during the NEW Special Enrollment Period will be April 1, 2020.
The only way to sign up for this NEW Special Enrollment Period is by calling 855-365-2428.
Individuals who experience a Qualifying Life Event (e.g. loss of coverage due to job change or unemployment) or qualify for Medicaid/Children’s Health Program (CHIP), can ALWAYS enroll online, in-person or over the phone and all help is free. To learn more, click here.
Sincerely,
State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria
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