August 14 Update: Tax Free Week, PURA Update, and SNAP Benefit Replacements

I hope that you have managed well after the storm and cleanup. Here is some information that I think you may find helpful.

Connecticut Tax Free Week August 16-22
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Connecticut’s Tax Free Week. During this one-week sales tax holiday, retail purchases of most clothing and footwear items priced under $100 are exempt from Connecticut sales tax.

For a list of included items, please click here.

PURA to Investigate Tropical Storm Isaias Response
The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) has started the process of investigating Eversource and UI in their handling of the mass power outages following Tropical Storm Isaias. They will evaluate whether the utilities’ response met regulatory and statutory requirements, and whether civil penalties should be applied. PURA is currently accepting public comments at pura.information@ct.gov. I encourage everyone to share their concerns with PURA.

SNAP Replacement Benefits Available if Food Lost Due to Tropical Storm Isaias
Enrollees in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) who lost food as a result of Tropical Storm Isaias can make a special request for replacement benefits. Individual requests may be made for reimbursement of the cost of food originally purchased with SNAP benefits and spoiled due to losing power through an outage of at least 4 hours.

To receive replacement benefits, storm-related food loss must be reported to the Department of Social Services (DSS) by September 3, 2020, at 4:30 p.m. by calling the DSS Benefits Center at 1-855-626-6632; or by filling out and sending in a form called W-1225 Request for Replacement SNAP Benefits.

Once a request for replacement benefits is received, the household will be asked to verify the food loss through a ‘collateral contact’ outside of the household. Examples would be a completed W-1226 Proof of Food Loss – Collateral Contact Form; notification from a utility company; or documentation from a community agency including, but not limited to, a fire department or Red Cross.