Protect Yourself and Avoid COVID-19 Vaccine Scams

 As COVID-19 vaccine distribution begins, here are signs of potential scams:

• You are asked to pay out of pocket to get the vaccine.
• You are asked to pay to put your name on a vaccine waiting list or to get early access.
• Advertisements for vaccines through social media platforms, email, telephone calls, online, or from unsolicited/unknown sources.
• Marketers offering to sell or ship doses of the vaccine for payment.

Protect Yourself. Do not give out your personal information to unknown sources.

If you believe you have been the victim of COVID-19 fraud, immediately report it to:

• HHS-OIG Hotline: 1-800-HHS-TIPS I tips.hhs.gov
• FBI Hotline: 1-800-CALL-FBI I ic3.gov
• CMS/Medicare Hotline: 1-800-MEDICARE

PDF Flyer: COVID-19 Vaccine Scams (PDF)

The State of Connecticut has relaunched the THRAP rental assistance program for Connecticut residents impacted by COVID. Information on how to apply is on the flyers.

Download the English & Spanish Flyers:

TRHAP Phase 2 Flyer English

TRHAP Phase 2 Flyer Spanish

Applicants may visit https://www.chfa.org/trhap and directly
input their information into the TRHAP Portal.

Applicants may contact the Call Center at 860-785-3111, and an
agent will enter the data directly into the TRHAP Portal for them.

Connecticut Legal Services and its partners fought to get Paid Family Sick Leave legislation passed in Connecticut.  It is set to begin on January 1, 2021 and benefits will be accessible the following year.  The Governor announced a new website that will help all residents navigate the program.  Check it out here…

New Paid Leave Authority Website To Help Navigate Paid Leave in Connecticut

https://ctpaidleave.org/

Read our recently published Op Ed in the Hartford Courant yesterday on easing restrictions in nursing homes around family visitation:

Read the full article in the Courant

The state is opening its Temporary Rental Assistance Program starting July 15th, 2020.  There is a very short window to submit applications.

Temporary Rental Housing Assistance Program TRHAP FLYER

State of Connecticut Temporary RentalHousing Assistance Program (TRHAP)

• The State of Connecticut with financial support from the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority has launched a rental assistance program for Connecticut residents impacted by COVID-19, administered through the Department of Housing:
• Potential applicants will be directed to a Centralized Call Center for Threshold Eligibility, after which a detailed application must be completed, including verification of documentation.
• Initial priority for assistance will be targeted at individuals and families who have been denied unemployment assistance from the Department of Labor.
• If you are unemployed/under-employed and have not yet filed for unemployment assistance, you should do so as soon as possible.
• Please make every attempt to remain in contact with your landlord, and to make rental payments.
• Beginning 8 am on Wednesday, July 15, call the number below and speak to a Call Center Representative to determine if you qualify for TRHAP assistance. For

additional information about the program, please  visit https://portal.ct.gov/doh

1-860-785-3111

HUD flyer for public housing and voucher tenants that explains the eviction moratorium and different scenarios with respect to paying rent after July 2020.

Read the full Hud_nhlp_TenantFlyer_6.12.2020

Click here to download the flyer in English and Spanish.

COVID-19 EDUCATION HOTLINE

Connecticut Legal Services (CLS) has a NEW hotline for CLIENTS to answer your education related questions

How does the hotline work?

• Call with any questions about school, your educational rights, or your child’s education during the COVID-19 crisis.
• Eligible clients will speak with an experienced education attorney to help answer general and case-specific questions.
• The hotline will be staffed during regular business hours, between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday to Friday.
• If you are redirected to voice mail, please leave a message. You can expect to get a response within two business days.

(860) 786-6363  Call Now!

Legal Services to Host Q&A Session on Friday May 15, 2020 for our Community Partners

BASIC HUMAN NEEDS IN THE PANDEMIC & BEYOND
A CONVERSATION WITH SENATOR BLUMENTHAL
For Legal Services and Our Community Partners

Moderated by Alison Weir, Greater Hartford Legal Aid

Discussing federal aid in areas including:
• Rental Assistance
• Benefits (SNAP, HUSKY)
• Stimulus Payments
• Special Education

FRIDAY MAY 15, 2020 at 1:00 pm

Join Zoom Meeting

Please send email submit questions in advance!

For our Community Partners

What if I can’t pay my rent?
Can my landlord start an eviction in court?
What do I do if my landlord is harassing me?
And other current issues in housing…

with
Jane Kelleher, Connecticut Legal Services
Nancy Hronek, Greater Hartford Legal Aid
Mary Conklin, Connecticut Legal Services
Elizabeth Rosenthal, New Haven Legal Assistance Association

Wednesday, April 29, 2020 at 12:30 PM

IRS.gov feature helps people who normally don’t file get payments; second tool next week provides taxpayers with payment delivery date and provide direct deposit information.

Tesoro, IRS lanzan nueva herramienta para ayudar a los que no presentan impuestos a inscribirse para pagos de impacto económico.

Característica en IRS.gov ayuda a personas que normalmente no presentan a recibir pagos; segunda herramienta la próxima semana proporciona a los contribuyentes la fecha de entrega del pago y proporciona información de depósito directo

Read the full press release in English or Español