programs that help people in connecticut - Town of Vernon

Property Tax Exemptions for Veterans
State law provides for a $1,000 (or more in some towns) basic property
tax exemption for veterans who were honorably discharged after having
actively served at least 90 days during war time. The veteran’s original
copy of his/her Honorable Discharge (DD-214 Form) must be filed in
the Land Records of the town of residence prior to October 1 in order
that the exemption may be granted. Veterans who have received a disability
rating from the Veterans’ Administration of at least 10% are also
eligible for a property tax exemption. The exemption amount, which
ranges from $1,500 to $3,000, is dependent on the percentage of disability.
All veterans receiving the basic benefit will get an additional exemption
of at least 50%. Veterans who can meet certain income requirements
are now eligible for an additional exemption of 200% of the basic exemption.
The additional exemption may also be granted to the unmarried
surviving spouse or minor child of a veteran, or the sole surviving
parent of an unmarried deceased veteran who can meet the applicable
income requirements. An application must be filed biennially with the
local tax assessor’s office of the town of residence between February 1
and October 1.
Local Option Veterans’ Property Tax
Exemptions
Some towns in Connecticut have income-dependent local option veterans’
tax exemptions. An eligible veteran may be entitled to an additional
exemption of $1,000. An annual application must be made prior to October
1, with the tax assessor of the town of residence.
Money Management
Financial Literacy
Money Matter$
Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) offers a Money Matter$ program to
help customers on limited incomes take a close look at how to manage
their household income and reduce their overall energy burdens. Basic
money management skills, setting goals, developing a spending plan,
reducing expenses, and debt reduction are topics included in the program.
Real-life examples engage participants and empower them to
manage their household’s resources to achieve their financial goals.
Participants receive a complimentary calculator and notebook. To arrange
a workshop for your organization or group, Contact: CL&P Community
Relations. Telephone: (860) 721-4007.
Connecticut Association for Human Services
(CAHS)
CAHS advocates for public policies that move families out of poverty to
self-sufficiency and economic security. CAHS supports the creation of
a state Earned Income Tax Credit, the funding of work force development
programs, and improving access to quality child care. Community-based
agencies, trained by CAHS, provide access to basic needs
and financial management education. CAHS helps low-income workers
access free tax preparation by working with community agencies to open
new Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites in underserved areas
of the state. Address: 110 Bartholomew Avenue, Suite 4030, Hartford,
CT 06106-2201. Telephone: (860) 951-2212. Website: cahs.org.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
(FDIC)
FDIC’s Community Affairs Program promotes financial literacy through
the Money Smart curriculum, working jointly with financial institutions,
community organizations and other stakeholders on community development.
In addition to supporting classroom financial education, FDIC
offers a tutorial version of Money Smart for individual study available at
Website: fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/moneysmart/mscbi/mscbi.html.
The Boston Area Office covers all of New England. Address: Community
Affairs Officer, FDIC, 15 Braintree Hill Office Park, Suite 300,
Braintree, MA 02184. Telephone: (781) 794-5632. E-mail:
tdelessio@fdic.gov. National Website: fdic.gov.
FDIC Money Smart Agencies:
Statewide Connecticut Department of
Labor (IDA Programs) (860) 263-6794
Danbury Bridge to Independence &
Career Opportunities (203) 743-6695
Danielson Connecticut Works One Stop Center (860) 779-5850
Hartford Capitol Region Education Council (860) 247-2732
Hartford Connecticut Association for
Human Services (860) 951-2212
Hartford Bank of America, Consumer Banking
and Distribution 1-800-841-4000
New Britain Neighborhood Housing Services (860) 224-2433
New Haven Community Action Agency (203) 387-7700
Stamford CTE (203) 352-4846
Thomaston Thomaston Savings Bank (860) 283-1874
Willimantic ACCESS Agency (860) 450-7400
Willimantic Connecticut Works One Stop Center (860) 465-2120
FDIC Financial Literacy Programs
Bethel UCONN Cooperative Extension System
Fairfield County Center,
67 Stony Hill Road, 06801 (203) 207-3263
Brooklyn UCONN Cooperative Extension System
Windham County Center,
139 Wolf Den Road, 06234 (860) 774-9600
Hartford Urban League of Greater Hartford
140 Woodland Street, 06105 (860) 527-0147
Mansfield UCONN Cooperative Extension System
Home and Garden Education Center
1376 Storrs Road, Box U-4115, 06269 1-877-486-6271
North Haven UCONN Cooperative Extension System
New Haven County Center,
305 Skiff Street, 06473 (203) 407-3161
Waterbury La Casa Bienvenida Senior Center
135 East Liberty Street, 06706 (203) 754-5684
(for seniors only)
Co-opportunity, Inc.
Co-opportunity assists low- and moderate-income individuals and families,
living in Hartford by providing housing, workforce development,
financial literacy, and asset-building programs. YouthBuild Hartford is a
job skills training program for at-risk young adults. Other programs
include housing counseling and homebuyer education; financial education;
Individual Development Accounts (matched savings accounts for
low-income people seeking to make long-term investments in certain
assets); and access to free income tax assistance during the annual tax
season. Address: 20-28 Sargeant Street, Hartford, CT 06105. Telephone:
(860) 236-3617 ext.112. E-mail: fyi@co-opportunity.org.
*Spanish speaking staff available.
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Money Management