Brookfield Social Services - Spring 2022
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Brookfield Social Services
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q Spring 2022
Happy Spring! It has been a long, cold winter, but with the renewal of life during this beautiful season,
comes hope for better times ahead. During these trying times, it is more important than ever to be informed
of programs and services that can help you maintain you and your family’s overall well-being. For that
reason, the Brookfield Social Services newsletter will be going online. This newsletter will also be mailed
to you, but if you would like to continue to receive a paper newsletter through the mail, please contact our
office at 203-775-7312. The format of the newsletter will be different, as you will see. In the main body
there will be a message from the Social Services Office as well as information about Local, State and
Federal programs that are ongoing, either continually or seasonally. The rest of the newsletter will be made
up of flyers containing information about new or old programs that may be of interest to you. In this way, we
hope to keep you up-to-date with current programs as well as older ones that are not as well-known, but can
be very helpful. The flyers were sized to fit, so if you are having trouble reading them and would like a
normal-sized flyer, don’t hesitate to call the office to request one. We hope you enjoy the new format. Please
give us your feedback by emailing to social@brookfieldct.gov or calling us at 203-775-7312.
Wishing you continued good health and happiness,
Brookfield Social Services
Elderly and Disabled Homeowner’s Property Tax Credit
If you are a homeowner and were 65 or disabled by 12/31/2021 and your income was below $38,100 for an
individual or $46,400 for a couple, you may be able to receive a State property tax credit and possibly a
Town tax credit as well. For the State homeowner’s property tax credit and Additional Veteran’s tax credit,
it is not a requirement that you have lived in Brookfield for five years. That rule is only for the Town tax
credits. Potentially, if you meet all the requirements, you could receive both credits. Please see the flyer in
this newsletter. To apply for the State and/or Town credits, please visit the Assessor’s Office. You will need
your 2021 income tax return if you file, along with supporting tax documents. If you do not file, then you
will just need your 2021 tax documents.
Renter’s Rebate
Filing period is April 1 - October 1. If you rented in 2021, were age 65 or older or disabled and your income
(including Social Security) was no more than $38,100 for individuals and $46,400 for couples, you may be
eligible to receive a Rebate from the State. For more information about this program and your eligibility,
please contact Lorraine at 203-775-7312.
Brookfield Recovers Grant Application
Brookfield Recovers is a special fund created to assist residents impacted financially by the covid-19
emergency. Residents in need can apply to this fund for assistance with basic needs necessary to stay in their
homes during this time. Grant applications are available from Social Services on the town website.
Energy and Utility Assistance
Brookfield Social Services will assist you with the following programs. Please contact our office for more
information and guidelines to apply.
CT Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) We are taking applications for deliverable fuels (oil, kerosene,
propane, wood), electric heat and heat-included-in-the-rent.. In order to apply you must show current
income information. You must submit the last 4 weeks of pay-stubs if you are employed. If you are
receiving unemployment, those payments must also be submitted. Go to the CT DOL and click on “Perform
a Claim Inquiry” then on “Get Payment History” and download the second page which lists your weekly
payments. Bank statements may be used to show Social Security income if you cannot find your 2022
benefit letter, but pension deposits, distributions and dividends that are in bank statements must also be
backed up with 1099 tax forms for 2021. Please call the office to make an appointment.
The income guidelines for this State program are:
60% SMI- CEAP income guidelines: based on Family size
1 2 3 4 5 6
$39, 027 $51,035 $63, 044 $75,052 $87, 060 $99,069
All electric heated households who completed the Matching Payment program last year will be
automatically re-enrolled onto Eversource’s MPP. Remember that you still need to re-apply for Energy
Assistance through our office every year! In addition to re-applying all payments need to be in by the end of
each month, and all six payments must be received by April 30th in order to get a “match”. If Eversource
raises your budget, pay the new amount if you can. If you cannot, pay the old amount and be sure to discuss
this with us at the time of your application, you may qualify for a below budget worksheet.
There are limited funds available through the State Energy Program that can help with furnace
repair/replacement and furnace clean, tune, and test.
The State of CT also launched a water/waste water program to offer financial assistance towards a past
due or current bill, or prevent a shut off. You can apply at the same time as with the heating assistance
program
Winter Protection Program helps protect your Eversource account from being shut off while you work on
getting on and following through with a payment plan like NewStart or Matching Payment Program. Please
call our office and we can code your account through this program.
Operation Fuel Winter program started on December 1st . Remember, Operation Fuel’s income guidelines
go up to 75% of the State Median Income. Please call CAAWC at 203-748-5422 with inquiries or to apply.
The Brookfield Emergency Fund is also available for an emergency assist. Exploring the above programs
is part of the process before the Emergency Fund is accessible.
Food Pantry
Our food pantry remains a drive-thru pick-up in which a list of available items is provided to food pantry
clients. Other local programs, such as Holiday and Back-to-School, are also run through the food pantry. We
live in a very generous community, so if we have extra donations, including gift cards, we will distribute
them during pantry hours. They will not be available upon request.
Please note: if you have not used the food pantry in six months, we will assume that you are doing well and
your name will be removed from the food pantry list.
Food Pantry Hours
Tuesdays from 9:30am-11:00am
Closed during holidays and when the Town Hall is closed
If you are working and cannot come to the pantry during regular hours,
please contact us to make arrangements for a Thursday evening pick-up
The Danbury Food Collaborative has recently updated their food guide to include SNAP and WIC
information. The food guide is a comprehensive listing of pantries, congregate meal sites, etc. The Danbury
Food Collaborative is supported by the United Way of Western CT.
Click here for the Food Guide in English > https://www.danburyseniors.org/wp-
content/uploads/2019/11/DanburyFoodGuide-English-11.21.2019.pdf
Clique aqui para o Guia Alimentar em Português> https://www.danburyseniors.org/wp-
content/uploads/2019/11/DanburyFoodGuide-Portuguese-11.21.2019.pdf
Haga clic aquí para ver la Guía de alimentos en español> https://www.danburyseniors.org/wp-
content/uploads/2019/11/DanburyFoodGuide-Spanish-11.21.2019.pdf
Employment
Older Worker Virtual Job Training Program: This program, offered by the Northwest Regional Workforce
investment Board (NRWIB) provides low-income, older persons (55 and over) access to virtual job skills
training. A laptop and internet “hot-spot” are provided, along with a training consultant to support
enrollment to update job skills and a job developer to help find and secure meaningful employment. Upon
completion of the training program, enrollees will be able to keep their laptop! To learn more and to enroll
email Jane.O’Grady@nrwib.org
CT Hires is a website provided by CT Department of Labor: For job search or exploring careers:
https://www.cthires.com/vosnet/Default.aspx
TBICO is an area agency dedicating to helping people re-enter the workforce, build-up their employable
skills, become self-sufficient and financially mobile. 203-743-6695 http://www.tbicoworks.org/
Literacy Volunteers on the Green
Programs include English as a Second Language (ESL), basic literacy for native
English speakers, workplace literacy conversation groups, and more. All instruction
and materials are provided free of charge. Classes are scheduled at mutually convenient
times for learners and volunteer tutors.
For more information email info@lvg-ct.org or call 860-355-0830.
Brookfield Social Services
100 Pocono Road
Brookfield, CT 06804
Brookfield Social Services Department
100 Pocono Road Brookfield, CT 06804 Telephone: 203-775-7312
Social Services Coordinator: FISH Medical Transportation:
Lorraine Kelley, LCSW Transportation for medical appointments
(Lorraine hable español) weekdays from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
lkelley@brookfieldct.gov Ambulatory disabled and/or seniors.
Brookfield residents only. Call 203-616-9678 to
Director of Senior/Social Services: submit request at least 3 days prior to appointment.
Ellen Melville emelville@brookfieldct.gov
SweetHART Telephone:
Senior/Social Services Program Coordinator:
Amy Diezemann adiezemann@brookfieldct.gov Main Phone: 203-744-4070
Reservations: Press 3
Senior/Social Services Administrator
Meals on Wheels:
Kathy Creighton kcreighton@brookfieldct.gov
Home delivered meals for those 60 years of age or
older who are homebound.
Main number: 800-994-9422
All Are Welcome Here!
Elder Justice Hotline:
Brookfield Social Services and If you are the victim of scam, or neglected,
Brookfield Senior Center respect the exploited, or abused, they are here to help.
diversity of all who enter. Main phone: 860-808-5555
Brookfield Congregational Church
Thrift Shop
OPEN For Business!
Saturdays
April 2nd and April 16th
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
160 Whisconier Rd; Rte 25
Vouchers available through Social Services
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