DECEMBER

2014

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

IN THIS ISSUE: Help ALICE, Holiday Assistance, Take Control of Your Finances, and AccessHealthCT

ALICE: More than 1/3 of CT Households Struggle to Get By

A Message from Richard Porth President/CEO of United Way of Connecticut

In Connecticut, 25% of all households have earnings above the federal poverty level but below a basic cost of living threshold defined in the United Way ALICE Report. Together with the 10% of households below the poverty level, 35% of all Connecticut households are struggling to make ends meet.

ALICE -- a United Way acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed -- is an often overlooked population comprised of men and women of all ages and races who work hard, but still face financial hardship.

ALICE lives in every Connecticut community, and may be our neighbors, friends, co-workers or relatives. We all know and depend on ALICE, and together we can make a difference for ALICE families in our community.

Here are some ways to GIVE. ADVOCATE and VOLUNTEER for ALICE:

GIVE - This Giving Tuesday (December 2nd), add ALICE to your holiday shopping list. Click here to learn more.
ADVOCATE - Talk to your friends, family members and community leaders about ALICE. Let them know that success and security for ALICE is critical to ensuring that our communities thrive.
VOLUNTEER - Visit volunteerct.org to be connected with volunteer opportunities in your community, and make a difference for ALICE families.

You can learn more about ALICE in Connecticut and read the full report at http://alice.ctunitedway.org/.

Assistance with Holiday Meals and Gifts

There are a number of programs and organizations throughout the state working to make the holidays a happy time for families in need throughout Connecticut. Whether food, gifts, or holiday meals, 2-1-1 has the most up-to-date information about the holiday assistance available.

If you need help with food, meals or gifts this holiday season, please dial 2-1-1 for more information about the holiday assistance available in your area.

Volunteer Budget Coaching

Enroll in the Volunteer Budget Coaching program to take control of your finances. This free program operated by United Way and partner agencies helps to set personal financial goals, tackle expenses and prioritize spending.

Participants will work directly with a volunteer budget coach to learn how to manage spending, increase savings and income, and connect with helpful resources in the community.

Enrollment is ongoing, and for details about a program near you, visit the budget coaching page on the United Way Income Collaborative site or dial 2-1-1.

AccessHealthCT Open Enrollment

The open enrollment period for health insurance coverage in the 2015 plan year is from November 15, 2014 through February 15, 2015.

For coverage starting on January 1, 2015, new enrollments or plan changes must be received by December 15, 2014. Changes and enrollments after that date will have coverage begin in a later month.

To learn more, compare coverage and premiums, and enroll for health insurance, visit the AccessHealthCT website at www.accesshealthct.com.

The mission of United Way of Connecticut is to help meet the needs of Connecticut and its residents by providing information, education and connection to services.