Consumer Services

H.R. 1 Federal Budget Bill (One Big Beautiful Bill Act – 2025) Changes to Connecticut’s SNAP/HUSKY Programs

In July 2025, the 119th Congress passed Public Law No: 119-21 https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1, a statute also known as HR 1 or the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The law impacts residents Read More

Finding Resources for Caregivers

Finding Resources for Caregivers Being a caregiver for a loved one can be overwhelming, especially if someone takes on the caregiver role suddenly. Many adults find themselves caring for older Read More

State and Federal Resources to Assist Connecticut Residents with Expected Electricity Cost Increases

Electric prices in Connecticut has seen an increase in the last couple of years for residents, due to supplier rate price increases. 211 has created this paper to try to Read More

Connecticut’s Legalized Recreational Marijuana (Cannabis) Law

Recreational marijuana became legal in Connecticut on July 1, 2021, which makes the use and possession of small amounts of recreational marijuana legal for adults. There are still many facets Read More

Avoiding Scams and Frauds After a Disaster/During a Pandemic

The material provided on the 211 eLibrary is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal advice. HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF Read More

Hospital “Outpatient” Observation Notice and Medicare Patients

Medicare patients need to be aware of this hospital billing classification that can make an overnight hospital stay considered “outpatient” care where patients may have to pay for the cost of their Read More

“Free Bed” Funds at Hospitals

DESCRIPTION Free bed funds are special donations a hospital receives to provide free care to patients who can’t pay for all or part of their hospital stay. ELIGIBILITY For the Read More

Passports

The following is summarized from the website of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs: https://travel.state.gov/ HOW TO APPLY FOR A PASSPORT: Passport applications are accepted at over Read More

Free and Discounted Broadband Internet and Phone Programs

Discounted Phone Services: The Lifeline Credit is the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) mandated program for telephone customers on state or federal assistance programs that will reduce their recurring monthly charges by $9.25 per Read More

Used Car Warranty Law

The following is summarized from a State of Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles’ (DMV) paper entitled, “Connecticut’s Used Car Warranty” https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DMV/20/29/ucarwarrpdf.pdf?la=en What is the Used Car Warranty Law? Connecticut’s used Read More

Small Claims Court

The material provided on the 211 eLibrary is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal advice. The following includes excerpts Read More

Repossession in Connecticut

The material provided on the 211 eLibrary is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal advice. WHAT IS REPOSSESSION? Repossession Read More

Rapid Tax Refunds

What are Rapid Tax Refunds? Rapid refunds are also known as refund anticipation loans (RAL). They are offered by some commercial tax services. What are the Risks in Getting a Read More

HIPAA – Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) gives rights and protections to people whose health insurance is/was provided by a group plan. HIPAA limits exclusions from insurance because of Read More

Predatory Lending Practices / Abusive Loan Practices

The following is excerpted from the website of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Connecticut | HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Read More

New-Car Lemon Law

The following is summarized from the State of Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection website: (https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DCP/Lemon-Law/lemonlaw_guide_2017.pdf?la=en) WHAT IS THE LEMON LAW: The Lemon Law establishes arbitration as an informal process for resolving Read More

Identity Theft

The following is summarized from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft website, identitytheft.gov. WHAT IS IDENTITY THEFT? Identity theft occurs when someone appropriates your name, social security number, credit Read More

How to Evaluate a Charity

Appeals for financial and material donations are solicited by countless charitable organizations. Donors who want to research a charity before donating have several options. PUBLIC CHARITIES UNIT All charities soliciting Read More

How to Deter Telephone, E-Mail, Mail Marketing, and Unsolicited Credit Offers

The following is summarized from the websites of the Federal Trade Commission (https://www.ftc.gov/) and the Data & Marketing Association (https://thedma.org/). Connecticut residents can reduce or eliminate unwanted consumer marketing solicitations Read More

How to Deter Abusive Debt Collection Practices

The following is excerpted from “FTC- Debt Collection”; https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0149-debt-collection and “Consumer Collection Practices,” posted on the State of Connecticut Department of Banking website: https://portal.ct.gov/dob/consumer/consumer-education/consumer-collection-practices. WHAT ARE ABUSIVE DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES? Read More

Notary Public

What is a Notary Public? A Notary Public is an official appointed by the state to serve as an impartial witness to the signing of important documents. According to the Read More

Home Improvement Contractors

The following is summarized from the State of Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection’s web page on Home Improvement: https://portal.ct.gov/dcp/Trade-Practices-Division/Home-Improvement-for-Consumers HIRING A HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection Read More

Home Heating Oil Contracts

The following is excerpted from “Heating Fuel Contracts: What You Should Know…Before You Sign ” posted on the website of the State of Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (https://portal.ct.gov/DCP/Food-and-Standards-Division/Food–Standards/Tips-for-Buying-Heating-Oil-or-Propane) Each Read More

Getting a Free, Low-Cost, Loan or Temporary Use Computer

Programs in some agencies, community service centers, and libraries in towns offer free, low-cost, for loan or temporary use computers to eligible individuals, families or communities. These programs will often Read More

Fraud Prevention / Scam Information

The material provided on the 211 eLibrary is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal advice. HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF Read More