Connecticut veterans have served our country. Our responsibility to serve them does not end when they take off the uniform.
State Representative Kaitlyn Shake supported legislation during the 2026 session designed to make benefits and services more accessible to Connecticut veterans.
The legislation, sometimes referred to as the second part of Connecticut’s HERO Act initiative, addresses several barriers that can make it difficult for veterans and their families to receive the support they have earned.
Among its provisions are changes intended to make it easier for disabled veterans to qualify for certain state benefits by excluding veterans disability compensation from some income calculations.
The measure also supports additional veterans service officers to help connect veterans with available benefits and navigate disability claims.
Other provisions address higher-education costs for disabled veterans, eligibility for free legal services, assistance for veteran-owned businesses, and further study of organizations that charge veterans for help obtaining benefits they may be entitled to receive.
For Stratford, these issues hit close to home.
Our town is home to generations of veterans and their families, along with organizations and volunteers dedicated to preserving their stories and supporting those who served.
Shake’s support for veterans legislation in Hartford complements those efforts here at home.
Government programs only fulfill their purpose when the people they are intended to help can actually access them. Complicated eligibility requirements, confusing paperwork, and gaps in assistance can prevent veterans from receiving benefits they have earned through their service.
The Stratford Democratic Town Committee believes our commitment to veterans must extend beyond ceremonies and words of thanks.
It also means making sure veterans and their families have access to the services, opportunities, and support they deserve.
We thank Representative Shake and legislators on both sides of the aisle who continue working to strengthen Connecticut’s commitment to those who served.