“Productive Meeting”: Sen. Perillo Provides Update on CT Homecare Workers’ Payroll $$$ Complaints

Sen. Jason Perillo, Ranking Senator on the Human Services Committee, issued the following statement regarding the nearly 3,000 complaints to the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) from different homecare workers across the state, alleging they aren’t getting properly paid.

“I just had a productive meeting with DSS Commissioner Andrea Barton Reeves.

In the meeting, we discussed the Dec. 15 letter that Sen. Stephen Harding and I had sent to DSS.

In that letter, we noted how Personal Care Assistants (PCAs) have been alleging their payroll provider GT Independence (GTI) has left workers with partial pay, delayed pay, or in some cases, no pay at all. Their frustration is understandable, as is their demand for answers.

These PCAs are well-meaning unionized professionals. They each care for a loved one or someone else’s loved one. They perform vital services, and we told DSS that in situations such as this, the more transparency and clear public messaging, the better.

After today’s meeting, Sen. Harding and I want to thank Commissioner Barton Reeves and her team at DSS for being responsive to our concerns.

The fact of the matter is that many honest PCAs who are also SEIU 1199 members have not been paid because of systems implemented by DSS in response to individuals utilizing the home care program fraudulently. That is quite significant. DSS is on top of it, and I can say with confidence that we are moving toward a resolution.

In the meantime, I plan to propose legislation in the upcoming legislative session to minimize fraud so that well-meaning PCAs don’t go unpaid.

This outcome can represent a win-win-win scenario going forward. The workers, the people they serve, and the Connecticut taxpayers will all benefit.”