How to apply for food stamps in ct

Millions of families in the United States will be happy to know that checks for $1,504 dollars will be automatically deposited today, although not everyone will receive them because the emergency funds will be given only to eligible families.

This week, the Connecticut Department of Social Services announced that they will automatically load additional food stamp benefits to the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards of hundreds of recipients in the state on January 16.

Each month, more than 41.5 million residents of the United States rely on the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through which they receive the so-called 'food stamps' that allow them to put food on the tables of their homes.

Now, not only is Connecticut hoping to deliver a hefty $1,504 payment to eligible low-income families, but California, Virginia, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota and Washington will send additional food stamps worth up to $157.

Requirements to qualify in Connecticut if you're not part of the program yet

Food stamps are a financial aid from the Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) whose objective is to guarantee that there is nutritious and healthy food in the most vulnerable households or those facing financial difficulties, even more so in times of pandemic.

Each state of the United States manages the program in its jurisdiction, which makes eligibility vary from one place to another, but in general the aid is intended for those who have gross income of up to 130% of the federal poverty line.

To be eligible for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the state of Connecticut and meet one of the following requirements:

You have a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $2,001, or
You have a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $3,001 who share their household with one of the following:
A person or persons age 60 and over or
A person with a disability (a child, your spouse, a parent, or yourself).

If you meet the requirements visit www.connect.ct.gov, or go to a DSS office to fill out the application form (call 211 or visit https://www.211ct.org/ to find a DSS office near you and check if the nearest office is open), or you can call DSS at 1-855-626-6632 to get an application or if you need help applying. Also see the State of Connecticut SNAP program website.

SNAP is the largest program in the domestic hunger safety net. The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) works with state agencies, nutrition educators, and neighborhood and faith-based organizations to ensure that those eligible for nutrition assistance can make informed decisions about applying for the program and can access benefits. SNAP is the Federal name for the program.

*For households with more than eight people, add $5,902 per additional person. Always check with the appropriate managing agency to ensure the most accurate guidelines.

Fresh EBT is now Providers! New name, new look, new features. Learn more.

Food stamp eligibility is complicated, and the rules change often. This page is a good starting point, but the best way to find out if you’re eligible for food stamps is to apply for them.

If you have a question that we haven’t answered here, let us know.

To figure out if you qualify for food stamps, Connecticut needs to know your:

Household size: How many people you live and buy/make food with.
Income: How much money your household makes. This includes both earned income (the money you make from jobs) and unearned income (cash assistance, Social Security, unemployment insurance, and child support, etc.).

Anyone you live and buy/make food with counts a member of your household.

You may live with people who don’t count as household members, like tenants who are renting a room, or adult children (22+) who buy/make their own food.

Children (under 22) always count as household members, even if they buy/make their own food.

Elderly (60+) and disabled people count as household members if you buy/make food for them, or you buy/make food together. If they live with you but buy/make food separately, they do not count as household members.

Yes, as long as you aren’t leaving a job or reducing your hours specifically so that you’ll qualify.

You may be required to participate in an employment and training program if you aren’t working or work fewer than 30 hours a week. Some exceptions apply.

Visit your local office or call the Connecticut SNAP hotline to learn more: 1-855-626-6632.

Yes. If you’re eligible for food stamps, Connecticut won’t disqualify you because of a drug felony. You might face a temporary disqualification period.

Call your local office or the Connecticut SNAP hotline to learn more: 1-855-626-6632.

Non-citizens who have qualified alien immigration status are eligible for food stamps.

Qualified aliens include refugees, victims of trafficking, Cuban and Haitian immigrants, Iraqi and Afghan immigrants with special status, and more.

Yes. You do not need a mailing address or housing to apply for food stamps. If you’re currently living in a shelter that gives you free meals, you can still apply for food stamps.

Once your child is born, your household size will increase. More household members = more benefits.

While you are pregnant, you can’t get more food stamps, but you can apply for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits.

WIC provides food and resources for pregnant women, new parents, and children up to 5 years old.

Check out this benefit finder tool and find out.

This information was compiled by Providers from publicly available government websites. Please check in with your local office if you have questions.

Food Stamps Snap (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Program Administration: The Food Stamp program (now known as SNAP) is a federal program administered by the US Department of Agriculture and managed in Connecticut by the Department of Social Services (DSS). The following is summarized from the DSS website, https://portal.ct.gov/DSS/SNAP/Supplemental-Nutrition-Assistance-Program—SNAP

Who Can Get SNAP?

A person must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen to qualify for SNAP. U.S. citizens and certain legal immigrants who have little or no income are likely to be eligible for SNAP. This includes, but is not limited to, people who are:

Unemployed
Retired with no or low pension or Social Security income
Working, but earning low wages
On state cash assistance (TFA, SAGA, or State Supplement)
Homeless
Legal immigrants who are disabled and receiving disability benefits (SSI, or disability-related Medicaid) are eligible for SNAP without a waiting period.
Students in post-secondary schools (college) can receive SNAP if:
- Age under 18 or 50+
- Physically or mentally disabled
- Receiving Temporary Family Assistance (TFA)
- Responsible for more than 50% of the care of a dependent family member if under age 6 or age 6-12 if adequate care is not available
- Enrolled less than half time
- Enrolled half time or more and employed a minimum of 20 hrs/wk
- Placed in higher education by the Workforce Investment Act program.
- Participating in a federally financed work study program during the regular school year
- Participating in an on-the-job training program through the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) program, or in a program under Section 236 of the Trade Act of 1974, or in a Food Stamp Employment and Training program, or in an employment and training program for low income households that is operated by a state or local government entity.

NOTE: Due to the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency, Congress has waived all SNAP work requirements. As a result, individuals will not be subject to the 3 month time limit for the remainder of the public health emergency – http://portal.ct.gov/DSS/SNAP/Able-Bodied-Adults-Without-Dependents-or-ABAWDs

USDA Website on Eligibility https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program

Income Restrictions

Income limits for most households is 185% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), with no net income or asset limit. Households with an elderly (ages 60+) or disabled member do not have to meet a gross income limit. Instead, shelter, medical, and other qualifying expenses are deducted from gross income. If the gross income of an elderly/disabled household is below 185% FPL, there is no asset test and there is no net income test. However, if the elderly/disabled household’s income exceeds 185% FPL, the net income after allowable deductions cannot be more than 100% FPL and they cannot have more than $3,500 in countable assets. A home the individual lives in is not included as an asset, or is a lien placed on a home.
Combat pay is not included as income.

Asset Restrictions

The asset limit for elderly or disabled households, with gross income over 185% of the Federal Poverty Level, is $3,500.
Not all assets count toward the asset limit.
The value of a house a person owns and lives in is not counted and a lien is not placed on a home.
Retirement accounts are not counted as assets.
Car value is NOT counted as an asset.

Where Do People Apply?

Apply for SNAP online at www.connectct.gov, under “Apply for Benefits” or download an application and mail it in, or drop off at a local DSS Regional Office. Applicants who cannot get to an office or are unable to complete the paperwork, can do their required interview by phone and mail. For additional information on applying, visit the website: https://portal.ct.gov/DSS/SNAP/Supplemental-Nutrition-Assistance-Program—SNAP/Apply
Note: End Hunger Connecticut can also help with SNAP eligibility screening, https://www.endhungerct.org/prescreener/
If disabled and unable to go to a DSS office, you can request that an authorized representative apply for you.
People who apply for or receive SSI can apply for SNAP at the Social Security office located nearest their home.

***If you’re enrolled in SNAP already, you can now take care of your “periodic report form” online, here: www.ct.gov/dss/snapreportform

What Documents are Needed?

Identification
Proof of citizenship or refugee status.
Legal immigrants with permanent residence status (“green card”) should call to ask what documentation is required.
Proof of earned and unearned income
For elderly/disabled households whose income exceeds 185% FPL, documentation of countable assets (bank account statements, stocks, bonds, CDs, etc.
Social Security numbers for everyone in the household.
Verification of shelter expenses, such as rent receipt or lease, and utility bills.
Verification of out-of-pocket child and dependent care expenses
Verification of court ordered child support payments
Elderly/disabled households should also verify out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT)

All benefits are issued into a recipient’s EBT account. If your last name starts with A-F, you will receive benefits on that 1st of the month; G-N on the 2nd, and O-Z on the 3rd. Benefits are issued on these dates even if it’s a holiday or weekend.

When granted SNAP, an EBT card is mailed to you, along with instructions on how to set up your PIN (Personal Identification Number). This number is your secret code that allows only you to access your benefits. If you give this number to someone else, they can access your benefits if they have your card. Keep your PIN number safe and do not keep it with your card. Benefits removed from your EBT account will not be replaced.

If having trouble with card, pin number, if card is lost or stolen, you must call the 24/7 Customer Service Line, 1-888-328-2666

What is the Appeal Process if SNAP Benefits are Denied? Request for appeal of a denial must be made within 90 days of the date of the decision notice by calling the Administrative Hearing Unit at 860-424-5760 (within Hartford calling area) and 1-800-462-0134 (if calling from outside of the Hartford calling area), or write to: Office of Legal Counsel, Regulations and Administrative Hearings, Department of Social Services, 55 Farmington Avenue, 11th Floor, Hartford, CT 06105 (Fax Number – 860-424-5729).

Advocacy For information concerning legal rights or for assistance with an appeal call Statewide Legal Services. End Hunger Connecticut provides advocacy for the food needs of low income children and adults in the State of Connecticut.

UCONN Center for Public Health and Health Policy has created a website, Snap4ct, which has healthy eating tips that includes recipes, health questions answered by a nutritionist, and a sign up for a Snap newsletter, and much more.

To Find Providers in Connecticut’s Community Resources Database:

Search by service name: Food Stamps/SNAP

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SOURCES: Connecticut State Department of Social Services; U.S. Department of Agriculture; End Hunger Connecticut; University of Connecticut Public Health and Health Policy PREPARED BY: 211/jm

CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: August2021

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