The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps, provides households with a monthly allowance to purchase healthy foods. The program is designed to combat food insecurity in Connecticut. Connecticut SNAP benefits are distributed through local Department of Social Services offices. Families must meet certain income requirements to qualify for benefits. The SNAP benefit limits for a household of three are 185% of the federal poverty line, or about $4,143 per month. Non-disabled adults ages 18-50 must complete work requirements or be subject to a 3-month time limit on receiving benefits.
Connecticut SNAP EBT Card
SNAP benefits are given in the form of an EBT card that can be used at many stores that accept electronic payment systems. The card has a PIN number that must be kept private and can only be used by the person to whom it belongs. If the card is lost or stolen, a claim must be submitted to the Department of Social Services within 30 days.
SNAP applicants should be aware of the risk of fraud. Some scammers use small devices to collect information from EBT cards at checkout machines. This practice is called skimming, and it can result in unauthorized purchases and fraudulent transactions. Applicants should also be aware of the rules about how to use their benefits.
SNAP benefits are loaded into an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) account that can be used to purchase food at participating stores. It is important to keep these benefits secure because they are not interchangeable with cash and can only be used at retailers that accept SNAP.
Connecticut SNAP Eligibility Update
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont recently announced that Connecticut SNAP eligibility limits have been raised to 200% of the federal poverty level. This move will allow an additional 8,959 people in 4,980 households to receive benefits. The program serves 229,000 households, including 140,700 children.
Giacomi says the changes will make more residents eligible for SNAP and simplify the program’s administration. “SNAP benefits are based on net monthly income, which is what the household’s members keep after taxes and deductions,” he said.
Connecticut SNAP Application
To apply for Connecticut SNAP benefits, people must fill out an application and provide income documentation. Applicants can get the application from their local Department of Social Services (DSS) office or download it from the DSS website. If the applicant is unable to visit the DSS office, they can contact an eligibility worker to complete the application by phone or fax. Applicants also need to provide documentation of assets. This includes liquid assets such as cash and checking accounts, and nonliquid assets such as stocks and bonds. Applicants also need to verify expenses for shelter, utilities and food.
