How to get help if you are homeless, have no or low income

Benefits you could get from DSS

Cash Help

If you are unable to work and do not have children in your home , you can receive about $220 per month in cash from the SAGA programAsk for an application and medical forms from SAGA at your DSS office. You will need to ask your doctor or mental health professional to fill out the medical forms.

If you are unable to work and have children at home, a family of 3 could receive up to $600 per month in TFA cash aid.

See our brochure: Cash Help for Families .

If you are receiving cash assistance from DSS, you may also qualify for emergency housing assistance (see below) and help with moving expenses.

SNAP (Food Stamps)

SNAP helps you pay for food. If you have no income, or your income is less than what you have to pay for your rent and utilities, you should receive your eligibility confirmation within seven days of submitting your application. See the information above to apply.

You will usually have to have a telephone interview in order to determine your eligibility, so it is important to have a phone number where you can be reached. Call DSS at 855-626-6632 (TTD/TTY 1-800-842-4524) if you don't get a response within two weeks.

health insurance

You can get free or low-cost health insurance with one of these programs:

  • HUSKY A is for children under 19 years of age, pregnant women, and caretaker parents or other caretaker relatives of minor children, up to certain income limits.
  • HUSKY B is for children whose family income exceeds the income limits for HUSKY A.
  • HUSKY C is for low-income adults who qualify as disabled and receive SSI or Social Security disability benefits or are age 65 or older and have limited assets. More information: .
  • HUSKY D is for adults (ages 19-64) with no or very low income. If you receive Medicare or are age 65 or older, you cannot apply for this program. 

 

You can apply for HUSKY A, B, C, or D at Access Health CT 

If you have a disability that prevents you from doing what DSS tells you to do when you apply for benefits, ask your DSS worker for help. Explain your disability and tell him what kind of help you need.

you can order

  • help filling out forms;
  • help getting the documents you need; either
  • a meeting with DSS, either in person or by phone, depending on what is best for you.

What if I applied for benefits and DSS does not give me all the benefits I applied for?

If DSS tells you that you can't get benefits or you can't get all the benefits you asked for, ask for a hearing. You must do this within 60 days of the date benefits were denied. For food stamps, the time frame is 90 days to request a hearing. 

 Remember: Keep a copy of everything you send to DSS.

How do I ask for a hearing?

There are two ways to do it:

1. Fill out and return the appeal form that came with the benefit denial notice; either

2. Mail or fax a letter to DSS asking for a hearing. Use the address or fax number printed on your notice. If you fax it, save the fax confirmation. Keep a copy of the letter as proof. Your letter must include

  • your name, address, the date, and your DSS client number;
  • the reason you want a hearing; Y
  • upon signature.

3. For food stamps only, you can ask for a hearing by phone at 1-800-462-0134.

What happens at the hearing?

  • The hearing officer will ask why you think you are eligible for DSS programs.
  • The hearing officer will also ask DSS to explain your side of the story.
  • The hearing officer will decide if he agrees with you or with DSS.

You should receive your decision within 90 days of asking for the hearing. 

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