The Department of Social Services operates the food stamp program in Connecticu known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP. This is also the federal program. The program is no longer regarded as the "food stamp" program but a nutrition program that allows low income families and persons to buy food. SNAP also offers education about different nutrition and allows recipients to pick foods that enhance their health and overall well-being. There are specific income limits that recipients must adhere to in order to receive benefits. In addition, the food stamp program has asset limits. You can find out more information on SNAP, programs, services, partners and vendors through the Department of Social Services website.
You can find the application for SNAP here (PDF). You can usually receive benefits within 7 days if you are eligible. You must fill out a few things about yourself in order to receive food stamps through SNAP. For one, you need to list your rent or mortgage and amount for utilities each month. You also need to provide your total monthly income. This is important to discerning your eligibility, which is based on income and household size. You can use the form to find the office nearest you for SNAP. Once you download and print the form, you must bring it in to your county's office. Your application is then processed. You may also have to go through an eligibility interview which will further access your income.
Eligibility is mostly based on your income and household size. The website for Connecticut's SNAP program provides a chart for specific limits. For example, if you have 4 people in your household, your income cannot surpass $3,447 a month. There are also asset limits for households that the gross income is more than 185% of the Federal Poverty Level. SNAP benefits are administered also based on how many you have to feed with your funds. If you have a household of four, you will receive $668 monthly to pay for food items. The funds are transmitted via a Quest card and used like cash at any participating vendor or SNAP retailer.
SNAP is the federal name for the food assistance programs. Every state has multiple SNAP locations. In fact, every county should have multiple locations where you can use your card. You can find specific locations near you using the SNAP retailer locator on the federal website. You can also call 1-800-842-1508. To make sure that you qualify, you can go to theEnd Hunger Connecticut website.