Connecticut SNAP Eligibility

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Connecticut SNAP Eligibility – Who is Eligible for Food Stamps in Connecticut?

The Connecticut SNAP eligibility rules and benefit amounts, like in other States, are based on a limited income, limited liquid resources, household size, and other requirements. Most eligibility rules are determined by regulations issued by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service.

The federal law allows States some flexibility when implementing SNAP on a State level. State agencies can adapt some of the SNAP food assistance program rules in order to meet the needs of the eligible, low‐income local population.

Connecticut Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is designed for individuals and families with limited income resources, who compose a household, and purchase and prepare their meals together for home consumption.

In general, to qualify for Connecticut Food Assistance Benefits, you must meet the following Connecticut SNAP Eligibility requirements:

• Connecticut Resident – must be a U.S. Citizen or a legal resident with SNAP eligible non-citizen status;
• Asset Limit (if Gross Income > 185% of FPL) – Households with gross incomes over 185% of the poverty line face a $3,250 limit on liquid assets. Retirement accounts, household’s cars, and home are not counted as assets for the purpose of qualifying for food stamps in Connecticut;
• Income Limits –  Income limits eligibility depends on the household size and composition and is based on the current federal poverty levels (FPL). Households with no elderly (60 years of age or older) or disabled individuals must meet both gross and net income limits. Otherwise, they must meet only the net income limits in order to qualify. Gross income includes wages, salaries, commissions, dividends, child support, self-employment income, unemployment compensation, social security benefits, etc.. Household net income is computed by deducting certain allowed expenses from gross income. The resulting numbers must fall below the net income dollar amounts listed in the table below for your household to get food assistance benefits. This dollar amount depends on the number of people in your household.
  See the table with Connecticut food stamp income limits per household size below.

Source: USDA, SNAP Income Eligibility Standards

Connecticut residents may be automatically or so-called categorically eligible for Food Assistance if they already participate in other means-tested assistance programs. Getting benefits or services (e.g. getting “Help for People in Need” brochure) from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) federal block grant program or receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can make the applicant for Food Assistance categorically eligible, thus bypassing the asset eligibility rules and income eligibility if the household gross income is less than 185% of the FPL.

Quick Eligibility Check

Use this Pre-Screening Eligibility Tool to find out if you might be eligible to get Connecticut Food Assistance Benefits (Food Stamps). The Screening allows interested in getting Connecticut food stamps to provide some basic information and determine if they are potentially eligible for benefits. Although you will be notified immediately if you qualify after completing the questionnaire you still have to make and sign an application at your local County Department of Human Services.

Connecticut SNAP | Apply | Approval | Benefits

To figure out, before applying,  if you'd qualify for food stamps benefits in your state you have to consider the following:

1. Your Household size: How many people you live and buy food with? Count:
   • anyone you live with and buy and make food with
   • children under 22 years old and,
   • elderly 60+ and disabled that you make food for.
2. Your Income: How much money does your household make? This includes both:
   • earned income - the money you make from jobs and
   • unearned income  - cash assistance, Social Security, unemployment insurance, child support, etc.

Who counts as a member of the household for SNAP eligibility?

In general, anyone who lives with you and you buy food with counts a member of your household.

Your children under 22 of age count as household members, even if they buy and make their own food.

But your tenant, for example, or your adult children that are over 22 of age do not count. They are not counted in the household number for the purpose of food stamp benefits qualification.

The elderly age of 60+ and disabled people count as household members if you buy and make food for them, or you buy and make food together. If they live with you, but they buy and make food separately, they do not count as household members.

See the updated table below for this fiscal year's income limits and monthly benefits (allotments).

What is the gross and net income limit that qualifies you for food stamps?

SNAP Max Income for Food Stamps
Oct. 1, 2019, through Sept. 30, 2020 

 Source:  USDA, SNAP Income Eligibility Standards