While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the LIHEAP program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.

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What Are Food Stamps

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as Food Stamps, helps eligible low-income individuals and families buy the food they need to stay healthy in the form of monthly benefits.

SNAP uses Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to distribute the benefits.

The Connecticut SNAP food assistance program is administered by the Connecticut Department of Social Services. Learn more about SNAP on the Connecticut Department of Social Services website here.

What Can Food Stamps Buy

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, SNAP benefits can be used to purchase approved food items. These include:

  • Fruits and vegetables;
  • Meat, poultry, and fish;
  • Dairy products;
  • Breads and cereals;
  • Other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages; and
  • Seeds and plants, which produce food for the household to eat.

See a more comprehensive list of what you can buy with SNAP benefits here and a list of approved snacks and meal supplements here.

There are also food items that cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits, including alcoholic beverages and hot prepared food. See a comprehensive list of what you cannot buy with SNAP benefits in the CT SNAP Policy Manual here.

How Much Assistance Does SNAP Provide?

SNAP provides monthly benefits, known as an allotment, to eligible households. The allotment amount you can receive is based on 1) the number of people in your household and 2) your household income.

To calculate your allotment amount, multiply your household’s net income by 0.3 and then subtract that number from the federal maximum monthly benefit amount in the table below.

Household NumberFederal Maximum Allotment Per Month
1$291
2$535
3$766
4$973
5$1,155
6$1,386
7$1,532
8$1,751
Each additional household member+219

You have one year (365 days) to use your allotment or the benefits on your EBT card will be canceled.

To learn more about your benefit amount in Connecticut, click here.

Requirements to Qualify for SNAP in Connecticut

To qualify for SNAP in Connecticut, you must meet the following requirements:

  • You must be a United States citizen or legal resident
  • You must be a resident of Connecticut
  • You must have a household income and resources that do not exceed the limits set by Connecticut and the federal government
  • You must work or participate in an employment training program, if applicable

Learn more about Connecticut’s income limits and other eligibility criteria here.

Steps to Apply for SNAP in Connecticut

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Connecticut Food Stamps program, helps families buy the food they need to stay healthy. If you are in need of food assistance and wish to apply to SNAP, complete the following three steps:

  1. Review the application requirements.

Learn about the income limits and personal eligibility requirements to receive SNAP benefits here.

  1. Gather the documentation and information you will need for the application.

Find a list of what you need to apply on page 3 of the Connecticut Application for Benefits. You can view a copy of the application here to see what information is required.

  1. Choose how you are going to apply, whether online, in person or by mail.

To apply for SNAP online, create an account on ConneCT here and fill out the SNAP application.

To apply for SNAP in person, click here to find the nearest Connecticut Department of Social Services office location. You can complete the Application for Benefits here and drop it off.

To apply for SNAP by mail, fill out the Application for Benefits here and send it with copies of your necessary documents to:
DSS Scanning Center
P.O. Box 1320
Manchester, CT 06045-1320

If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Connecticut Department of Social Services at 1 (855) 626-6632.

How to Check Your Application Status

Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:

  • If you applied online, you can check your application status using the Connecticut Assistance Portal here.
  • If you applied in person, contact the Connecticut Department of Social Services office location where you applied. Find contact information here.
  • If you applied by mail, you can call 1 (855) 626-6632 to check the status of your application.

What Happens After You Apply for SNAP

After you have submitted your application, you will need to complete an interview. The interview may be in person or by telephone. If you apply in person, you will complete the interview with your application.

If you applied online or by mail, the Department of Social Services will make two attempts to call you using the phone number on your applications. If they are unable to get a hold of you, they will mail an Interview Notice with contact information for you to schedule your phone interview.

If documents are missing from your application or the Department of Social Services needs more information from you to finish processing your request, your application will be delayed.

If you are approved, you will then receive your EBT card in the mail within 30 days of your determination letter unless you are eligible for expedited services, which give you benefits within only 7 days. You may be eligible for expedited food assistance if:

  • Your household has less than $150 in monthly income and $100 or less in cash.
  • Your rent/mortgage and utilities are more than your household’s combined monthly income.
  • A member of your house is a migrant or seasonal farmworker.

Once you receive your EBT card, you can use it to purchase items that are approved by SNAP at groceries and retail stores that accept EBT transactions. Learn about what you can purchase with SNAP here.

SNAP benefits are replenished each month that you are a member of the program. To check the balance of your EBT card, call the number on the back of your card or 1 (888) 328-2666.

How to Appeal a Denial of Benefits or a Low Benefit Amount

If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the Connecticut Department of Social Services, you can appeal your decision by mail, fax or phone within 60 days of receiving your determination letter.

To file a claim by mail or fax, you will need to write a letter that includes the following information:

  • Your name
  • Your address
  • Your phone number
  • The reason for your appeal, whether you were denied benefits or you received a lower benefit amount than you believe you should have
  • Your desired solution for how the Department of Social Services should remedy the situation

You must also include a copy of your determination letter when filing an appeal by mail or fax. Send all documents by fax to 1 (860) 424-4923 or mail them to:
Fair Hearing Unit, Department of Social Services
55 Farmington Avenue
Hartford,CT 06105-3724

To file a claim by phone, call 1 (800) 462-0134.

For more information on the appeal process, click here.

How to Check the Balance on Your EBT Card

You can check the balance of your EBT card by calling the number on the back of your card or 1 (888) 328-2666.

Learn more information about EBT cards and how to use your benefits on the Connecticut Department of Social Services EBT card page here.

How to Replace a Lost EBT Card or Benefits

If you have not received your EBT card within 10 days of receiving your approval notice, call 1 (855) 626-6632 for assistance.

If you have lost your EBT card and require a replacement, call Connecticut’s EBT customer service number at 1 (888) 328-2666.

You cannot obtain a replacement EBT card in person at a Department of Social Services office in Connecticut.

For more answers to common questions related to EBT cards, click here.

Need More Help?

For help with obtaining SNAP benefits, or for any further questions about your application, call the Connecticut Department of Social Services at 1 (855) 626-6632.

You can also visit or call a local Department of Social Services office for further assistance. Find your nearest location here.

View or Download Our Free Guide

While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Food Stamps program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.

Our free Food Stamps Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, requirements for program eligibility, and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.

Last Updated: February 2, 2024

Table of Contents

Steps to Apply for SNAP in Connecticut

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Connecticut Food Stamps program, helps families buy the food they need to stay healthy. If you are in need of food assistance and wish to apply to SNAP, complete the following three steps:

  1. Review the application requirements.

Learn about the income limits and personal eligibility requirements to receive SNAP benefits here.

  1. Gather the documentation and information you will need for the application.

Find a list of what you need to apply on page 3 of the Connecticut Application for Benefits. You can view a copy of the application here to see what information is required.

  1. Choose how you are going to apply, whether online, in person or by mail.

To apply for SNAP online, create an account on ConneCT here and fill out the SNAP application.

To apply for SNAP in person, click here to find the nearest Connecticut Department of Social Services office location. You can complete the Application for Benefits here and drop it off.

To apply for SNAP by mail, fill out the Application for Benefits here and send it with copies of your necessary documents to:
DSS Scanning Center
P.O. Box 1320
Manchester, CT 06045-1320

If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Connecticut Department of Social Services at 1 (855) 626-6632.

How to Check Your Application Status

Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:

  • If you applied online, you can check your application status using the Connecticut Assistance Portal here.
  • If you applied in person, contact the Connecticut Department of Social Services office location where you applied. Find contact information here.
  • If you applied by mail, you can call 1 (855) 626-6632 to check the status of your application.

What Happens After You Apply for SNAP

After you have submitted your application, you will need to complete an interview. The interview may be in person or by telephone. If you apply in person, you will complete the interview with your application.

If you applied online or by mail, the Department of Social Services will make two attempts to call you using the phone number on your applications. If they are unable to get a hold of you, they will mail an Interview Notice with contact information for you to schedule your phone interview.

If documents are missing from your application or the Department of Social Services needs more information from you to finish processing your request, your application will be delayed.

If you are approved, you will then receive your EBT card in the mail within 30 days of your determination letter unless you are eligible for expedited services, which give you benefits within only 7 days. You may be eligible for expedited food assistance if:

  • Your household has less than $150 in monthly income and $100 or less in cash.
  • Your rent/mortgage and utilities are more than your household’s combined monthly income.
  • A member of your house is a migrant or seasonal farmworker.

Once you receive your EBT card, you can use it to purchase items that are approved by SNAP at groceries and retail stores that accept EBT transactions. Learn about what you can purchase with SNAP here.

SNAP benefits are replenished each month that you are a member of the program. To check the balance of your EBT card, call the number on the back of your card or 1 (888) 328-2666.

How to Appeal a Denial of Benefits or a Low Benefit Amount

If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the Connecticut Department of Social Services, you can appeal your decision by mail, fax or phone within 60 days of receiving your determination letter.

To file a claim by mail or fax, you will need to write a letter that includes the following information:

  • Your name
  • Your address
  • Your phone number
  • The reason for your appeal, whether you were denied benefits or you received a lower benefit amount than you believe you should have
  • Your desired solution for how the Department of Social Services should remedy the situation

You must also include a copy of your determination letter when filing an appeal by mail or fax. Send all documents by fax to 1 (860) 424-4923 or mail them to:
Fair Hearing Unit, Department of Social Services
55 Farmington Avenue
Hartford,CT 06105-3724

To file a claim by phone, call 1 (800) 462-0134.

For more information on the appeal process, click here.

How to Check the Balance on Your EBT Card

You can check the balance of your EBT card by calling the number on the back of your card or 1 (888) 328-2666.

Learn more information about EBT cards and how to use your benefits on the Connecticut Department of Social Services EBT card page here.

How to Replace a Lost EBT Card or Benefits

If you have not received your EBT card within 10 days of receiving your approval notice, call 1 (855) 626-6632 for assistance.

If you have lost your EBT card and require a replacement, call Connecticut’s EBT customer service number at 1 (888) 328-2666.

You cannot obtain a replacement EBT card in person at a Department of Social Services office in Connecticut.

For more answers to common questions related to EBT cards, click here.

Need More Help?

For help with obtaining SNAP benefits, or for any further questions about your application, call the Connecticut Department of Social Services at 1 (855) 626-6632.

You can also visit or call a local Department of Social Services office for further assistance. Find your nearest location here.

View or Download Our Free Guide

While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Food Stamps program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.

Our free Food Stamps Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, requirements for program eligibility, and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.

Last Updated: February 2, 2024