Resources

Family Reentry – Looks like the best reentry organization in Connecticut.

Food/Nutrition

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, helps low-income individuals and families afford the cost of food at grocery stores and farmers’ markets. You can apply for these benefits by completing a state application form. This form can be mailed, faxed, or dropped off at a local DSS Regional Office. Once the form is complete, you will be assigned an eligibility worker who will interview you to complete the application process

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) helps supplement the diets of low-income needy persons, including elderly people, by providing them with emergency food and nutrition assistance. TEFAP products are received by Connecticut’s two food banks; CT Food Bank and Foodshare and are distributed to food pantries, soup kitchens and emergency shelters. TEFAP is administered by the CT Department of Social Services.

Connecticut Nutrition Assistance Plan (CTNAP)
Connecticut Nutrition Assistance Plan (CTNAP) (previously known as the State Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is a federally and state funded nutrition program that began in the 1980’s to purchase high protein foods (meats, poultry, tuna, peanut butter) for food pantries and soup kitchens. Administrative costs are borne by the state’s food banks; CT Food Bank and Foodshare. CT Food Bank secures bids for shelf stable products that are in high demand and purchases the food which is then distributed to Foodshare and food pantries, soup kitchens and emergency shelters.

Commodity Supplemental Food Program

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) works to help improve the health of low-income persons at least 60 years of age by supplementing their diets with nutritious food products provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

EBT card

Your food stamp benefits and/or cash assistance benefits are kept in special accounts for you until you want to use them. If you getSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits (SNAP) formerly known as FOOD STAMPS from DSS, most grocery stores will accept your EBT card. You use your EBT card much like you would a debit card, by swiping and entering a pin number when you check out at the store.

Employment and Training – Your Path to Employment
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps) recipients throughout Connecticut may be eligible to participate in an Employment and Training Program. The Employment and Training program was created by Congress in 1987 as a means to assist able-bodied clients in obtaining employment. From the start, the purpose of the Employment and Training program has been to help SNAP households gain skills that will increase self-sufficiency. States are allowed flexibility in designing and operating their Employment and Training programs.

Farmers’ Markets

Many Farmers’ Markets and Farm Stands throughout Connecticut now can accept EBT/SNAP (Formerly known as Food Stamps). This means you will once again be able to buy locally grown fruits and vegetables that arrive more quickly and fresher than those transported long distances from other states and countries. Simply bring your EBT card to the table with the sign that says “SNAP/EBT accepted here” at participating Farmers’ Markets and Farm Stands. The Market Master will swipe your card for the amount that you want and give you Market Tokens that can be used at all the stands at that market.

Food Banks

A listing of food banks and emergency food assistance locations in your area can also be obtained by calling 211 from any area in the state – just dial 211 or visit the 211 website http://www.infoline.org/ (Please note this is an external website not maintained by the Department of Social Services)

Women Infants and Children (WIC)
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children – better known as the WIC Program – serves to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritional assessment and education, referrals to health care and nutritious foods to supplement diets. (Please note this is an external website not maintained by the Department of Social Services)

Content Last Modified on 5/12/2015 12:22:53 PM