Connecticut financial assistance directory
Low-Income Help and Resources in Connecticut
If household costs are hard to manage, Connecticut has programs that may help with food, housing, utilities, healthcare, child care, and other basic needs. Start with the statewide options below, then follow the local application route when a program is handled by a community action agency, housing authority, or other regional provider.
Money Fit serves Connecticut residents statewide. If debt or monthly payments are also part of the problem, call 800-432-0310 or start a confidential debt review.
Where to start
The best starting point depends on whether the need involves a state benefit, housing or heating help, or another local service. Eligibility, funding, waiting lists, and application methods can vary.
Apply for food, cash, or health coverage
ConneCT is the main Department of Social Services portal for SNAP, cash assistance, HUSKY C, MED-Connect, and other DSS benefits. HUSKY A, B, and D applications are generally handled through Access Health CT.
Find nearby help
211 Connecticut provides statewide referrals for food, housing, utilities, child care, healthcare, transportation, behavioral health, aging, disability, and other community needs.
Heating or housing assistance
CEAP is accepting 2026-2027 heating-assistance applications now. Housing help is available through local housing authorities, CTHousingSearch, 211, and legal-aid organizations.
Connecticut uses different application systems for different benefits. ConneCT handles SNAP, cash assistance, HUSKY C, MED-Connect, and other DSS programs. Access Health CT handles HUSKY A, B, and D applications, while Care 4 Kids uses its own child care assistance system. For DSS help, call 855-626-6632.
Food assistance
For ongoing grocery help, start with Connecticut SNAP or WIC when it fits the household. For food needed sooner, Connecticut Foodshare and 211 can help locate pantries, mobile distributions, and community kitchens.
Connecticut SNAP
SNAP provides monthly food benefits to eligible Connecticut households through EBT. Applications can be submitted online through ConneCT, by mail, or in person at a DSS Resource Center.
DSS Benefits Center: 855-626-6632
Connecticut WIC
WIC provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals for eligible pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum participants, infants, and children under age five. Connecticut's local WIC agencies operate full-time and satellite sites across the state.
State WIC office: 800-741-2142
Connecticut Foodshare
Connecticut Foodshare maintains food pantry and mobile pantry locators and can also help residents connect with SNAP application assistance and other food resources.
Some SNAP rules changed in 2026. Connecticut DSS has updated guidance on federal changes affecting work requirements and eligibility for some households. Use current DSS instructions rather than relying on older eligibility summaries.
Housing, rent, and utility help
Connecticut heating assistance, weatherization, public housing, rental searches, emergency shelter, and tenant legal help are handled through different state and local organizations. Funding and waiting lists can change quickly.
Connecticut Energy Assistance Program
CEAP helps eligible households offset winter heating costs. Applications for the 2026-2027 season are open now and can be submitted online or through the Community Action Agency serving the household's area.
Energy assistance information: 800-842-1132 or 211
Connecticut Weatherization Assistance Program
WAP helps qualifying households reduce energy costs through approved home improvements. Community Action Agencies and nonprofit partners handle eligibility and services, and the program uses the same basic income standard as CEAP.
CTHousingSearch.org
Search Connecticut rentals by city, county, ZIP code, rent, accessibility, and other features. The service includes market-rate and affordable rentals, senior housing, veteran housing, and accessible units.
Search assistance: 877-428-8844
Housing Choice Voucher programs
Connecticut has more than 40 public housing agencies in addition to the state Department of Housing program. Waiting lists open and close at different times, so households should check both state and local housing authorities.
HUD public housing help: 800-955-2232
211 Connecticut housing crisis help
Dial 211 for help locating emergency shelter, homelessness services, rent or utility programs, coordinated-entry resources, and other immediate community support.
Statewide Legal Services
Eligible Connecticut residents may receive free civil legal help with housing, eviction, public benefits, consumer matters, family safety, and other covered issues. Statewide Legal Services screens applicants and connects eligible residents with a legal-aid provider.
Legal aid hotline: 800-453-3320
Healthcare coverage and clinics
HUSKY Health includes Connecticut Medicaid and CHIP coverage. The correct application route depends on age, household circumstances, disability status, and the specific HUSKY program.
HUSKY Health
HUSKY Health includes Medicaid and CHIP coverage for eligible children, parents and caregivers, pregnant people, adults, older adults, and people with disabilities. HUSKY A, B, and D applications generally go through Access Health CT, while HUSKY C and MED-Connect applications can go through ConneCT.
HUSKY information: 877-284-8759
Covered Connecticut Program
Covered Connecticut may provide no-cost medical and dental coverage plus non-emergency medical transportation to eligible residents ages 19 through 64 who do not qualify for HUSKY because of income and meet the program's Access Health CT requirements.
Community health centers
Federally supported health centers provide primary care and may offer dental, pharmacy, behavioral health, substance-use, and other services. Health centers serve insured and uninsured patients and use sliding-fee programs based on income and family size.
HUSKY rules are changing. Connecticut has current guidance on federal changes affecting work requirements and eligibility for some Medicaid members and applicants. Use current DSS and HUSKY notices rather than older eligibility summaries.
Child care, family, and cash assistance
Connecticut uses separate systems for child care assistance and cash assistance. 211 Child Care can help families compare child care options, while local programs handle Head Start enrollment.
Care 4 Kids
Care 4 Kids helps eligible low- and moderate-income Connecticut families pay for child care while parents work, attend training, or participate in education. The program has its own online application and account system.
Care 4 Kids: 888-214-5437
211 Child Care
211 Child Care maintains current listings of licensed and license-exempt child care programs and helps families search for care that fits their location, schedule, ages, and other needs.
Temporary Family Assistance
TFA provides temporary cash assistance and employment-related support to eligible families with children. Applications can be submitted through ConneCT, by mail, or through a DSS Resource Center.
DSS Benefits Center: 855-626-6632
Head Start and Early Head Start
Head Start programs provide early learning, health, nutrition, and family support for eligible young children and families. Local programs handle eligibility, applications, openings, and waiting lists.
Locator help: 866-763-6481
Work, legal help, and essential services
Job loss, a legal problem, or loss of affordable phone or internet service can quickly affect housing, healthcare, and the ability to apply for other assistance.
Connecticut unemployment insurance
ReEmployCT is Connecticut's unemployment benefits system for new claims, weekly certifications, payment information, and account management.
American Job Centers
Connecticut American Job Centers provide free career counseling, résumé and interview help, job-search assistance, training connections, recruitment events, and other employment services.
Statewide Legal Services
Statewide Legal Services is Connecticut's legal-aid intake hotline. Eligible residents may be connected with a legal-aid lawyer for housing, benefits, consumer, family, health, disability, and other civil legal issues.
Legal aid hotline: 800-453-3320
Federal Lifeline benefit
Lifeline may reduce the monthly cost of qualifying phone or broadband service. Eligibility can be based on income or participation in programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, or Federal Public Housing Assistance.
Lifeline Support Center: 800-234-9473
Older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers
Connecticut's aging and disability networks can help residents locate benefits counseling, in-home support, transportation, caregiver resources, long-term-care information, Medicare guidance, and safety services.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers
Connecticut ADRCs connect older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers with benefits counseling, care options, transition assistance, and local long-term services and supports.
Statewide ADRC / CHOICES line: 800-994-9422
MyPlaceCT
MyPlaceCT is a free Connecticut DSS resource for older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, and families looking for information on in-home care, housing, transportation, Medicaid, Medicare, home modifications, and long-term services and supports.
Protective Services for the Elderly
Connecticut PSE receives reports of suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or abandonment involving adults age 60 or older. The hotline operates during weekday business hours; after hours, weekends, and state holidays, call 211. Call 911 for immediate danger.
PSE hotline: 888-385-4225
Crisis, safety, and disaster resources
If someone is in immediate danger, has a life-threatening medical emergency, or cannot stay safe, call 911.
988 Connecticut
Call, text, or chat 988 for free, confidential, 24-hour support involving emotional distress, mental health, suicide, or substance use concerns. Connecticut's 988 Contact Center is operated through United Way of Connecticut and 211.
Call or text: 988
Substance use Access Line: 800-563-4086
CT Safe Connect
Safe Connect is Connecticut's statewide domestic violence information and resource line. Advocates are available 24 hours a day by phone, text, chat, or email and can connect survivors with local programs and safety resources.
Safe Connect: 888-774-2900
211 Connecticut
211 provides statewide information and referrals for food, housing, utilities, healthcare, transportation, behavioral health, child care, elder services, and other community needs.
Connecticut and federal disaster assistance
Connecticut DEMHS coordinates disaster response and recovery. There are currently no open FEMA Individual Assistance application periods in Connecticut. After a future federally declared disaster, assistance may become available for eligible households in designated areas.
DEMHS: 800-397-8876
FEMA Helpline: 800-621-3362
Review the household budget and unsecured debt together
Public assistance may help with food, housing, healthcare, child care, or utilities while credit cards, medical bills, collections, personal loans, or other unsecured debts continue taking money from the rest of the budget. Money Fit nonprofit credit counseling can help Connecticut residents review income, expenses, debts, and possible next steps.
A debt management plan may help organize eligible unsecured debts into one monthly payment to Money Fit, which then sends payments to participating creditors. It is not a new loan or debt settlement. Creditor participation, concessions, account treatment, fees, and payment changes can vary.
Money Fit does not provide cash assistance, food benefits, rent assistance, utility benefits, government benefits, or emergency grants. The counseling form below is for help reviewing debt and monthly payments.
Open the Money Fit debt review form
Share a few details so Money Fit can respond to your request. Your information stays with Money Fit and is not sent to a marketplace of lenders or debt companies.
Related Money Fit resources
These resources can help with debt, housing, financial education, and assistance in other states.
