(East Hartford, Conn. (WTIC Radio)--As a result of the Lamont Administration raising the levels to qualify for SNAP benefits in October 2022, 9-thousand more individuals and nearly five thousand households have participated.
According to the Administration, those individuals will access more than $19 million in benefits, averaging $185 per month.
SNAP--formerly known as food stamps--allows a monthly allowance to purchase food. The program is used by 229-thousand
households, including 140-thousand children.
Under the revised eligibility benefit levels, Connecticut residents qualify for SNAP if their monthly gross income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level (for example, $2,430 for a single person and $5,000 for a four-person household). Until October 2022, Connecticut’s limit was 185% of the federal poverty level.
“This simple change brings in new federal funding to help Connecticut families put food on the table and supermarkets, grocery stores, and farmers markets operate in neighborhoods that might otherwise become food deserts,” Governor Lamont said. “I hope residents across the state will take a second look at whether they can benefit from SNAP and thank the federal government for allowing actions like this that support our efforts to combat hunger and food insecurity.”
“The Department of Social Services is proud to deliver essential benefits to Connecticut residents,” Social Services Commissioner Andrea Barton Reeves said. “SNAP benefits are proven to improve overall health and nutrition, and families at this income level will benefit from this assistance. These fully federally funded benefits also have a positive secondary effect by boosting local food economies around the state. We thank Governor Lamont for his support in ensuring that Connecticut families are healthy, secure, and thriving.”
