programs that help people in connecticut - Town of Vernon

Basic Needs
Food
Food may be obtained from Food Pantries for use in a household setting
or at Soup Kitchens where food is prepared and may be eaten on the
premises. Both types of facilities exist throughout the state. They may
have eligibility or referral requirements and hours of operation vary
widely. To obtain the most current information on local emergency food
assistance, call Infoline at 2-1-1.
Connecticut Association for Human Services
(CAHS)
CAHS provides food stamp outreach in western, southern, and central
Connecticut, including Hartford and periodically updates a statewide
guide on How to Get Food in Connecticut. Outreach workers are available
to conduct eligibility prescreening events, public information sessions,
and trainings for social service providers. CAHS staff promotes
increased awareness of several federally funded nutrition programs such
as WIC, school-year, and summer meals. They are available to assist in
locating potential sites and sponsors for these programs. Outreach staff
also delivers information about other public benefits that meet the basic
needs of lower-income families. Increasingly, trainings on financial management
and building assets for economic security are offered in conjunction
with outreach activities. For more information, or to schedule
an outreach event, contact CAHS. Address: 110 Bartholomew Avenue,
Suite 4030, Hartford, CT 06106-2201. Telephone: (860) 951-2212 x 236.
E-mail: info@cahs.org. Website: cahs.org.
End Hunger CT!
End Hunger CT! Inc. is a statewide anti-hunger and food security, advocacy
organization dedicated to ending hunger and promoting healthy
nutrition in Connecticut. Goals include raising awareness of hunger in
the state of Connecticut, promoting access to federal nutrition assistance
programs and speaking out to eliminate the root causes of hunger. End
Hunger CT! provides food stamp outreach in Hartford, New London,
Tolland, and Windham counties. Outreach workers assist clients with
prescreening for food stamps and conduct workshops and presentations
with clients or staff. End Hunger CT! also provides an online Food Stamp
Calculator that determines potential eligibility and offers application information
at www.foodstampsct.org. Child nutrition services include
Summer Food Service Program participation grants and School Breakfast
Program research, outreach and education. If you have a question
about a federal nutrition program or want to learn how to advocate for
food and nutrition in the state, call End Hunger CT!. Address: 102
Hungerford Street, Hartford, CT 06106. Telephone: (860) 560-2100. E-
mail: endhungerct@endhungerct.org. Website: endhungerct.org.
Food Stamps
The state Department of Social Services (DSS) administers the United
States Department of Agriculture’s Food Stamp Program. DSS also administers
a State-Funded Food Stamp program for people who are not
eligible for the federal program solely due to their status as non-citizens.
The purpose of both programs is to help low-income people buy food.
Eligibility depends on the income and resources of a household. A household
is a group of people who live together and buy and prepare food
together. Eligibility limits are more liberal for people who are disabled
or 60 years and older, and the households that include them. The amount
of Food Stamps for an eligible household depends on the number of
people in it, and on how much monthly income is left after certain expenses
are subtracted. Some examples of these expenses are deductions
for excess shelter costs and medical deductions for elderly and disabled
people.
People can apply for Food Stamps at the DSS office located nearest the
town where they live. People who cannot get to an office can apply for
Food Stamps by mail, or authorize a responsible adult to represent them.
People who receive SSI can also apply for Food Stamps at the Social
Security office located nearest their home. The DSS office must act on
applications within 30 days of the date a person signs an application.
Eligible households will have benefits in their EBT account within four
days of the date that DSS grants their application. Some people are eligible
for an expedited review and could get Food Stamps within seven
days of the date they apply.
For more information about the Food Stamp Program call DSS Toll-free
Telephone: 1-800-842-1508, End Hunger CT! Telephone: (860) 560-
2100 or Connecticut Association for Human Services Telephone: (860)
951-2212 x 236. See list of local DSS offices under Multiservice Agencies
in this book.
School Lunch, Breakfast and After-School
Snacks
Federal and state governments subsidize the school meals programs for
all children in schools that participate. Eligibility for free or reducedprice
meals is based on family income and size. Food stamp recipients
are automatically qualified for free school meals. Children can be enrolled
throughout the school year. For more detailed information, call
the Department of Education, Child Nutrition Programs at Telephone:
(860) 807-2070. Individuals with children in non-participating schools
can get help in organizing a school breakfast program by contacting End
Hunger CT! Telephone: (860) 560-2100 or Connecticut Association for
Human Services Telephone: (860) 951-2212 x 236.
Summer Breakfast and Lunch for Children
Children under the age of 19 are eligible for free meals during the summer
months through participating towns and organizations. There are no
forms or income tests. For participating locations, call the Department
of Education, Child Nutrition Programs Telephone: (860) 807-2070;
Infoline: 2-1-1; End Hunger CT! Telephone: (860) 560-2100; or Connecticut
Association for Human Services Telephone: (860) 951-2212 x
236.
Child and Adult Care Food Program
This program is designed to ensure nutritious meals for children up to
age 12, the elderly, and people with disabilities who participate in a nonprofit,
licensed, or approved day care program. Children up to the age
of 18 in emergency homeless shelters may also participate. Eligible providers
are reimbursed all or part of the money by the Department of
Education for meals and snacks served to the children or adults in their
care. Any child or adult attending a participating institution is entitled to
meals. Programs eligible for participation include nonresidential child
or adult care institutions such as group or family day care; Head Start;
recreation centers; settlement houses; after-school programs; and emergency
homeless shelters for families with children.
*Spanish speaking staff available.
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Basic Needs