programs that help people in connecticut - Town of Vernon

Hartford (860) 560-5600
Middletown (860) 347-4465
New London 1-800-953-1365
Norwich (860) 885-2745
Old Saybrook (860) 388-5796
Stamford (203) 324-6175
Torrington (860) 482-4151
Waterbury (203) 757-7738
Grocery Delivery Service
Administered by the Hartford Food System, the Grocery Delivery Service
is for homebound elderly residing primarily in Hartford, West Hartford,
Wethersfield, Bloomfield, and New Britain. Although there is no
delivery fee, there is a $25 minimum order. Deliveries are one day per
week and orders are placed one day in advance. Clients pay for groceries
by cash or check upon receipt. There is no income eligibility requirement,
although the service is designed for those who would have difficulty
paying a normal delivery charge. Contact: Hartford Food System.
Address: 191 Franklin Avenue, Hartford, CT 06114. Telephone: (860)
296-9325. Website: hartfordfood.org.
Housing
Housing Education Resource Center (HERC)
HERC provides housing information and resources to tenants, landlords,
homeowners, agencies, and others. HERC programs include Landlord/
Tenant Information and Counseling, which offers seminars, workshops,
publications and in-service training on specific housing and landlord/
tenant topics. HERC operates a telephone counseling line that primarily
addresses tenant/landlord rights and responsibilities, in conjunction with
other housing-related issues. In partnership with Connecticut Department
of Social Services (DSS), HERC assists DSS rental subsidy recipients
with their housing needs. Services focus on preparing clients for all
phases of their housing search and helping them to secure housing in
lower poverty-impacted areas. Services include: Tenant Education
Classes; Community Familiarization; Housing Search Assistance; Literature
and Referrals; Lease and Landlord/Tenant Negotiation Assistance.
Address: 901 Wethersfield Avenue, Hartford, CT 06114. Telephone:
(860) 296-4242. Housing Counseling Line (Tuesday and Friday, 9 a.m.
– 5 p.m.): (860) 296-4372.
Connecticut Department of Social Services
(DSS)
Eviction Prevention Program: This program assists low- and moderate-income
residents at risk of becoming homeless or losing their homes
due to inability to pay their rent or mortgage. The program also works to
prevent litigation, eviction, or foreclosure through assessment, community-based
mediation, conflict resolution, and the use of a rent bank.
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program: This federally funded
program assists low-income families in obtaining housing and provides
direct rental subsidies to property owners. These subsidies fill the gap
between what a renter can afford to pay and the rent charged by the
landlord. Housing subsidized under this program must meet federal minimum
housing quality standards of safety and sanitation. Rental assistance
may be used in existing housing, newly constructed units, and in
moderately or substantially rehabilitated units.
Security Deposit Assistance: This program helps two groups of incomeeligible
persons afford to move into rental housing. The first includes
*Spanish speaking staff available.
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persons who hold a Section 8 voucher or state rent subsidy (RAP, T-
RAP) certificate newly issued while the applicant was on a housing authority
waiting list. The second includes homeless individuals and families.
Qualifying emergency situations include: homelessness; living in a
domestic violence shelter, motel or hotel, or temporary residence with
friends or relatives during the homeless crisis; eviction; and, release from
a hospital, prison or other institution. Applicants on public assistance or
those who meet the income limits and other criteria may be eligible for
the equivalent of up to two-month’s rent in the form of a security deposit
guarantee.
State Rental Assistance Program (RAP): This program provides rent
subsidies for low-income households. For families, RAP pays the difference
between the gross rent and 40% of adjusted gross monthly income.
For the elderly and disabled, RAP pays the difference between the gross
rent and 30% of the adjusted gross monthly income.
Transitionary Rental Assistance Program (T-RAP): This program
provides rental assistance for a maximum of one year to families who
are making the transition off Temporary Family Assistance (TFA). An
adult family member must have income from employment which exceeds
the TFA payment standard or an adult member of the household
who works at least twelve hours per week. A family must not already be
receiving a rental subsidy and applications must be submitted within six
months of leaving TFA.
DSS Rental Programs Telephone: (860) 424-5578
Home Sharing Programs
The Department of Social Services funds three programs that provide
interested individuals with an opportunity to “home share.” Home Sharing
is an arrangement between two parties in which one shares his or her
home with another in exchange for a financial contribution to household
expenses, services, companionship, or some combination. Home Share
programs match single adults (at least one must be over age 60) who are
having difficulty maintaining their homes because of financial, social,
or physical needs, with other adults who need decent, affordable housing
and/or do not want to live alone. Staff of the Home Share program
interview potential home sharers and home seekers to identify those with
complementary needs. Program participants must provide references and
background information, which are screened and checked by program
staff. The staff introduces individuals found to be compatible, helps
them develop a home sharing agreement, offers follow-up counseling if
a match is made, and/or refers persons to other appropriate services when
necessary. Connecticut’s programs are listed below.
Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut, New Haven
Telephone: (203) 785-8533
Senior Resources Agency on Aging, Norwich
Toll-free Telephone: 1-800-690-6998
Telephone: (860) 886-4736
Newington Senior & Disabled Center, Newington
Telephone: (860) 665-8778
Tax Relief for Renters
A person renting a room or an apartment, living in cooperative housing
or a mobile home may be eligible for a partial refund of rent/utility (excluding
telephone) bills if renter or spouse is age 65 or over; or is the
widow/widower, age 50 or over, of a previously approved applicant; or
if the renter is totally disabled and receiving benefits under a federal,
state or local retirement or disability plan which contains requirements
Basic Needs