Connecticut DSS New Haven Resource Center: Benefits, Cash Assistance, and Health Coverage
If you live in New Haven County and need help paying for food, healthcare, or basic expenses, the Connecticut Department of Social Services (CT DSS) New Haven Resource Center is your local gateway to a range of state and federal assistance programs. This page is designed to help you understand what this office does, which programs it administers, and how to access them — whether you prefer to apply in person, by phone, or online.
The New Haven Resource Center is a state office serving one of Connecticut's most economically varied regions. The 16 towns in its service area span prosperous suburbs like Orange and North Haven alongside cities with significant poverty, including New Haven itself, Derby, Ansonia, and West Haven. The full list is Ansonia, Bethany, Branford, Derby, East Haven, Hamden, Milford, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Seymour, Shelton, Wallingford, West Haven, and Woodbridge. New Haven has one of the highest poverty rates among Connecticut cities, and the DSS office here handles a caseload that reflects this reality — it is a high-volume, multilingual resource center equipped to serve residents across a wide range of languages and circumstances, including substantial immigrant and refugee-serving capacity.
- One note before diving into programs: eligibility rules and program availability do change. Anyone already receiving benefits should watch for communications from DSS and check https://portal.ct.gov/dss for the latest guidance.
How to Apply
Before covering specific programs, it's worth understanding the section below on how applications actually work — because most programs are no longer primarily applied for in person. The fastest way to apply for food assistance, cash assistance, and Medicaid/HUSKY is online through the ConneCT portal at https://connect.ct.gov. For ongoing benefit management — checking your status, renewing benefits, uploading documents, or checking your EBT balance — the MyDSS mobile app gives residents a convenient tool they can use anytime on a phone or tablet.
Those who prefer to apply in person or drop off documents can visit the New Haven Resource Center at 50 Humphrey Street. Appointments can be made by calling the DSS Benefits Center at 1-855-626-6632; TTY users can call 1-800-842-4524.
Food Assistance — SNAP
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) provides monthly benefits on an EBT card that can be used at grocery stores and participating retailers to purchase food. Eligibility is based on household size, income, and certain expenses. This is one of the most widely used programs administered through the New Haven office, and for many families it forms a critical part of the monthly budget.
One change worth knowing about: Connecticut recently shifted SNAP benefit issuance dates to be spread throughout the month rather than concentrated in the first few days, as was the case previously. If you've been on SNAP for a while, your deposit date may have moved. Check MyDSS or call the Benefits Center with questions. Applications can be submitted online at connect.ct.gov or in person at 50 Humphrey Street. For families in immediate crisis, DSS may be able to expedite processing in certain emergency circumstances. Or for other emergency options, try a food pantry in New Haven County - which we have a list of.
Cash Assistance
The New Haven Resource Center processes applications for several cash assistance programs. Understanding which one applies to your situation is something the section below aims to clarify.
Temporary Family Assistance (TFA) provides cash to families with children facing financial hardship. It's Connecticut's version of the federal TANF program, intended to help families while they work toward employment and self-sufficiency. TFA carries time limits and participation requirements, including engagement with job preparation activities through Jobs First Employment Services.
State Administered General Assistance (SAGA) is a program that sets Connecticut apart from many other states. This is the state’s own state-funded cash assistance program for adults who don't qualify for federal cash programs — typically because they don't have children in the home, or they are unable to work for medical reasons. SAGA provides a modest monthly cash benefit and remains an option for low-income adults in situations that other programs don't cover.
The State Supplement program provides additional cash to elderly residents and adults who are blind or disabled, supplementing Social Security income or other sources to help cover basic living costs. Residents in boarding homes or residential care homes may also qualify.
DSS also administers a Funeral and Burial Allowance program for those who cannot afford burial expenses for a deceased family member, and Refugee Cash Assistance for eligible newly arrived refugees.
Health Coverage — HUSKY and Connecticut Medicaid
Health coverage is one of the most consequential things the New Haven Resource Center can help residents obtain. Connecticut's HUSKY Health program is the state's Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program, and it covers a broader range of people than many residents realize.
HUSKY A covers low-income parents, caretaker relatives, and pregnant women. HUSKY B covers children and teens under age 19 in working families, including those with higher incomes than HUSKY A typically allows. HUSKY C covers adults who are 65 or older, or who are blind or disabled — this is Medicaid for seniors and people with disabilities. HUSKY D covers low-income adults without dependent children who meet income limits.
The Covered Connecticut Program is a separate option worth understanding — it offers premium-free health coverage to qualifying adults who earn somewhat above the standard Medicaid limits but still cannot afford private insurance. This is distinct from the HUSKY programs and is administered through CT DSS.
MED-Connect (Medicaid for Employees with Disabilities) is a program that too many eligible residents don't know exists. It allows people with disabilities who are working — or who want to work — to retain Medicaid coverage even with earned income, removing one of the most common barriers that keeps disabled residents from pursuing employment.
There is no set enrollment period for Medicaid — applications are accepted throughout the year. In some emergency circumstances, DSS may be able to expedite processing.
Medicare Savings Program — For Seniors and People on Medicare
Residents who are already on Medicare may not be aware that CT DSS administers the Medicare Savings Program, which can significantly reduce what seniors pay out of pocket. Depending on income, the program can cover Medicare Part B premiums and, at higher levels of benefit, deductibles and co-insurance as well. Enrollment in the Medicare Savings Program also automatically qualifies recipients for the federal Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy) program, which reduces the cost of prescription drug coverage under Medicare Part D.
Residents who want counseling on Medicare options — including comparing Medigap plans, Medicare Advantage, or understanding their Part D options — can connect to Connecticut's CHOICES program (Connecticut's SHIP), a free statewide counseling service that works in cooperation with DSS.
Protective Services for the Elderly
The New Haven Resource Center houses a dedicated Protective Services for the Elderly (PSE) unit covering the New Haven area towns. This program exists to investigate and respond to reports of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or self-neglect involving adults age 60 and older. If you are concerned about an elderly person's safety or wellbeing — including a family member or neighbor — the DSS office can receive reports and initiate protective interventions. This service is distinct from general benefits programs and available regardless of income.
Employment Services
For residents receiving TFA cash assistance, participation in Jobs First Employment Services (JFES) is a built-in component of the program. JFES, operated in partnership with the Connecticut Department of Labor, provides job training, employment preparation, and placement support to help families move toward financial independence. Services can include skills assessment, referrals to community college training programs, job search assistance, and connections to American Job Centers across the state.
How to Reach the New Haven Resource Center
The office is at 50 Humphrey Street, New Haven, CT 06513. The main Benefits Center phone line is 1-855-626-6632 (TTY: 1-800-842-4524). General office hours are typically Monday through Friday — call ahead or check portal.ct.gov/dss to confirm current hours before visiting. Applications and renewals can be submitted online at https://connect.ct.gov at any time.
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