Below you find a list of helpful information and resources that are presently available to assist Connecticut residents during this difficult time. The list is not meant to be exhaustive, as there are likely to be many more agencies providing assistance to residents.

Please contact the Management office at 860-449-9585 or email [email protected] if you have any questions. We want to assist you during this difficult time as much as possible.

If you are having difficulty accessing resources, you may visit 211ct.org or dial 211 at any time to be connected to additional resources to help you and your family during this pandemic.


Click below to find the resources you need:

FOOD ASSISTANCE:

  • END HUNGER CONNECTICUT and 211ct.org provide resources as many people may find themselves food-insecure during this time including where to access food pantries and soup kitchens across the state and also can provide information about applying for SNAP (food stamps).

  • Children may still be able to get school meals. Many cities and towns will continue to provide free breakfast and lunch to students in their respective districts. The State Department of Education has links from their website located in the yellow banner indicating which school districts are providing emergency food for students and locations of community emergency meal programs for children.

  • People who lose income during this public health crisis may be entitled to more SNAP (food stamp) benefits. Nutrition programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/Food Stamps) and the Women, Infant and Children’s Program (WIC) provide eligible individuals and families with money to purchase food. Unsure if you are eligible for SNAP or WIC? Complete the 2-1-1 Navigator at http://www.211navigator.com/. SNAP applications are processed by the Department of Social Services (DSS). The DSS field offices are currently closed to the public, but individuals can apply for SNAP online at connect.ct.gov and can also receive assistance applying by contacting End Hunger CT! at 866-974-7627.

  • Food Distribution: Individuals struggling to afford groceries can obtain free food items from local food pantries. Soup kitchens, which typically provide meals at no-cost, are mostly providing grab-and-go food options during this time and can also be a good option for those who need grocery items.

UTILITY INFORMATION:

  • The CT Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) has issued an emergency moratorium on electric, natural gas, and water utility shut offs in response to the pandemic. Individuals at risk of shut-off should contact their utility company and reference the coronavirus moratorium. Additionally, there have been state emergency orders suspending utility late fees, waiving fees/deposits for utility connection even for those previously disconnected and requiring payment arrangements for businesses and nonprofits. Visit grotonutilities.com for more information.

  • Payment Assistance: Programs like the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program, Operation Fuel, and private fuel banks can assist eligible households with their heating and utility bills. These programs are not currently doing applications in-person, but are still accepting applications in different ways. Contact 2-1-1 for more information.

HEALTH INSURANCE:

  • Coverage for COVID-19 Testing & Treatment: There is no cost to be tested for COVID-19. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act guarantees all Americans can receive free coronavirus testing. This includes those with private insurance, government insurance (Medicare, Medicare Advantage, HUSKY (Medicaid & CHIP), VA, FEHBP, and TRICARE), and even those with no insurance. Connecticut residents on Medicaid can also receive free treatment for COVID-19.

  • HUSKY : HUSKY is Connecticut’s Medicaid program for low-income children, parents, pregnant women, and single adults. There is also a part of the program that covers children at higher incomes. You may be eligible if you have lost employment due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Individuals can apply for HUSKY online at connect.ct.gov or by calling the DSS Benefits Center at 1-855-6-CONNECT.

  • Access Health CT: As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to threaten public health, Access Health CT announced a NEW Special Enrollment Period for these exceptional circumstances for qualified uninsured Connecticut residents. To see if you quality, contact Access Health between 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday or visit www.accesshealthct.com.  Access Health CT is Connecticut’s health insurance marketplace to connect uninsured individuals who are not eligible for HUSKY to other health insurance plans, which may be subsidized based on the household income. Individuals can apply online at Health Insurance – Access Health CT (Special Enrollment Period): Visit accesshealthct.com, connect.ct.gov or by dialing 855-805-4325.

EMPLOYMENT / FINANCES:

  • UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE: The US Department of Labor (DOL) and the State of Connecticut are doing several things to help workers affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.

To file a claim, visit www.filectui.com and click the blue button.

Individuals unemployed due to COVID-19 are encouraged to apply for unemployment benefits, even if they would not normally be eligible. Eligibility will be determined on a case-by-case basis. For faster claim processing, individuals should try and obtain a return-to-work date from the employer, as well as the employer’s registration number (if not available, enter 99-999-95) , and answer ‘YES’ to the question about whether there is a definite return to work date. If there is not a definite date, filers should enter 04/15/2020. For a comprehensive guide to unemployment benefits, visit http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/DOLCOVIDFAQ.PDF.

  • Temporary Family Assistance (TFA):  Low-income families residing in Connecticut with children under age 18 may be eligible for Temporary Family Assistance (TFA) through the Department of Social Services (DSS). TFA is a time-limited cash assistance program that provides monthly cash for basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing, and employment assistance. The DSS field offices are currently closed to the public, but individuals can apply for TFA online at connect.ct.gov or by calling the DSS Benefits Center at 1-855-6-CONNECT.

  • www.211navigator.com: Individuals struggling financially are encouraged to check to see if they might be eligible for other state and federal benefits, which can help reduce a household’s monthly expenses. A quick way to get a sense of what benefits an individual may be eligible for is to complete the 2-1-1 Benefits Navigator Screener.

EMOTIONAL AND FAMILY SUPPORT:

  • SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH): The Disaster Distress Helpline (800-985-5990) provides immediate crisis counseling and help to individuals nationwide who are experiencing psychological distress as a result of a natural or man-made disaster, or incidents of mass violence. The Helpline is available 24 hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week. The Helpline connects callers to professionals from the closest crisis counseling center in the nationwide network of centers. The Helpline staff will provide confidential counseling, referrals and other needed support services. Individuals can call or text ‘TalkWithUs’ to 66746.

  • AARP Community Connections: Feeling socially isolated? Older adults can request a phone call from an AARP volunteer, Monday – Friday, 9AM to 5PM EDT by leaving their information at 1-888-281-0145. Community Connections also has a website for older adults to connect with a mutual aid group in their community. Mutual aid groups are informal groups of volunteers that band together to find effective ways to support those people most in need who live in their local community. Mutual aid can include picking up groceries, providing financial assistance, or lending emotional support to neighbors. Visit https://aarpcommunityconnections.org/ to search for a group in your area.