PROGRAMS THAT HELP PEOPLE IN CONNECTICUT

1 Bene ts Available Who is Eligible Where to go for Assistance PROGRAMS that help . PEOPLE IN CONNECTICUT . A guide for agencies 2006-2008 Edition PROGRAMS that help PEOPLE in CONNECTICUT is an overview of federal, state, and local PROGRAMS that provide assistance to CONNECTICUT residents. The CONNECTICUT Association for Human Services (CAHS) veri ed and updated the information in this booklet and CONNECTICUT Light and Power (CL&P) provided the printing and publishing. We thank everyone who supplied information for this 2006-2008 edition. THIS BOOKLET SHOULD BE USED AS A GUIDE as it contains only brief descriptions of complex PROGRAMS whose guidelines, eligibility levels, and funding are subject to change. Since this booklet is printed every other year, IT IS IMPORTANT TO CHECK WITH THE ADMINISTERING AGENCY FOR CURRENT.

2 INFORMATION. If you think that you or your client may be eligible for any PROGRAMS described herein, we urge you to apply. For further information on these and other local public and private PROGRAMS , contact Infoline at 2-1-1, or your municipal Social Service Agency. Many towns have a Youth Service Bureau to help young PEOPLE and a Municipal Agent on aging to help senior citizens. Many services have income and asset (resources) eligibility guidelines. Generally, income is money available to you from an ongoing source. The de nition of assets varies from program to program, but generally includes bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and sometimes a car or a legal interest in a house. You should check with the agency that administers the program for more details. This booklet is divided into sections, each covering assistance for a speci c area.

3 Some of the sections contain subheadings for faster reference. The Table of Contents lists all of the subheadings, and the Index in the back of the booklet lists all agencies, PROGRAMS and some subcategories. After certain program entries, references are given for other sections that might also have information of interest on the subject. NOTE: We would like to hear from you. Please let us know if any services should be added, deleted or revised. Additional copies are available from CONNECTICUT Light and Power (CL&P), or use the order form in the pocket at the back of the booklet. Please direct comments to: CONNECTICUT Association for Human Services Community Relations Department 110 Bartholomew Avenue Suite 4030 CONNECTICUT Light and Power (CL&P). Hartford, CONNECTICUT 06106-2201 Box 270. Telephone: 860-951-2212 Hartford, CT 06141-0270.

4 Telephone: 1-800-286-5000 or 860-947-2121. The CONNECTICUT Association for Human Services (CAHS) is a private, nonpro t organization that works with service providers, public of cials, and others to ensure that 1) all children and families have the resources and public policy support to become economically successful, and 2) those who cannot achieve self-suf ciency have access to basic needs. See the Advocacy section in this booklet for a complete description of CAHS. Table of Contents Basic Needs .. 1. Food .. 1. Housing .. 3. Energy and Fuel Assistance .. 4. Income 4. Crisis and Emergency Management .. 5. Abuse and Neglect Children, Women, Elders .. 8. Health Care .. 9. Facilities .. 9. Patient Supports .. 11. AIDS .. 13. Financial Assistance .. 14. Children .. 15. Family Planning and Pregnancy.

5 16. Mental Health .. 17. Disabilities .. 18. Substance Abuse .. 20. Criminal Justice .. 22. Children, Youth and Families .. 23. Adoption and Foster Care .. 23. Early Childhood Development .. 23. Youth Development .. 24. Famly Supports .. 24. Elders .. 27. Veterans .. 29. Money Management .. 31. Financial Literacy .. 31. Free Income Tax 32. Savings and Assets .. 33. Education and Job Training .. 33. Transportation .. 35. Homeownership .. 35. Property Tax Relief .. 37. Multiservice Agencies .. 37. Advocacy and Legal Assistance .. 40. Civil Law .. 41. Health .. 41. Children .. 42. Elders .. 42. Denial of Federal or State Benefits .. 42. Women .. 43. Disabilities .. 43. Housing .. 43. Civil Rights .. 44. End of Life .. 44. Resources for Service Providers .. 44. Index .. 46. 2-1-1 Infoline 2-1-1 is the statewide information, referral, and crisis intervention service.

6 It is a public/private partnership between the State of CONNECTICUT and the United Way of CONNECTICUT . 2-1-1 specialists are backed by community representatives and an extensive computerized database of human services. They provide up-to-date in- formation about agencies and PROGRAMS ; make referrals to appropriate community resources; and intervene in crises, including suicide prevention. Extensive infor- mation is available on child care, alcohol and drug treatment, elder services, mater- nal and child health, Medicare Part D, problem gambling, and many more helpful services and PROGRAMS . Calls are free and confidential. 2-1-1 may be accessed 24. hours a day. TDD (Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf) and multi-lingual staff are also available. A database of statewide health and human services is avail- able on-line.

7 Address: 1344 Silas Deane Highway, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. Office Telephone: (860) 571-7500. Website: together. Eligibility limits are more liberal for PEOPLE who are disabled Basic Needs 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 ex- Food penses are subtracted. Some examples of these expenses are deductions for excess shelter costs and medical deductions for elderly and disabled PEOPLE . 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 PEOPLE can apply for Food Stamps at the DSS office located nearest the premises. Both types of facilities exist throughout the state.

8 They may town where they live. PEOPLE who cannot get to an office can apply for have eligibility or referral requirements and hours of operation vary Food Stamps by mail, or authorize a responsible adult to represent them. widely. To obtain the most current information on local emergency food PEOPLE who receive SSI can also apply for Food Stamps at the Social assistance, call Infoline at 2-1-1. Security office located nearest their home. The DSS office must act on applications within 30 days of the date a person signs an application. CONNECTICUT Association for Human Services Eligible households will have benefits in their EBT account within four days of the date that DSS grants their application. Some PEOPLE are eli- (CAHS) gible for an expedited review and could get Food Stamps within seven days of the date they apply.

9 CAHS provides food stamp outreach in western, southern, and central CONNECTICUT , including Hartford and periodically updates a statewide For more information about the Food Stamp Program call DSS Toll-free guide on How to Get Food in CONNECTICUT . Outreach workers are avail- Telephone: 1-800-842-1508, End Hunger CT! Telephone: (860) 560- able to conduct eligibility prescreening events, public information ses- 2100 or CONNECTICUT Association for Human Services Telephone: (860). sions, and trainings for social service providers. CAHS staff promotes 951-2212 x 236. See list of local DSS offices under Multiservice Agen- increased awareness of several federally funded nutrition PROGRAMS such cies in this book. as WIC, school-year, and summer meals. They are available to assist in locating potential sites and sponsors for these PROGRAMS .

10 Outreach staff School Lunch, Breakfast and After-School also delivers information about other public benefits that meet the basic needs of lower-income families. Increasingly, trainings on financial man- Snacks agement and building assets for economic security are offered in con- junction with outreach activities. For more information, or to schedule Federal and state governments subsidize the school meals PROGRAMS for an outreach event, contact CAHS. Address: 110 Bartholomew Avenue, all children in schools that participate. Eligibility for free or reduced- Suite 4030, Hartford, CT 06106-2201. Telephone: (860) 951-2212 x 236. price meals is based on family income and size. Food stamp recipients E-mail: Website: are automatically qualified for free school meals. Children can be en- rolled throughout the school year.