In a recent announcement, Governor Ned Lamont revealed a significant change in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Connecticut. The income eligibility limits have been increased, potentially opening the door for thousands of individuals and households who may not have qualified for SNAP in the past.
Governor Lamont’s decision translates into a tangible impact. An additional 8,959 individuals, spread across 4,980 households, can now qualify for SNAP benefits. Currently serving 229,000 households, including 140,700 children, the program plays a vital role in addressing food insecurity within the state, with the help of food stamps.
SNAP Benefits in Connecticut: Qualification Criteria
To qualify for SNAP, there’s one vital criterion to take into account: your monthly gross income. The eligibility bar has now been raised to 200% of the federal poverty level, up from the previous 185%. This means a monthly gross income of about $2,340 for an individual and $5,000 for a four-person household. Governor Lamont emphasizes that this seemingly simple alteration brings in additional federal funding, fostering both economic support for families and the operational continuity of local markets.
Beyond income limits, resource thresholds must align with specific criteria, and some households face asset limits as well. The income standards are pegged to the federal poverty levels, as recently stated, with both gross and net income limits. The exemptions for households with seniors or individuals receiving disability income underscore the nuanced approach to ensure inclusivity.
It’s important to note that there are practically no restrictions on assets for households, except for those with a gross income exceeding 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. For such households, assets, including cash, savings accounts, stocks, and bonds, must not exceed $4,250.
It’s reassuring to know that your primary residence is not considered as part of these assets, and we don’t place liens on homes. Moreover, vehicles and retirement accounts, such as IRAs, are not factored into the asset calculation. These limits are exclusively applicable to households surpassing the 200% Federal Poverty Level income threshold.
|
Monthly Income Limits |
||
| Household Size
|
Gross Income Limit
(applies to most households, except those in which |
Net Income Limit
(applies to all households in CT) |
| 1-person | $2,430 | $1,215 |
| 2 people | $3,287 | $1,644 |
| 3 people | $4,144 | $2,072 |
| 4 people | $5,000 | $2,500 |
| 5 people | $5,857 | $2,929 |
| 6 people | $6,714 | $3,357 |
| 7 people | $7,570 | $3,785 |
Maximum Food Stamps Allotments in Connecticut for 2024
| Household size | The maximum SNAP benefit is: |
| 1 people | $291 monthly |
| 2 people | $535 monthly |
| 3 people | $766 monthly |
| 4 people | $973 monthly |
| 5 people | $1,155 monthly |
| 6 people | $1,386 monthly |
| 7 people | $1,532 monthly |
For more information about income limits and benefit amounts for households of 8 people or more, or for any other information that you require about the SNAP benefits program, call at 1-855-626-6632.