Food Stamps
The Food Stamp Program can provide monthly benefits
to low-income individuals for food. You may qualify if: you
work for low wages; are unemployed or work part-time;
receive welfare benefits; or are elderly or disabled and
live on a small income. ATTENTION: Effective July 1,
2002, you can own one car with a value of up to $9,500
and still receive Food Stamps. If you have been turned
down by the Food Stamp program in the past because of
the value of your car, now is the time to re-apply.
Basic rules to qualify include the following:
Citizenship: Household members who are U.S. citizens
and certain other non-citizens may qualify.
Resources: All households may have up to $2,000 worth
of resources. Households of one or more may have up to
$3,000 if one person is 60 years of age or older. Certain
resources, like money and vehicles are counted toward
these limits. Others, like your home, are not.
Income: Money you earn by working or payments you
receive on a regular basis are counted as income. Food
Stamp income limits increase as household size
increases. Your household's income will be added and
certain monthly expenses will be deducted to see if your
household qualifies.
Can I Receive Food Stamps?
Does your monthly household income fit into the chart
below? If it does, you should apply.
How To Apply
Click Here to visit and apply to the State of Connecticut
Food Stamp Program
To apply you must file an application and be interviewed
by the Department of Social Services (DSS). If you cannot
get to the office, you can give permission to someone
who knows your circumstances and they can apply for
you. If you cannot find someone to go for you, call the DSS
office. You may qualify for a mail-in application or phone
interview. If you are disabled or age 60 or older, you can
do everything by mail.
If you have little or no money and need help quickly, tell the
DSS office. You may be able to get help within seven (7)
days. Otherwise, we will tell you if you are eligible or not
within 30 days from the date you apply.
The amount of food stamps you get will be based on your
household's size and income after deductions. Receiving
food stamps will not reduce the amount of other payments
you receive, such as Social Security benefits. You can
use food stamps to buy food at most stores that sell food.
You cannot buy non-food items such as tobacco, alcohol,
paper supplies or soap. The food stamp program helps
low-income households buy foods needed for good
health.
Food Stamp Hotline: 1 (800) 842-1508
Department of Social Services programs are available
to all applicants and recipients without regard to race,
color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, disabilities,
learning disabilities, national origin, ancestry or
language barriers.
A TDD/TTY line for persons who are deaf or hearing
impaired is also available. Call 1-800-842-4524.
Auxiliary aids are also available for blind or visually
impaired person.
Contact:
New Britain Regional Sub-Office (serving the greater
Plainville area)
30 Christian Lane, New Britain, CT - click for mapquest
directions
Phone (860) 612-3400
Links to Other Area Resources
The Plainville Community Food Pantry realizes that we
can not meet all the needs our clients may have. To assist
in other ways, below are links and telephone numbers to
additional resources.
United Way of West Central Connecticut (860) 582-9559
Connecticut Association for Human Services (CAHS) Publication
Programs that Help People In Connecticut
Programs that Help People In Connecticut
