Food Stamps Application Instructions


To apply for SNAP Food Stamps program, applicants have the choice to:

Apply through your local DSS office

You can apply at your local Department of Social Services (DSS) office. If you can't visit local DSS office due to illness or disability, you can ask someone else to do the paperwork for you. You can find your local DSS office using this interactive map.

Apply by Mail or Fax

If you can't visit your local DSS office, you can apply through mail or fax. You will first have to download and complete the application form, which is used for applying to SNAP, Medicaid, and Home Care programs, all at the same time.

Download the application here: www.ct.gov/dss/lib/dss/PDFs/w-1f.pdf

If you're looking to apply for Food Stamps (SNAP) only, please download this application in either English or in Spanish

After you complete the application, send it to your local DSS office and wait for an eligibility worker to be assigned to your case. You will get a date for interview.

For more information on Food Stamps (SNAP), you can call: (800) 842-1508.


Eligibility Requirements

In order to determine eligibility for Food Stamps (SNAP) program, applicants can use a screening tool here.

In order to qualify for SNAP benefits the applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Must be a U.S citizens or qualified aliens
  • Must be a resident of Connecticut
  • Must meet income and resource guidelines

Financial Eligibility

Households looking to receive Connecticut Food Stamps (SNAP) benefits will have to meet financial eligibility in addition to clearing standard eligibility requirements.

Households will have to meet the following gross and net income limits:

  • Households must have less than $2,000 in assets to qualify for SNAP
  • Household with a member who is at least 60 years old or disabled the asset limit is $3,250.
  • The gross income limit is set at 185% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). The gross income is total income of the household before tax or other deductions are computed.
  • The net income limit is set at Federal Poverty Level (FPL)

The gross income limit applies to all the households in Connecticut looking to receive SNAP benefits. However, households with a person over 60 or disability don't have to meet gross income limitation. Nevertheless, these households will still have to meet net income limitation in order to receive Food Stamps benefits.

Households will also have to meet assets limits if gross income for the household is more than 185% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Such households can't have asset value above $3250.

Financial Eligibility

Applicants will also have to agree to participate in employment and training related activities. If applicants don't enroll for work and their age is between 18 and 50, they can only receive SNAP benefits for 3 months in three years period.

What is considered a 'Household' for SNAP?

SNAP defines a living unit as household if people are living together, preparing food together and buying food supplies together. In some cases, people living together can be counted as separate households. One such case is an elderly living with others where others have income below poverty level.