Connecticut Reentry Financial Help
Connecticut Financial Help (Benefits, Food, Heating, Emergency Support)
Use these resources to stabilize basics while on supervision: benefits, food, emergency support, and heating assistance. Start with Connecticut’s official benefits portal, then use 2-1-1 and food banks for fast local help.
Apply for benefits
ConneCT is Connecticut’s online portal for applying/managing many DSS benefits (SNAP, cash, Medicaid, etc.).
Find local help fast
2-1-1 Connecticut connects you to food pantries, shelters, rent help, and local programs by town/zip.
Statewide entry points
Use these first for benefits, food, heating, and local referrals.
✅ Verified Connecticut official benefits & programs
ConneCT (CT DSS) — apply/manage benefits
Online portal to apply for and manage many DSS benefits (SNAP, Medicaid, cash assistance, etc.).
Online portal to apply for and manage many DSS benefits (SNAP, Medicaid, cash assistance, etc.).
Keep screenshots/confirmation numbers for records.
Online
CEAP — Connecticut Energy Assistance Program
Heating assistance information and program access (seasonal; eligibility applies).
Heating assistance information and program access (seasonal; eligibility applies).
Apply early—funds can run out.
DSS
2-1-1 Connecticut — local help finder
Search food, shelter, rent help, utility help, and local programs by zip.
Search food, shelter, rent help, utility help, and local programs by zip.
Call 2-1-1 if you need a live navigator.
Dial 2-1-1
🛠️ Eligible Food & community-based support
Connecticut Foodshare — pantry & mobile distribution
Food bank serving CT; find pantry locations and mobile distributions.
Food bank serving CT; find pantry locations and mobile distributions.
Great for same-week food needs.
See site
The Salvation Army (Southern New England) — basic needs help
Some locations offer emergency assistance, food programs, or referrals (varies by site).
Some locations offer emergency assistance, food programs, or referrals (varies by site).
Call your local unit and ask what’s available.
1-800-SAL-ARMY
CTLawHelp — benefits & housing info
Plain-language info on benefits and housing resources; may help you troubleshoot applications.
Plain-language info on benefits and housing resources; may help you troubleshoot applications.
Helpful when you need steps/checklists.
Online
Region 1 — Greater Hartford
Counties: Hartford
🛠️ Eligible Food & immediate support
Hands On Hartford — meals & pantry
Community meals and pantry support (services vary; check schedules).
Community meals and pantry support (services vary; check schedules).
Bring ID if required.
See site
2-1-1 CT — Hartford region referrals
Ask about rent/utility arrears programs and local community action agencies.
Ask about rent/utility arrears programs and local community action agencies.
Call for a live navigator.
Dial 2-1-1
✅ Verified Benefits application
ConneCT — apply/manage DSS benefits
Fastest way to apply for SNAP/medical/cash benefits and manage your case online.
Fastest way to apply for SNAP/medical/cash benefits and manage your case online.
Save confirmation numbers for your records.
Online
Region 2 — New Haven / Meriden
Counties: New Haven
🛠️ Eligible Local food & aid navigation
CT Foodshare — find food near New Haven
Use the locator to find pantries and distributions near your zip code.
Use the locator to find pantries and distributions near your zip code.
Great for same-week food help.
See site
2-1-1 CT — New Haven referrals
Ask about rent/utility help, local community action agencies, and emergency programs.
Ask about rent/utility help, local community action agencies, and emergency programs.
Explain your urgency and household size.
Dial 2-1-1
✅ Verified Benefits & heating
CEAP — heating assistance info
Learn eligibility and how to apply (seasonal). Start early.
Learn eligibility and how to apply (seasonal). Start early.
Ask 2-1-1 for your local intake agency.
DSS
Region 3 — Fairfield County
Counties: Fairfield
🛠️ Eligible Food & emergency support
2-1-1 CT — Fairfield County referrals
Find rent/utility help, emergency food, and local assistance by town.
Find rent/utility help, emergency food, and local assistance by town.
Ask for programs that can pay arrears or prevent shutoffs.
Dial 2-1-1
CT Foodshare — Fairfield County food help
Locate pantries and distributions by zip code.
Locate pantries and distributions by zip code.
Bring ID if required by the pantry.
See site
✅ Verified Apply/manage benefits
ConneCT — DSS benefits portal
Apply and manage SNAP/medical/cash benefits online.
Apply and manage SNAP/medical/cash benefits online.
Upload documents promptly to avoid delays.
Online
Region 4 — New London / Southeast CT
Counties: New London
🛠️ Eligible Local assistance navigation
2-1-1 CT — SE CT referrals
Ask about food pantries, rent help, and local community action agencies.
Ask about food pantries, rent help, and local community action agencies.
Explain your income situation and urgency.
Dial 2-1-1
✅ Verified Heating & benefits
CEAP — heating assistance
Program info and eligibility details (seasonal).
Program info and eligibility details (seasonal).
Ask 2-1-1 for your local intake site.
DSS
Region 5 — East Central
Counties: Tolland, Windham, Middlesex
🛠️ Eligible Food & emergency help
CT Foodshare — locate food near you
Search by zip to find food distributions in your area.
Search by zip to find food distributions in your area.
Use this when you need food fast.
See site
2-1-1 CT — East Central referrals
Find rent/utility help, emergency assistance, and local agencies by town.
Find rent/utility help, emergency assistance, and local agencies by town.
Ask about “shutoff prevention” or “arrears” help.
Dial 2-1-1
✅ Verified Apply/manage benefits
ConneCT — CT DSS benefits portal
Apply for SNAP/medical/cash benefits and manage your case online.
Apply for SNAP/medical/cash benefits and manage your case online.
Upload documents quickly to avoid delays.
Online
Region 6 — Northwest (Litchfield)
Counties: Litchfield
🛠️ Eligible Local navigation
2-1-1 CT — Northwest referrals
Ask about food, rent help, and local resources by town/zip.
Ask about food, rent help, and local resources by town/zip.
Ask for the closest community action agency.
Dial 2-1-1
CT Foodshare — food locator
Search food pantries and distributions near you.
Search food pantries and distributions near you.
Check pantry hours before traveling.
See site
✅ Verified Heating assistance
CEAP — energy assistance info
Eligibility and application guidance for heating help (seasonal).
Eligibility and application guidance for heating help (seasonal).
Ask 2-1-1 for local intake agency.
DSS
Benefits & compliance: Keep copies of benefit award letters and appointment confirmations—these can help demonstrate stability and compliance planning.
Fast help: If you’re in crisis, call 2-1-1 and ask for emergency food, shelter, and utility shutoff prevention.
Provider updates: Connecticut assistance provider? Email contact@oacra.app.
