As food prices remain high, affording groceries is even more challenging for the thousands of Connecticut families who lost help they’ve relied on.
They were kicked off SNAP benefits after federal eligibility changed last year, following the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
According to state social services data provided to non-profit DataHaven, there was a 15% drop in SNAP enrollment from June 2025 to June 2026.
About 55,000 people no longer had benefits, and DataHaven reports the change in SNAP’s work requirements contributed to that.
Now, adults without dependents have to prove they work or volunteer at least 80 hours a month, or 20 hours a week to be eligible for SNAP.
“From childcare to medical issues, mental health issues, homelessness, there’s a lot of different things that I think wasn’t taken into consideration when this federal work mandate was put into place,” Jendayi Scott, founder of non-profit Angel of Edgewood, said.
Scott has been dropping off food and collecting donations to help feed those in need in Hartford, one of the areas that has seen a big drop in SNAP enrollment, according to DataHaven.
“I couldn’t even get anyone to come and speak on camera with me because they’re that embarrassed and they’re hurt,” she said.
To help out these families, the state announced last month that a one-time payment of $300 will be provided to those who qualify. But according to Scott and the state, a lot of people haven’t picked up that money.
Those who lost SNAP benefits due to the new federal work requirements are eligible for the prepaid grocery card that doesn’t expire. They can get it by contacting their local community action agency. You can find one near you by clicking here.
Scott said getting the grocery card requires an appointment at the local agency and paperwork.
As food prices remain high, affording groceries is even more challenging for the thousands of Connecticut families who lost help they’ve relied on.
They were kicked off SNAP benefits after federal eligibility changed last year, following the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
According to state social services data provided to non-profit DataHaven, there was a 15% drop in SNAP enrollment from June 2025 to June 2026.
About 55,000 people no longer had benefits, and DataHaven reports the change in SNAP’s work requirements contributed to that.
Now, adults without dependents have to prove they work or volunteer at least 80 hours a month, or 20 hours a week to be eligible for SNAP.
“From childcare to medical issues, mental health issues, homelessness, there's a lot of different things that I think wasn't taken into consideration when this federal work mandate was put into place," Jendayi Scott, founder of non-profit Angel of Edgewood, said.
Scott has been dropping off food and collecting donations to help feed those in need in Hartford, one of the areas that has seen a big drop in SNAP enrollment, according to DataHaven.
“I couldn't even get anyone to come and speak on camera with me because they're that embarrassed and they're hurt," she said.
To help out these families, the state announced last month that a one-time payment of $300 will be provided to those who qualify. But according to Scott and the state, a lot of people haven't picked up that money.
Those who lost SNAP benefits due to the new federal work requirements are eligible for the prepaid grocery card that doesn’t expire. They can get it by contacting their local community action agency. You can find one near you by clicking here.
Scott said getting the grocery card requires an appointment at the local agency and paperwork.
| # | Наименование новости | Тональность | Информативность | Дата публикации |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New SNAP benefit amounts take effect. Here's how this impacts Central Illinois: | 0 | 9.78 | 30-09-2026 |
| 2 | Hartford opens public housing waitlist for first time in years as demand surges | 0 | 8.98 | 16-09-2026 |
| 3 | New SNAP benefit amounts take effect Oct. 1: Here's how much | 0 | 12.63 | 28-09-2026 |
| 4 | New SNAP benefit amounts take effect Oct. 1: Here's how much | 0 | 12.63 | 28-09-2026 |
| 5 | New SNAP benefit amounts take effect Oct. 1: Here's how much | 0 | 12.63 | 28-09-2026 |
| 6 | New SNAP benefit amounts take effect Oct. 1: Here's how much | 0 | 12.63 | 28-09-2026 |
| 7 | Two women accused stealing more than $600,000 from Connecticut Medicaid program | 0 | 8.13 | 29-09-2026 |
| 8 | New SNAP rules take effect in Missouri, funding increases | 0 | 5.88 | 02-10-2026 |
| 9 | Medicaid set to end Oct. 1 for some refugee groups, part of "Big Beautiful Bill" | 0 | 8.43 | 01-10-2026 |
| 10 | Trinity College offering free tuition for accepted students who live in Hartford | 0 | 6.96 | 09-09-2026 |