Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont announced today the distribution of one-time $300 grocery benefits to low-income residents who lost Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility due to recent federal changes. These benefits, financed by $8.5 million from the state's Federal Cuts Response Fund, are being provided as prepaid virtual grocery cards through a partnership with Connecticut’s network of community action agencies.
The initiative targets individuals in households who lost SNAP eligibility since December 1, 2025, specifically due to new federal Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) requirements. The $300 benefit is per individual and does not impact eligibility for other assistance programs. Residents who received a DSS notice regarding their ABAWD status and three-month SNAP limit should contact their local community action agency to request the benefit.
Governor Lamont criticized the federal changes, stating, "Connecticut will not stand by as the Trump administration uses hunger as a weapon against working families, veterans, and our most vulnerable populations." He added that these changes represent "a cruel decision to pull food away from people who need it most," particularly affecting veterans. The governor urged Congress to reverse these cuts.
DSS Commissioner Andrea Barton Reeves emphasized the immediate impact, saying, "This benefit won’t undo the impact of these federal changes, but it’s real, immediate help, and our community action agency partners are ready to make sure it reaches the people who need it—along with the support to help them regain SNAP eligibility going forward." The virtual cards function like standard prepaid credit cards for food purchases and do not expire.
This $8.5 million allocation is part of a larger $33 million investment from the Federal Cuts Response Fund, which Governor Lamont and the Connecticut General Assembly established in 2025 to address significant federal policy and funding shifts. The broader investment also includes funds for food banks, pantries, and outreach efforts to help residents navigate changes to SNAP and Medicaid.