Connecticut Resources
To find out about key benefits and services in Connecticut and how to apply, select from the topics below.
Key State Contacts
The Department of Social Services (DSS) is responsible for disbursing federal funds related to the resettlement of refugees in Connecticut.
The Connecticut Department of Public Health’s (DPH) Refugee and Immigrant Health Program (RIHP) is the public health component of Connecticut’s Refugee Assistance Program. The RIHP works with refugee resettlement agencies and other sponsors, local health departments, and health care providers to offer appropriate health assessments, follow-up or referral, and community-based health education to newly arriving entrants to Connecticut.
Connecticut Resettlement Agencies
Cash & Food Assistance
Cash assistance available to residents who enter the U.S. under humanitarian protection with low incomes
Federal nutrition program
Cash assistance designed to help low-income families achieve self-sufficiency
A program provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness who have income and resources below specific financial limits. SSI payments are also made to people age 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial qualifications.
A program offering supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition information to low-income women who are pregnant or have children aged birth to five.
A federal program supporting participants to attain self-sufficiency within 240 days (8 months) of arrival in the United States through financial, case management, and employment supports
Refugee & Newcomer Health
The Connecticut Department of Public Health’s (DPH) Refugee and Immigrant Health Program (RIHP) is the public health component of Connecticut’s Refugee Assistance Program. The RIHP works with refugee resettlement agencies and other sponsors, local health departments, and health care providers to offer appropriate health assessments, follow-up or referral, and community-based health education to newly arriving entrants to Connecticut.
The RIHP assists refugees and asylees, persons with special immigrant visas, lawful permanent residents, and certain other entrants to Connecticut. The RIHP does not receive health information about tourists, students, or persons with work visas.
Accessing Health Care
An overview of how to apply for DSS programs and Services including Husky health programs (Medicaid).
DSS regional offices administer the Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) and Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) programs for refugees for up to twelve months from their date of entry to the U.S. DSS also provides refugees with temporary family assistance/cash assistance, medical coverage and food stamp assistance under those public assistance programs since refugees qualify as legal non-citizens.
Access Health CT is Connecticut’s official health insurance marketplace. Shop, compare, and enroll in health and dental plans.
HUSKY B is Connecticut’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP, also known as Title XXI). HUSKY B provides a free or low-cost health insurance program for children and youth up to age 19 for families who are not income eligible for HUSKY A. There may be premium or copay requirements. (Please refer to www.ct.gov/husky for additional information.) HUSKY B offers medical, dental and behavioral health services.
Persons with Disabilities
Services related to the independence and well-being of people with disabilities and older adults in Connecticut.
Provides a full assessment, a range of equipment and training to eligible individuals who have a combination of Deafness & Blindness (low vision and hearing loss).
Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind
Phone: 860-602-4000
Connecticut Deaf and Hard of Hearing Resource Guide
Seniors
Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older. You’re first eligible to sign up for Medicare 3 months before you turn 65.
Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
Services related to the independence and well-being of people with disabilities and older adults in Connecticut.
Phone: 860-424-5055
TTY: 860-247-0775
The Social Security program in the United States provides protection against the loss of earnings due to retirement, death, or disability.
Connecticut’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) agencies educate, and assist Medicare-eligible individuals, their families, and caregivers through objective outreach, counseling, and training to make informed health insurance decisions that optimize access to care and benefits. CHOICES is a partnership between the state’s 5 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and the Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc. It is administered by the Department of Aging and Disability Services.
Phone: 1-800-994-9422
Children's Health
Early intervention services for infants and toddlers at risk for developmental delays
Phone: 1-800-505-7000
Community-based mental health services
Programs and Information for children with special needs
Phone: 1-800-505-7000
Mental Health
Services related to mental health and addiction
Services for individuals with intellectual disabilities
North Region
Help Line: 1-877-437-4577
South Region
Help Line: 1-877-437-4567
West Region
Help Line: 1-877-491-2720
Dental Health
An overview of how to apply for DSS programs and Services including Husky health programs (Medicaid) that provide dental assistance.
An overview of how to apply for DSS programs and Services including Husky health programs (Medicaid) that provide dental assistance.
Vision Health
An overview of how to apply for DSS programs and Services including Husky health programs (Medicaid) that provide vision assistance.
Please note that there are no specialized housing supports or access specifically for new arrivals.
Find Housing
Housing programs
Connecticut Public Housing Agency websites
Assistance with Housing Costs
Call 211 (24/7) from a Connecticut based cellphone or landline to speak to a Community Resource Specialist
The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) helps Connecticut residents afford to heat their homes.
Helping residents maintain houisng stability
Call 211 (24/7) from a Connecticut based cellphone or landline to speak to a Community Resource Specialist
The Rental Assistance Program (RAP) is the major state-supported program for assisting very low-income families to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market.
Housing Advocacy
Advice for homeowners and homebuyers and self-help resources
Housing Counseling
Advice for homeowners and homebuyers and self-help resources
Provides a variety of educational tools and counseling program services to all Connecticut residents.
HUD sponsors housing counseling agencies throughout the country to provide free or low-cost advice.
Phone: 800-569-4287
Renter Rights
Advice for homeowners and homebuyers and self-help resources
Homelessness Prevention & Assistance
The Eviction Prevention Fund provides eligible households who have a summary process eviction action pending against them with up to 15 months or $18,500 in a one-time rental assistance payment to cover their rental arrears.
Community providers across the state work with households experiencing homelessness. These networks form a statewide system for accessible, standardized, assessment and referral processes to community resources within 8 geographic regions for people experiencing a housing crisis or homelessness.
Employment services through the resettlement network
Other employment services
Various employment related resources across Connecticut
The Matching Grant program helps refugees and other ORR-eligible populations overcome barriers and quickly find jobs. The intent is for refugees to become economically self-sufficient through employment within 240 days and without accessing cash assistance programs.
Documentation
Information and resources about obtaining a driver’s license or state ID
Provide Social Security Numbers and administer retirement, disability, survivor, and family benefits, and enroll individuals in Medicare.
Language
An overview of State provisions related to English language learners (ELLs) or limited English proficient (LEP) students.
English as a Second Language and G.E.D. preparation classes for adult learners
English for speakers of other languages (ESOL)
Phone: 475-220-8200
Childcare
Care4Kids helps low- to moderate-income families in Connecticut pay for childcare costs. This program is sponsored by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood.
Early Childhood Education
The Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) oversees a network of early childhood care, education, and development programs focusing on the first years of children’s lives, from birth to age five. OEC assists with finding and paying for childcare.
The School Readiness Preschool Program provides early care and education services in high-need communities that help young children prepare for kindergarten.
2-1-1 Childcare helps families find childcare to best meet their needs and maintains current listings of licensed and license-exempt childcare programs in Connecticut.
Call 211 (24/7) from a Connecticut-based cellphone or landline to speak to a Community Resource Specialist.
K-12 Education
K-12 education services
Adult Education
Adult education programs and providers
Legal
Provides services to low- income people facing issues such as homelessness, lack of medical care, and domestic violence.
Statewide Legal Services provides free advice for low-income people with legal problems in Connecticut.
A not-for-profit law office providing free civil legal services to low-income people and seniors in the Hartford area.
– Represents individual clients before courts and government agencies, and groups of clients in complex litigation.
– Provides community legal education to empower people to know their rights and advocate for themselves.
– Advocates to improve systems and policies.
NHLAA offers free legal services to people living in poverty in New Haven County and the Lower Naugatuck Valley. Provides legal advice, brief service, and full representation to individual clients.
Welcome Corps
Employment
Public Safety
A resource to help older adults in Connecticut seek information, assistance, and justice.
Hotline: 1-860-808-5555
- Emergency Assistance
For emergencies, dial 9-1-1.
An emergency is when immediate police, fire or medical assistance is needed to protect life or property.
9-1-1 education
Contact Connecticut State Police
Violence, Human Trafficking, and Exploitation
The Human Anti-Trafficking Response Team (HART) was created in order to focus on and reduce Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST). The State of Connecticut Legislature has created legislation to promote public awareness and prevention of child sex trafficking, to provide for ongoing monitoring of efforts to combat trafficking, to clarify mandatory reporting, and to provide a statewide oversight and monitoring body.
If you are not safe, call or text 9-1-1.
If you need assistance, call the National Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 (or text 233733)
If you are aware of a child who is being victimized, call the Careline: 1-800-842-2288
Adult & Child Abuse
Report child abuse and neglect
Phone: 1-800-842-2288
TDD: 1-800-624-5518
Protective services for the elderly
Call 211
Statewide office of Protective Services for the Elderly investigates reports of known or suspected physical or mental abuse, exploitation, or neglect of adults ages 60+ who are living in the community and long-term care facilities.
Call 888-385-4225 or 211
Mental Health
Bring Me Back Home (BMBH) is a new registry for Connecticut residents which allows law enforcement access to information to assist in the recovery of missing or wandering persons. The provided information and photo, accessible through the COLLECT criminal justice and safety system, helps first responders and families reunite with individuals living with cognitive challenges, such as Dementia or Autism. This information is confidential and secure and can only be accessed by law enforcement personnel in an emergency.
For emergencies, call 911.
For questions regarding dementia and wandering, call 1-800-272-3900.
Services related to mental health and addiction
Services for individuals with intellectual disabilities
North Region
Help Line: 1-877-437-4577
South Region
Help Line: 1-877-437-4567
West Region
Help Line: 1-877-491-2720
Suicide prevention assistance
Call or text 988
Local Resource Search
The resources in this map are collected via desk research and submissions from agency contacts and community sponsors. While we work to ensure the information provided is up-to-date and accurate, please use the buttons below to submit a new service connection or request an edit to an existing entry.
This local resource map was developed with funding from Switchboard.