Cash help for families
During the COVID-19 pandemic, rules about work and extensions for Temporary Family Assistance (TFA) make people eligible who were not previously eligible. You may qualify even if you have been told in the past that you have wasted your time.
If your family has NO income or very LOW income, you may be eligible for cash assistance.
If you are unable to work because of a disability , you should also apply for disability benefits and SSI. See our brochure Disability and SSI .
a family of 3 could receive up to $570 per month in what is called
How much cash aid can I receive?
If you have children in your home, a family of 3 could receive up to $570 per month in what is called TFA Cash Assistance .
How to apply: You can get an application online at https://connect.ct.gov/access/jsp/access/Home.jsp , at any DSS office, or by calling1-855-626-6632. Fill it out and mail it to the Scanning Center, whose address is on the application, or take it to your local DSS office. To find the address of your local DSS, call 2-1-1 . They will contact you for an in-person interview. You should receive a decision within 45 days of the application date.
If you have a disability that makes it hard for you to follow all the steps DSS requires when you apply, ask your DSS worker for help. Explain your disability and tell him what kind of help you need.
you can order
- help filling out forms;
- help getting the documents you need; or
- a meeting with DSS, either in person or by phone, depending on what is best for you.
How long will I get cash aid?
If your family's income remains low, you should receive cash aid for 21 months, and then you can apply for two six-month extensions, for a total of 33 months.
During the COVID-19 emergency, you can continue to apply and get additional extensions (up to 60 months) because the pandemic is considered a circumstance beyond your control.
Usually, after 33 months, you may be able to get additional 6-month extensions (up to 60 months total) if you have two job barriers that mean you can only work on a limited basis. For example:
1. One of your children (who lives in your home):
- have a serious physical or behavioral health problem; or
- have legal problems or problems with the Department of Children and Families (DCF).
2. An adult living in your home has:
- a serious physical or mental health problem;
- a learning disability;
- drug or alcohol problems;
- domestic violence problems;
- cannot read English; or
- childcare or transportation problems that interfere with your ability to work.
You can apply for an extension at any time, even years after you've stopped collecting TFA, as long as you haven't used up your 60 months.