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Free and Reduced Price Meals

Change in SNAP Benefits Beginning in March 2023

The Department of Social Services (DSS) recently notified the CSDE that there will be a change in SNAP benefits beginning in March 2023, which will impact some households and students within your school or district. These changes may cause parents/guardians to contact schools or school nutrition programs with questions pertaining to the receipt of SNAP benefits or for assistance with completing a free and reduced-price meal application. Therefore, the CSDE is providing the information below to assist school food authorities (SFAs) with addressing any questions and to increase awareness around the ending of the extra SNAP benefits.

Beginning in April 2020 and continuing through the COVID-19 public health emergency, as authorized by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, Connecticut households received extra SNAP benefits (called SNAP Emergency Allotments) on their EBT cards in the middle of each month. For the past 21 months, these payments were a minimum of $95, but averaged $156 per household. Due to recent passing of the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, these extra payments are ending. The last extra COVID SNAP payment will be in February 2023. Note that the DSS does not have control over the ending of these benefits as they are due to federal legislation.

Starting in March 2023 all SNAP households will receive only one SNAP payment the first three days of the month depending on last name and will not receive a second deposit mid-month. That amount will be their normal monthly benefit. For answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding SNAP benefits please visit https://portal.ct.gov/DSS/SNAP/Extra-COVID-SNAP-Benefits/FAQ

 Households with questions regarding their EBT balance can visit www.mydss.ct.gov. This website, allows clients the opportunity to update DSS with any case changes, complete their renewals, view documents sent from DSS, or verify their case status from their computer or mobile device. 



Applying for Free and Reduced Price Meals You may be eligible for free or reduced price meals. Applications are sent home on the first day of school and are available online. They can be completed and returned to the Food Services office at any time during the year.  


CSDE Parent Video: The CSDE recently developed a 16-minute video for parents and guardians of schoolchildren, How to Fill Out the Application for Free and Reduced-price Meals or Free Milk. This video that provides step-by-step guidance on how to compete the Application for Free and Reduced-price School Meals or Free Milk.



 Link Free & Reduced Price Meals Application 2023-2024
 Link Parent Letter - Frequently Asked Questions
 Link Addendum C - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
 Link Addendum B - HUSKY Insurance
 Link Addendum A - Sharing of Information
 Link Family Friendly Multiple Language Application Link