Benefits for seniors in Connecticut

Medicaid for people 65 and over

HUSKY C is run by the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS). It is for residents 65 or older, and adults who are blind or disabled.

• Income: Up to $851 a month for a single person, or $1,153 for a married couple.
• Assets: Up to $1,600 for a single person, or $2,400 for a married couple.
• Spend-down: If your income is over the limit, you may still qualify by using the extra on medical bills.
• What it covers: Doctor and hospital care, medicine, and long-term care. If you have Medicare, HUSKY C can pay costs Medicare does not.
• If you get the State Supplement: You get Medicaid automatically.

Long-term care. For nursing home care or home care waivers, a single person can have income up to $2,982 a month and assets up to $1,600. If your spouse stays at home, they can keep between $50,000 and $162,660 in assets, plus some of your income. DSS looks back five years at what you gave away or sold. Your home equity must be $1,130,000 or less.

Estate recovery. After death, the state can seek repayment from the estate for long-term care and home care, and for other medical care paid at age 55 or older. It does not do this while there is a living spouse or a child who is under 21, blind or disabled. The state may also place a lien on your home if you move permanently into a nursing home.

Help paying Medicare costs

Connecticut's Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) have much higher income limits than the federal minimum. You must have Medicare Part A and live in Connecticut. There is no asset limit. These limits took effect March 1, 2026.

• QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary): Pays your Part B premium and Medicare deductibles and coinsurance. Income up to 211% of the poverty level: $2,807 a month for one person, or $3,806 for a couple.
• SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary): Pays your Part B premium. Income up to 231% of the poverty level: $3,073 a month for one person, or $4,166 for a couple.
• ALMB (Additional Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary): Connecticut's name for QI. Pays your Part B premium if funding allows. Income up to 246% of the poverty level: $3,272 a month for one person, or $4,437 for a couple. You cannot get ALMB if you have Medicaid.

If you get any MSP, you also get Extra Help with drug costs automatically.

How to apply: Online at www.connect.ct.gov ("Apply for Benefits"), or mail form W-1QMB to DSS ConneCT Scanning Center, PO Box 1320, Manchester, CT 06045.

Prescription drug help

Connecticut's old drug program for seniors, ConnPACE, has ended. DSS says people who used it now get drug help through Extra Help because they are on a Medicare Savings Program. So the best step is to apply for an MSP. Extra Help lowers your Part D premium and caps copays at $5.10 for generics and $12.65 for brand-name drugs.

Extra state payment with SSI

Connecticut pays a State Supplement for the Aged, Blind and Disabled, run by DSS.

• Who qualifies: People 65 or older, or adults who are blind or disabled, who have another source of income such as Social Security, SSI or veterans' benefits.
• Assets: Up to $1,600 for a single person or $2,400 for a couple.
• How much: There is no single set amount. DSS compares your income to your needs, such as rent, and pays some of the gap. The amount depends on where you live.
• Medicaid: If you get the State Supplement, you also get Medicaid.

Food help

Connecticut calls food stamps SNAP. Benefits come on an EBT card.

• Rules for older adults: If someone in your home is 60 or older or disabled, you only need to meet the net income limit (income after deductions). From October 2026 that is $1,330 a month for one person, or $1,804 for two. Medical costs you pay yourself can be deducted. Some of these households have an asset limit of $4,750.
• Benefit: Up to $306 a month for one person.
• How to apply: Online at www.connect.ct.gov, by mailing form W-1E, or at a DSS office. Call the DSS Benefits Center at 1-855-626-6632 (1-855-6-CONNECT). For EBT card help, call 1-800-385-4052.
• Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program: If you are 60 or older with income up to 185% of the poverty guidelines, you can get benefits for fresh produce at farmers markets, June 1 to November 30. Pick them up at a distribution site. Questions: Department of Agriculture, 860-713-2500.
• Meals: Your local Area Agency on Aging can help you find senior meal sites and home-delivered meals.

Help staying at home

• Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE): Helps people 65 and older get care at home instead of a nursing home. It has a Medicaid waiver part and a state-funded part, each with its own financial rules. People in the state-funded part pay a share of the cost.
  • Who qualifies: You need help with at least 3 daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, eating or toileting. You may qualify with 2 if you also need help with medicine or supervision because of memory problems.
  • Services: Personal care, homemaker help, adult day services, home-delivered meals, emergency response buttons, home changes, respite for caregivers, transportation and assisted living.
  • Waiting list: DSS says there is currently no waiting list.
  • Contact: Call 1-800-445-5394 or 860-424-4904, or visit MyPlaceCT.org.

Property tax and housing help

• Homeowners' Elderly/Disabled Circuit Breaker Tax Relief: For homeowners 65 or older, or totally disabled. For the 2026 filing, your 2025 income must be no more than $46,300 if unmarried or $56,500 if married. The credit is up to $1,250 a year for a married couple or $1,000 for a single person. Apply at your town assessor's office between February 1 and May 15. Info line: 860-418-6290.
• Renters' Rebate for Elderly/Disabled Renters: For renters 65 or older (or with a spouse 65 or older), surviving spouses 50 or older, or people 18 or older on Social Security Disability, after one year in Connecticut. The income limits are the same as the Circuit Breaker. The rebate is up to $900 for a married couple or $700 for a single person. Apply at your town assessor's office between April 1 and September 30. There are no extensions. Hotline: 860-418-6377.
• Local help: Many towns also offer their own senior tax relief. Ask your assessor.

Help with energy bills

The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) is Connecticut's version of LIHEAP. It helps homeowners and renters with winter heating costs.

• Who qualifies: Household income at or below 60% of state median income. For the 2026-2027 season that is $48,714 a year for one person, or $63,703 for two.
• Benefit: Homes with someone 60 or older or disabled get a larger basic benefit, from $405 up to $705, depending on income. If you heat with oil or propane, crisis help of $430 per delivery may also be available.
• Dates: Fuel deliveries can be paid starting November 2, 2026. The last day to apply is May 31, 2027.
• How to apply: Through your local Community Action Agency, online, by mail or by phone. Call 2-1-1 or 1-800-842-1132, or see www.ct.gov/heatinghelp.

Free help and counseling

• CHOICES: Connecticut's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Counselors give free, unbiased help with Medicare, Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help and comparing plans. Call 1-800-994-9422. Website: portal.ct.gov/ADS-CHOICES.
• Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) and Area Agencies on Aging: Help finding benefits, care options and local services like meals and caregiver support. Call 1-800-994-9422 to reach the one for your area.
• Aging and Disability Services (ADS): Connecticut's state aging agency. Website: portal.ct.gov/ads.
• DSS general information: 1-800-842-1508. TDD/TTY: 1-800-842-4524.

How to apply

Check what you may qualify for