With the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency ending, health benefit programs, such as HUSKY/CHIP and Medicaid that had automatically renewed eligibility for members during the health emergency, will now require a renewal review. Connecticut Department of Social Services will start sending out letters and renewal forms to clients receiving these programs when client’s renewal times are due, throughout 2023. Visit the Department of Social Services website here for more information: Public Health Emergency (ct.gov)
HUSKY HEALTH MEMBER RENEWALS
When the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) ends, Department of Social Services/HUSKY Health will resume the regular HUSKY eligibility process by giving all HUSKY A, B, D, or D Health members a chance to renew their coverage. When it is time to renew, HUSKY Health members will receive a notice in advance, so it is important that individuals most recent mailing address is on file to receive this notification. (Individuals can verify or update their address at: ct.gov/UpdateUsDSS):
It is important that HUSKY A, B & D members have their contact information updated with Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) – To find out where to create an online account visit: Access Health CT . Already have an online account? Just log in to update contact information.
Households and individuals who are over 65 and older, blind or with disability and wish to review their contact information for Medicaid (HUSKY C) or Medicaid for Employees with Disabilities (MED-Connect) can go online at www.connect.ct.gov.
OPTIONS IF NOT ELIGIBLE AFTER RENEWAL REVIEW
Individuals who will no longer qualify for coverage Medicaid can look at the “Affordable Care Act’s” marketplace, Access Health CT to see different options for health insurance. Benefits will be different for individuals who had relied on Medicaid. Co-pays and other cost will be higher, and individuals need to verify to see if their doctors are available on the plan. Children receive coverage through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and should be eligible. Parents may receive a notice that they are no longer eligible for coverage, but their children will be eligible due to CHIP.
A special enrollment will be open for people who are not now eligible for Medicaid any longer, from March 31 through July 31, 2024. Individuals who have lost Medicaid will have 60 days to enroll in another plan. For additional health care assistance, and help with the application process, visit a local community health clinic in your area:
SNAP BENEFIT INFORMATION
Since April 2020, the federal government has allowed Connecticut to issue an extra SNAP payment to households in the middle of each month. The federal government has ended these benefits, as of February 2023. This change will affect many households, here are additional resources to assist individuals and families with food assistance.
SAVE YOUR SNAP BENEFITS: You can save some SNAP benefits for the upcoming months. Remember, unused benefits will stay on individuals EBT card unless individuals card goes unused for 9 months. To check regular monthly benefits and real time EBT balance:
SNAP Recipients: DSS started in January 2023, texting renewal reminders to recipients who need to submit their renewal forms. Texts will come from the DSS Benefits Center phone number, (855-626-6632). Texts will be strictly informational. They will NOT ask for identifying or personal information. Click here for more information.
Note: If you tried to apply for SNAP benefits in the past and wasn’t eligible, as of October 2022, the income eligibility increased to 200% from 185% of the federal poverty level. To see if now eligible, visit the Department of Social Services website for current guidelines: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP–Eligibility (ct.gov)
For additional help with locating food resources in your local community on the 2-1-1 website, see below instructions:
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SOURCES: Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS); Access Health
PREPARED BY: 211/tb
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: March2024