SNAP Benefits Update, Generation Power CT, and more

October 31, 2025



 

View this email in your browser

Dear Neighbor,

In this week's email, you can find information on the state's announcement of funding for Connecticut Foodshare, learn how you can apply for the Generation Power CT energy assistance program, and find resources to help you and your family during the federal government shutdown. If you have any questions or if my office can be of assistance to you, please reach out to my office at any time. 
 

Governor Announces $3 Million to Help CT Foodshare Support SNAP Recipients

Governor Ned Lamont has announced $3 million in emergency state funding for Connecticut Foodshare, the state’s largest food bank, to assist residents expected to lose access to federal food assistance due to the shutdown of the federal government.

The Trump administration, through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has stated it will not use its $6 billion contingency fund to continue funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the shutdown, nor will it reimburse states that attempt to cover the cost. As a result:

  • No new SNAP benefits will be distributed after November 1.
  • If you have a balance from previous months, it is expected that those carryover benefits already on EBT cards will remain accessible after November 1.
  • DSS is still accepting and processing SNAP applications. If someone is approved for benefits for October, those benefits will appear on their card when the federal government reopens.

This cut in federal aid will affect an estimated 42 million low-income Americans, including about 360,000 Connecticut residents, many of whom are children, seniors, and people with disabilities.

While the $3 million in state aid will not replace the full scope of lost federal benefits, it reflects Connecticut’s commitment to supporting residents facing food insecurity during the shutdown. The Department of Social Services (DSS) and other state agencies are continuing to monitor the situation and consider additional measures to assist affected households.  
 

Generation Power CT Energy Assistance

The Generation Power CT (GPCT) Emergency Energy Assistance Program opens on Sunday, November 2nd, and will run through November 10th! This program provides a one-time grant of up to $500 to help eligible Connecticut households with electric, gas, or fuel expenses 🏠💡
 
Increasing energy costs are a challenge for many in the state, but through this program, GPCT has helped to provide families across Connecticut with secure access to heat, power, and water.
 
All GPCT energy programs are available to income-eligible households making up to 75% SMI gross household income. Each income-eligible household that receives a GPCT Energy Assistance Award will receive up to $500 toward a future fuel delivery or toward a past-due utility bill. For the best chance of approval, and to make full use of this once-per-12-months grant, GPCT strongly encourages households to apply for assistance when you are most in need. GPCT has three remaining Energy Assistance Application Cycles for this winter season:

  • November 2nd-10th, 2025
  • January 2nd-10th, 2026
  • March 2nd-10th, 2026

 
To learn more about eligibility requirements and application materials, go to: https://gpct.org/gethelp/
 

Honoring Those Lost to Substance Abuse & Announcing New Statewide Drug Misuse Prevention Initiative

This Red Ribbon Week, we honor the lives of those lost to substance abuse. Their stories remind us of the critical need for action, awareness, and prevention in our communities. Together, we can work to prevent further tragedies and protect future generations from the dangers of substance misuse.

In line with this commitment, we are excited to announce the launch of the Statewide Drug Misuse Prevention Initiative and the Drug Deactivation Pouch Program, funded through opioid settlement funds. This program aims to provide families with an easy and safe way to dispose of unused medications, a simple yet powerful step in reducing the risk of drug misuse.

Over the next five years, 50,000 drug deactivation pouches will be distributed to families across the state each year, helping to prevent accidental overdoses and keeping harmful substances out of the wrong hands. These pouches contain carbon that neutralizes medications when combined with water, rendering them safe for disposal in your household trash.

Families can request a pouch by visiting https://gppct.org/prevention-starts-with-you/, ensuring that their unused medications are disposed of responsibly.

Let us honor those we have lost by taking action today to protect others from the pain of substance misuse. Together, we can make a difference.
 

As always, please feel free to contact me at 800-842-8267 or by email at Andre.Baker@cga.ct.gov. And for news and legislative updates, please visit my official Facebook page.

Sincerely,

Andre Baker

Facebook
Facebook

Website
Website

Email
Email

Forward to a friend | Unsubscribe from this list | Update subscription preferences