**DSS Greater Hartford Field Office is now available, for pick-up and drop-off applications/forms; filling out applications/forms on-site; general information; questions & answer; and picking up of EBT cards & income verifications. Lobby hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 20 Meadow Rd., Windsor.  Please note:  no in-person assistance such as interviewing and eligibility determination available yet, due to pandemic safety guidelines.  Visitors, please wear masks and observe safe social distancing.

 

**DSS New Haven Field Office will be available beginning Tuesday, August 11, for above services — Lobby hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. — 50 Humphrey Street, New Haven.  Visitors, please wear masks and observe safe social distancing.

 

**At all DSS Field Offices — applications and drop-boxes are available.  For office locations, please visit www.ct.gov/dss/fieldoffices.

 

**Response time at our telephone Benefits Center (1-855-6-CONNECT) is affected by power outages from Tropical Storm Isaias, related to computer access by staff. Thank you for your patience.

 

**24/7 access:  Customers can access benefit and application information, 24/7, at www.connect.ct.gov and www.ct.gov/dss/apply; or 1-855-6-CONNECT. Full information on ways to contact DSS online, by phone, by mail, and at office dropboxes is at www.ct.gov/dss/fieldoffices. Information and updates about child support is available at www.ct.gov/dss/childsupport. Please also visit www.ct.gov/coronavirus for latest State of Connecticut updates; and www.ct.gov/dss/covid for DSS-specific updates. Thank you.

Refugee Assistance Program

Overview

**  Important Announcement  **

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) benefits are being extended if your immigration status was granted on or after April 1, 2019.  You may also be eligible for retroactive benefits.  If you received RCA in the past, and meet the qualifying immigration status requirement, you will soon be receiving a Special Mailing Notice from DSS.  If you choose to reapply for RCA following the instructions in the notice, DSS will determine whether you are eligible for reinstatement of this benefit.

 

The Office of Community Services of the Department of Social Services (DSS) is responsible for disbursing federal funds related to the resettlement of refugees in Connecticut.  Refugees are assigned by the U.S. State Department to local affiliates of national voluntary resettlement agencies in Connecticut.  DSS disburses federal refugee assistance program funds, administers refugee cash and medical assistance programs and monitors resettlement activity for individuals who qualify as refugees under international law.  A refugee can request to become a legal permanent resident after one-year residence in the U.S. and can apply for U.S. citizenship five years after their date of entry to the U.S.
 
DSS regional offices administer the Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) and Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) programs for refugees for up to eight months from their date of entry to the U.S.  DSS also provides refugees with temporary family assistance/cash assistance, medical coverage and food stamp assistance under those public assistance programs since refugees qualify as legal non-citizens.
 
The State contracts with the following agencies to provide resettlement services including case management, employment assistance, and additional supportive services to refugees:
 
The following are the total number of new refugee arrivals to Connecticut for the corresponding federal fiscal years (October 1 through September 30):

FFY 2009  351 FFY 2012  436  FFY 2015  819 FFY 2018   156
FFY 2010  507 FFY 2013  548 FFY 2016  837 FFY 2019   142
FFY 2011  447 FFY 2014  545 FFY 2017   452