How To

Online:

 • Current DSS clients can visit www.connect.ct.gov to set up online accounts (called ‘MyAccount’) and get benefit information and report changes in income, household size or other factors without visiting or calling their local DSS office (please see Highlighted section below).  Please remember to update MyAccount with your client ID number, when received; look for the ‘Associate Case’ section of your MyAccount to do this.

 •  Clients and the general public can visit www.connect.ct.gov to apply online for services.  If you are a new applicant, you will be asked to open a MyAccount to process your online application.  Once eligible for services, please update MyAccount with your client ID number, when received; look for the ‘Associate Case’ section of your MyAccount to do this.

 • Clients and the general public can also visit www.connect.ct.gov to check on food, cash and medical service eligibility through a handy pre-screening tool (called ‘Am I Eligible?’).

 • The ConneCT online portal is also available on the main DSS webpage at www.ct.gov/dss.

Online ‘change’ reporting is here!

DSS clients are now able to report changes and upload supporting verifications/documents through their MyAccount (online client benefits account)! This is especially helpful for clients in reporting income changes, household member changes, and other eligibility-related information and documentation.

By Phone:

DSS now has a single, statewide toll-free number for client access.  To reach our Client Information Line & Benefits Center:

 • Call 1-855-6-CONNECT (1-855-626-6632)

 (TTD/TTY 1-800-842-4524 for persons with speech or hearing difficulties)

 • Follow the prompts to get the information you need

Our new automated ‘interactive voice response’ telephone system will help DSS clients get the information you need without waiting to speak to an eligibility worker.  You will also have the option of speaking to a worker, if you choose, during business hours.
 
Please use this new, toll-free service instead of the local DSS numbers you have been using.  This Client Information Line service is available 24/7.  You can also connect directly to a worker in our Benefits Center by following the phone menu prompts, Monday through Friday, between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.  The Benefits Center is staffed with workers dedicated to answering your questions, processing change requests and providing you with information about other resources.

In Person:

• DSS services are available at 12 field offices.  For list, please visit Department of Social Services Field Offices Page.

Please follow this link Opens in a new window for an open letter to DSS beneficiaries, providers and advocates.

Reporting Changes

Changes which may affect your program eligibility must be reported to the Department of Social Services within 10 days.  You can report changes online, by phone, or in person at DSS offices.  For examples of changes to report, please scroll down.  Thank you!

Online ‘change’ reporting is here for DSS clients!

We’re pleased to introduce online change reporting for DSS clients!  Save time and get 24/7 access to DSS.  Now, you can report changes and upload supporting verifications/documents through your MyAccount (online client benefits account).  This is a great customer service feature for clients who are able to go online!

You can report changes in income, household size, and other eligibility-related information (please scroll down to see list of changes to report).

Follow this link to view an instructional video about reporting changes online Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Opens in a new window, or see the instructions below.

How to report changes online:

• If you already have opened a MyAccount and have associated your client ID number with it, just go to www.ct.gov/dss/myaccountlogin to access your account.  Then look for the ‘Report Change’ link at the top of the page.
• If you already have opened a MyAccount and have NOT YET associated your client ID number with it, go to www.ct.gov/dss/myaccountlogin to access your account.  Then look for the ‘Associate Case’ instructions.  Don’t worry, it’s easy to link your client ID number with your MyAccount in this way.  After you associate your client ID number with your case, the ‘Report Change’ link will be available at the top of the page.  If you do not yet have a client ID number, you can update MyAccount later to associate it with your case.
• If have not already opened a MyAccount, it’s easy to set one up – just go to www.connect.ct.gov and click on 'Create an Account' in the MyAccount box.  Please link your client ID number with your MyAccount at the ‘Associate Case’ area.  If you do not yet have a client ID number, you can update MyAccount later to associate it with your case.

Thank you for using our new online change reporting feature.  We hope you will find it convenient and helpful!

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To report changes, you may call the DSS Client Information Line and Benefits Center at 1-855-6-CONNECT (or 1-855-626-6632).

Be sure to have your client ID number handy.

Examples of changes you should report are:

Changes in income

You start employment

You change employers

You end employment

You start to receive unemployment compensation

Your unemployment compensation ends

You start to receive social security

You start to receive child support payments

Any other changes in income over $100.00 per month

Changes in living arrangements

Someone moves into your household

Someone moves out of your household

You move

You get married

You get divorced

You become pregnant

You give birth

You enter a drug treatment program, rehabilitational facility or hospital for over 30 days

Other changes

You receive an inheritance

You receive a lawsuit settlement

You open or close a bank account

You buy or register a motor vehicle

You enroll in school, change schools, quit or graduate