Losses Must Be Reported to the Connecticut Department of Social Services by July 14, 2026
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Connecticut who experienced long-duration power outages caused by the severe storm that impacted Connecticut on the evening of Saturday, July 4, 2026, may be eligible to receive supplemental benefits to replace spoiled food that had already been purchased.
Federal regulations enable the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS), the agency that administers the program on behalf of the state, to replace SNAP benefits in situations when a household reports that food purchased with these benefits was destroyed due to events such as fires, floods, or power outages. In the event of power outages, households must have lost power for at least four hours.
“This weekend’s storm left many people without electricity for significant periods, and we want to get the word out that any SNAP recipients who lost food as a result of these outages may be eligible to have their benefits replaced,” Governor Lamont said. “Anyone seeking replacement benefits must contact DSS by the July 14 deadline—please do not wait.”
“Losing power for an extended period is stressful enough without also losing the food your family depends upon,” DSS Commissioner Andrea Barton Reeves said. “We know many SNAP households are still recovering from this weekend’s storm, and DSS wants to make sure no one who lost food to a prolonged outage has to go without because they didn’t know help was available.”
To receive replacement benefits, clients who experienced power outages that lasted at least four hours must report their losses to DSS—either orally or in writing—no later than Tuesday, July 14, 2026. This report to DSS can be done through a phone call, a walk-in visit, a hand-written letter, or through form W-1225/W-1225S. Once an individual reports the loss of food, if not already provided, DSS is required to obtain a signed statement attesting to the household’s loss through form W-1225/W-1225S.
Prior to replacing the destroyed food that was purchased with SNAP benefits, DSS is required to determine that the destruction occurred due to a power outage. This can be verified through a collateral contact outside of the household, a letter from the utility company, or documentation from a community agency, including, but not limited to, the fire department or the Red Cross (only if they assisted the household), or a home visit.
Replacement benefits will be issued in the amount of the loss, up to a maximum of the amount of the household’s monthly benefit. They will be provided to households within ten days after the report of loss or within two working days of receiving the signed household statement required, whichever date is later.