HARTFORD — Connecticut residents are increasingly turning to state government for help in meeting the basic needs of food, medical care and financial support, as the economic downturn continues, according to a report released by the Department of Social Services.

Nine key social services programs showed total enrollment of nearly 924,000 in November 2009 – up 18 percent in just one year, Commissioner Michael P. Starkowski said  in the release today.

While individuals are counted more than once if receiving multiple services, such as medical and food aid, the numbers still represent a “tremendous increase in safety net services for the public and a corresponding increase in casework,” Starkowski said.

Enrollment has increased significantly in Food Stamps, the HUSKY health care program for children and eligible parents and in State-Administered General Assistance, which helps single, unemployable people.

Individual program growth highlights include:

• Over 295,600 Connecticut residents receiving federally-funded Food Stamp benefits in November 2009, up 32 percent in one year.

• Over 445,700 individuals receiving Medicaid coverage in November 2009, up 7 percent in one year.  Medicaid accounts for over $4 billion of the over $5 billion annual social services appropriation.

• For the first time in several years, more families with dependent children (including grandparents caring for grandchildren) eligible for Temporary Family Assistance, generally known as family cash welfare.  Connecticut’s TFA caseload plummeted from about 57,000 families in 1995 to under 18,500 in November 2008, but has since risen to 19,689.

To track caseload growth, DSS listed client participation across nine selected entitlement programs – Temporary Family Assistance; Medicaid (including HUSKY Part A); state-funded medical assistance; CT AIDS Drug Assistance Program; State-Administered General Assistance (SAGA) cash assistance; SAGA medical assistance; Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps); and the Charter Oak Health Plan.

The enrollment numbers showed one-year increases ranging from 5.3 percent in State-Administered General Assistance cash aid to 42 percent in the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program, which helps low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities afford the cost of Medicare premiums, the report said.

CT Department of Social Services Entitlement caseload growth:

November 2004 to November 2009, points in time

HARTFORD — Responding to the increased number of residents seeking assistance during the recession, Gov. M. Jodi Rell announced yesterday that will boost montly benefits for those who qualify for Food Stamp aid.

The federal stimulus funding is expected to help more than 230,000 Connecticut residents who need help stretching their household budgets.

As of April 1, the new federal aid means an average increase of $38 in benefits per enrolled household in Food Stamps — a long-time program now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Governor noted that applications and enrollments are up sharply, as more Connecticut residents seek help from the federally-funded food assistance program in these difficult economic times.

“These funds will be a tremendous help to Connecticut families and will help serve important needs,” Rell said. “In just over a year, we have seen an increase of more than 14,000 households joining the program which clearly indicates the impact of the recession on our families and single adults.”

“The national downturn has affected many families who never before have needed to seek assistance,” Rell said. “The increased benefits will help many families who, through no fault of their own, are struggling to make ends meet.”

Nearly 125,000 households were eligible this February, compared to just over 110,000 in January 2008.  This is an increase of more than 1,000 households a month, according to the release.

More specifically, 124,769 households in Connecticut were eligible for SNAP in February (230,350 individuals, including 90,343 who are children.)

A family of four at the lowest income levels will now be eligible for a maximum of $668 per month, up from $588 before the stimulus dollars kicked in.  Across the program, state officials estimate that the average benefit increase will be $38.  Specific benefit amounts are geared to income and household size.

In her 2010-2011 budget recommendation, Rell has increased the income-eligibility limit from 130% to 185% of the federal poverty level so that more Connecticut families can qualify.  For a family of four, the current income limit per month is $2,297. Under Rell’s recommendation, a family of four could earn up to $3,268 and still qualify for food assistance benefits.

A household’s specific benefit is based on the household’s income and certain allowable deductions for shelter, dependent care expenses, medical costs and child support payments to others outside the household.

Households that qualify for the program receive an electronic benefit transfer card, similar to debit cards – not stamps or coupons – to use at food markets.

For more information, or to apply for benefits, please visit www.ct.gov/SNAP, or contact a local office of the Connecticut Department of Social Services.