Free SNAP Screening Scheduled In Southbury

SOUTHBURY — Free social service screenings to help any Connecticut resident facing difficult times will continue to take place each month during 2011 at the Jewish Federation, 444 Main Street North. The next screenings, by reservation only, are scheduled from 10 am to 3 pm on Thursday, February 24.

The Federation’s Brownstein Jewish Family Service has teamed up with the Connecticut Association for Human Services (CAHS) to continue offering these free monthly social service screenings for a dozen work support/basic needs programs, including SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps), energy assistance, HUSKY, Medicaid, and Charter Oak insurance.

“More than 40 people called about our January screening, and many of them were eligible for SNAP and other programs,” said JFS Director Debby Horowitz. “And in the fall, we found dozens of others who were eligible for SNAP, ranging from toddlers to a centenarian. We’ve been helping people from all the different towns around here who are falling through the cracks and really having a tough time making ends meet. We’re seeing unemployed single people, families where one or both parents have recently lost their jobs and health insurance, and seniors from Heritage Village, too. If anyone wants to call, we can give them the income guidelines over the phone for SNAP.”

A family of two with a gross monthly income of $2,246 could be eligible for SNAP, which uses a debit, or EBT card, to make grocery purchases. The gross monthly income for a single person is $1,671. Applicants can own a home or a car and its value is not counted as an asset, and they can also have a bank account.

Reservations are required for the 30-minute screening, which is given by Nera Clemente of the Connecticut Association for Human Services. To RSVP, call Debby Horowitz at 203-267-3177, extension 105. All calls are confidential.