Connecticut
SNAP benefits continue to be stolen, but reimbursement funding is dried up
People who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP benefits, to put food on the table are looking for help.
Thieves have been stealing those benefits, and the federal funding to reimburse stolen benefits has dried up.
SNAP benefits being stolen through skimming or other means has been a problem for the past few years.
Grace Perry, a resident of New Britian, said she was trying to purchase groceries earlier this week when her Electronic Benefit Transfer, or EBT, card declined unexpectedly after receiving March’s benefits that same day.
“It’s tough, it still is tough,” Perry said. “It’s scary. You’re losing your ability to take care of yourself, you’re losing your independence.”
Perry said she worked with the Connecticut Department of Social Services and learned almost $500 worth of benefits from March, and saved from last month, were stolen at three in the morning and used in Pennsylvania.
“This card has been in my wallet the entire time, I’ve never let another soul use it, ever,” Perry said.
But Perry is not alone in this experience. Since 2023, the Connecticut Department of Social Services said $6,363,297 worth of benefits have been stolen.
“Now, with the price of groceries going even higher, it makes it just exacerbates the problem,” Jason Jakubowski, of Connecticut Foodshare, said.
Jakubowski said people whose benefits are stolen are always welcome to check out any of the 600 food pantries statewide.
“We do our best to be able to make up the difference for a lot of these families. But again, we can only provide a fraction of what SNAP is able to provide,” Jakubowski said.
The state offers these tips for people to try to avoid getting their information stolen:
- Avoid simple PINs.
- Keep your PIN and card number secret.
- Beware of phishing. DSS and EBT will never call or text to ask for your PIN or card number.
- Change your PIN at least once a month, right before your benefits are added to your card.
- Check your EBT account regularly for unauthorized charges.
- Report suspicious activity to DSS.
Perry said she receives reminder texts from the Department of Social Services frequently and changes her pin monthly. She said the advice she’s getting now is to change her pin after every purchase.
“You can’t plan on being stolen from,” Perry said.
The state was able to replace almost $6 million worth of stolen benefits since 2023 thanks to a federal reimbursement program.
The funding for that program ended on Dec. 20. Now, some leaders are calling on the federal government to put more money towards it.
“We want Congress to reconsider/increase funding to the USDA for investigating EBT thefts. And funds to increase the security of the EBT cards to make it harder for criminals to steal, including providing funding for states to transition all EBT cards to EMV, or chip cards,” the Connecticut Department of Social Services said in a statement.
Senator Richard Blumenthal’s (D-Connecticut) office tells NBC Connecticut they will be negotiating the next budget this week, and he’s in on a bipartisan bill that would make SNAP reimbursements permanent.
Connecticut
5 Connecticut towns to receive $2M each for infrastructure upgrades
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Five Connecticut towns will collectively receive $10 million in grants for infrastructure upgrades, according to a Monday announcement by Gov. Ned Lamont.
The Connecticut Department of Housing (DOH) is awarding $10.7 million to Coventry, Guilford, Ledyard, Mansfield and Thomaston to modernize and rehabilitate housing for low- and moderate-income residents, the announcement said.
The funds are being released through the DOH’s Community Development Block Grant’s small cities program, with funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. To be eligible, a municipality must have fewer than 50,000 residents.
Cost Breakdown
Coventry: $2 million
Town of Coventry plans to use funds to upgrade, with a focus on making Orchard Hill Estates compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Guilford: $2 million
The Town of Guilford plans to use funds to design and build future affordable housing projects, consisting of up to 16 rental units and 8 homes.
Ledyard: $2 million
The Town of Canton requested funding for the first phase of affordable housing for people in Ledyard and the surrounding area. Habitat for Humanity of Eastern Connecticut is in the pre-development phase of the Colby Drive and plans to create 38 units.
Mansfield: $2.2 million
Funding will be used for upgrades to Wright’s Village, including roof replacements and sidewalk repairs.
Thomaston: $2.5 million
Funds will be used to make Green Manor ADA-compliant, including the installation of a new emergency call aid system.
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Connecticut
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Connecticut
Florida High School State Bronze Medalist Dajah German Verbals To Connecticut For Fall 2027
Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.
Florida high school state bronze medalist Dajah German has announced her verbal commitment to swim and study at the University of Connecticut beginning in the fall of 2027. She publicized the news on SwimCloud, writing:
I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Connecticut! I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who has supported me throughout this journey, my family, coaches, teammates, and friends who have pushed me to be my best throughout the years. And a very special thank you to Coach Chris and Coach Nicole for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. I’m so excited for what’s ahead. GO HUSKIES!
A rising senior at Fort Lauderdale High School in Florida, German trains year-round with Swim Fort Lauderdale and primarily specializes in the sprint and middle-distance freestyle events.
German has improved each year of her high school career, most recently dropping from 23.78, 51.39, and 1:50.56 in the 50/100/200 free to 23.54, 51.35, and 1:49.69 during the 2025-26 short course season.
German’s top meet of the season was the Florida Senior Championships in March, where she recorded her current PBs in both the 50 and 200 free. She finished second in the 500 free (4:55.94) and 1650 free (17:02.78), third in both the 50 free and 200 free, and fifth in the 100 free (51.43). She set her current 100 free PB at a smaller holiday meet in December. In the 500 free, she clocked a season-best 4:55.21 at the Speedo Cup in January, with her lifetime best of 4:53.19 coming at the 2025 Florida Senior Championships.
German has qualified for the FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) State Championships for the past three years, with her top performance coming at the 2025 iteration in November. She placed third in the 50 free (23.96), fifth in the 500 free (5:01.12), and helped Fort Lauderdale to fourth place in both the 200 free relay (24.64 leadoff) and 400 free relay (53.08 anchor).
Top SCY Times:
- 50 Freestyle: 23.54
- 100 Freestyle: 51.35
- 200 Freestyle: 1:49.69
- 500 Freestyle: 4:53.19
A Division I Mid-Major program, Connecticut competes in the Big East, with the women’s team placing second out of seven teams at this past season’s conference championships. German’s current lifetime bests would have placed third in the 200 free, fourth in the 500 free, eighth in the 50 free, and ninth in the 100 free, setting her up as an immediate contributor with two full seasons of training still ahead before her first conference meet.
German joins Anna Mumford, Lyla Devlin, Lena Brown, and Louisa Holda in committing to the Huskies’ class of 2031 so far.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].
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