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SAGA – State Administered General Assistance

SAGA (State Administered General Assistance) is administered by the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS). SAGA Cash Assistance program provides cash assistance to individuals who are unable to work for medical or other prescribed reasons.

Eligibility: In order to qualify for SAGA cash benefits, individuals must meet the following requirements.

• Unemployable: Individuals classified as Unemployable are determined by DSS disability examiners to have a physical and/or mental impairment that will prevent employment for six months or more. Individuals may also qualify as unemployable for the following documentable non-medical reasons: over age 65; over age 55 and limited work history; needed in the home to care for an incapacitated spouse or child; needed in the home to care for a child under age 2. Those unable to work for a short-term period also need to have a recent connection to the labor force to qualify.
• Income Rules: There are also limits on the amount of “applied income” that can be received and still be eligible. Applied income is the amount of the gross income that remains after deducting certain costs. The monthly applied income must be less than the maximum SAGA benefit available to the individual.
• Asset Rules: The asset limit is $250 per person, or up to $1,000 for a family of four or more. DSS does not count the equity of an automobile as long as it is no more than $4,500. There is no asset test for individuals aged 18-21 who are unmarried, living with a family that still receives cash Temporary Family Assistance (TFA), and no longer receive TFA because of their age.
• Citizenship: Applicants must be citizens or qualified aliens. Rules are identical to the TFA program.
• Third Party Benefits: Applicants and recipients must pursue all third party benefits (including SSI TFA) in order to qualify.
• Substance Abuse: Individuals qualifying for SAGA who also have documented substance abuse issues must participate in substance abuse treatment to remain eligible for SAGA benefits.

SAGA Cash Benefit Levels: Unemployables – up to $219 per month. Short-Term and Long-Term Transitional – up to $219 per month if applicant has a rental obligation or $55 if living rent free.

How do people apply for SAGA cash assistance?

Online—The fastest and easiest way to apply is online. Visit https://portal.ct.gov/DSS and click on the “Apply Now”button. You can also use the “Am I Eligible?” feature to find out if you qualify for SAGA cash benefits

In Person—Visit any DSS Service Center to complete an application. Office locations can be found at https://portal.ct.gov/DSS/About-the-Department-of-Social-Services/Contact , or you can call 2‐1‐1 to be referred to your nearest DSS office.

By Mail—To request an application, call the DSS Client Information Line and Benefits Center at 1‐855‐CONNECT (1‐855‐626‐6632); TTD/TTY 1‐800‐842‐4524 for persons who are deaf and hard of hearing. You can also print an application to complete by visiting https://portal.ct.gov/DSS/Search-Results?SearchKeyword=saga

MyDSS–the new DSS mobile-friendly app–access an account anywhere, anytime, on any device (www.ct.gov/mydss).

TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT’S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:
Search by service name: General Relief

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SOURCE: Connecticut Department of Social Services
PREPARED BY: 211/mb
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: June2023