Lamont Proposes Millions for Connecticut Food Pantries and Planned Parenthood

Connecticut’s moving fast to soften the blow from recent federal cuts to nutrition and health services. Gov. Ned Lamont just announced over $41 million in new spending for food assistance, reproductive health care, and help for residents dealing with tricky benefit rules.

This funding reaches communities like Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, and Waterbury. It’s part of a bigger push to shield vulnerable people from policy changes coming out of Washington.

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State Taps Emergency Fund to Counter Federal Human Services Cuts

Lawmakers put aside a $500 million emergency reserve to deal with federal human services reductions approved by President Trump and Congress in July. Lamont has tapped nearly $168 million from that reserve, making Connecticut one of the states really stepping up to defend core safety-net programs.

For folks in Stamford, New Britain, Norwalk, and Danbury, the plan means food, health care, and housing support stick around even as federal aid dries up.

Breakdown of the $41 Million Package

Lamont’s latest proposal focuses on three main things: hunger relief, health care access, and emergency housing. Some advocates say the help is welcome, but they worry state dollars can’t match what federal programs used to offer.

Food Pantries Brace for SNAP Reductions

The biggest chunk—$24.6 million over 18 months—goes to food pantries and food banks across Connecticut. The goal here is to soften the impact as up to 36,000 residents lose or risk losing SNAP benefits due to new work rules.

Those most affected include:

Immigrants facing changing eligibility and paperwork rules

Young adults aging out of earlier supports

Veterans using SNAP to supplement low wages or fixed incomes

People experiencing homelessness who struggle with work-reporting requirements

Advocates: State Aid Helps, But SNAP Is Irreplaceable

Anti-hunger advocates in Hartford and New Haven say the extra money will keep shelves stocked and mobile pantries rolling. But they point out that SNAP is still the backbone against hunger, both for benefit size and reliability. Even with new state money, pantries and food banks can’t really replace a federal program like SNAP.

Investing in Navigation: 2-1-1 and DSS Support

Since many families just don’t know where to turn when benefits change, Lamont set aside $4.7 million for the state’s 2‑1‑1 information line and local community action agencies. This cash should help people connect faster with nutrition resources, rental help, and other social services.

There’s also another $1.5 million for the Department of Social Services (DSS) to help residents meet SNAP eligibility rules. That might mean more staff, outreach, and case management to guide folks through work requirements and paperwork before benefits run out.

Local Impact Across Connecticut Communities

Shelters in Bridgeport, community centers in Waterbury, and health clinics in New Britain will all see the effects of 2-1-1 support and DSS assistance. The idea is to cut down on people losing benefits just because they misunderstood or missed a rule.

Health Insurance, Clinics, and a Planned Parenthood Lifeline

Lamont also laid out a bigger plan to keep health coverage stable as federal subsidies shrink and tax credits phase out. He’s proposing almost $120 million through June 2027 to keep coverage in place and help the state’s insurance markets function.

The plan includes support to:

Make up for lost federal subsidies that kept premiums lower

Soften the blow from disappearing tax credits for individuals and families

Help insurers manage higher-than-expected claims

Support for Clinics and Reproductive Health Services

Community health centers will get $5 million in new state support to handle more demand from low-income patients. Federally qualified health centers in places like New Haven, Hartford, and Norwalk have seen more uninsured patients and tougher health needs lately.

Maybe the most debated part of the plan is $10.4 million for Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. That money is supposed to offset frozen federal reimbursements and grants, keeping reproductive health services, cancer screenings, and contraception available. Supporters call it a critical public health investment, but critics say it stretches the emergency fund’s purpose.

Housing and Homelessness: Preserving Supportive Vouchers

Lamont also boosted his earlier homelessness proposal, raising the commitment to $6.9 million. The funds target service providers and help preserve federally funded supportive housing vouchers that are at risk from the same Washington cuts.

In cities like Bridgeport, Danbury, and Waterbury, these vouchers can be the only thing standing between a bed and the street for people dealing with mental illness, addiction, or chronic health problems.

Republican Leaders Question the Scope of Spending

Republican legislative leaders have criticized parts of the package. They argue that some expenditures—especially long-term health insurance subsidies and funding for Planned Parenthood—go beyond what the emergency fund was meant for.

They believe those items should go through the regular budget process. That way, there’d be more scrutiny and a chance for taxpayers to weigh in.

At the Capitol in Hartford, lawmakers are watching the debate unfold. Connecticut seems determined to step in where federal policy is pulling back, hoping targeted state dollars can keep families fed, housed, and insured—even as things keep shifting in Washington.

Here is the source article for this story: Lamont pitches millions for food pantries, Planned Parenthood

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