CT SB00497

Establishes a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Transitional Benefit Program with $40 million transferred from the Federal Cuts Response Fund to provide at least $194 per month for up to 12 months to vulnerable persons losing SNAP benefits due to federal work requirement changes under P.L. 119-21

Protects veterans from SNAP benefit reductions by requiring the state to provide the same benefit level they received before federal work requirements changed, regardless of whether they can meet the new requirements

Defines "vulnerable persons" eligible for transitional benefits as homeless individuals, adults with autism spectrum disorder, young adults aging out of foster care, caretakers of children ages 14-18, adults ages 55-64, and certain immigrants including trafficking and domestic violence victims

Requires the Commissioner of Social Services to seek a Section 1115 Medicaid waiver by October 1, 2026 for a three-year pilot program providing produce prescriptions and nutritional counseling to Medicaid beneficiaries with chronic health conditions

Mandates annual cost-of-living increases for meals on wheels providers serving the Connecticut home-care program for the elderly, effective July 1, 2026