**Connecticut Sets Aside $500 Million to Protect Federal Human Service Programs Amid Uncertainty**
Gov. Ned Lamont announced Monday that Connecticut will reserve $500 million in state funds to safeguard imperiled federal human service programs, reaffirming his commitment to preserving November SNAP benefits for Connecticut families. However, questions remain about how broadly the funds will be deployed—whether to cover just services threatened by the ongoing federal government shutdown, or also to offset permanent federal cuts enacted last July.
Among those affected by the federal cuts are about 36,000 Connecticut residents who may lose their SNAP benefits between Dec. 1 and March 31 due to new work requirements imposed by Congress and President Donald Trump.
> “We’re here to announce a Federal Emergency Relief Fund,” Lamont said at a Monday morning press conference. He emphasized the $500 million would bolster programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), food assistance, heating and energy grants, and other vital human services.
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> “I’m really pleased that we’re able to come to this position and give citizens of Connecticut some confidence and comfort. We’re there. We’ve got your back.”
**Broad Legislative Support and Swift Action Expected**
Legislative leaders joined Lamont at the announcement, expressing strong bipartisan support for the emergency reserve fund. House Speaker Matt Ritter (D-Hartford) predicted the fund would pass easily when the legislature convenes in special session Wednesday and Thursday. He praised House Minority Leader Vincent J. Candelora (R-North Branford) for backing continued SNAP benefits for around 360,000 Connecticut residents.
> “In Connecticut, you have a culture where people of all parties said, ‘Enough is enough,’” Ritter remarked.
Lawmakers plan to vote this week to create a prioritized list of federally funded programs—including nutrition, health care, and energy assistance—that Lamont could support using the new reserve fund. Other parts of last year’s historic $2.5 billion surplus will be directed toward pension debt, the rainy day fund, and long-term childcare enhancements.
Under proposed legislation, only the governor can recommend expenditures from the response fund, but a panel of six top lawmakers (four Democrats, two Republicans) could block allocations by majority vote. The fund will expire when the 2026 regular legislative session starts on February 4; unused money will be applied to pension debt.
**Shutdown Uncertainty Complicates Response**
State officials are cautiously optimistic the federal shutdown will end soon, noting an apparent breakthrough late last week when the Trump administration announced immediate resumption of food assistance funding. However, a subsequent Supreme Court order paused further payments, and the federal government instructed states not to provide full SNAP benefits for November—a directive Connecticut declined to follow. Lamont said the state would cover November’s $72 million SNAP cost if necessary, drawing from the new emergency fund.
Democratic U.S. Senators on Sunday signaled movement toward a temporary federal budget, possibly paving the way for votes this week, according to The New York Times. Congressional Democrats had resisted any deal that cut health insurance subsidies, a move projected to cost Connecticut residents $340 million annually.
> “I’m very hopeful that the feds are going to come up with a solution that doesn’t penalize our people,” Lamont said. “But I can’t make any predictions about the federal government.”
**Extending State Aid Beyond the Shutdown**
If the shutdown ends soon, most of the emergency fund would remain untapped. Even if Connecticut is penalized for supporting SNAP with state money, the monthly program cost is only one-seventh of the reserve. The state is also advancing funds for WIC and winter energy assistance, both expected to be reimbursed by Washington.
Planning for the emergency fund began in June, ahead of the shutdown, as lawmakers anticipated fallout from federal budget standoffs and the July package of federal program cuts, particularly stricter SNAP work requirements. These changes will impact around 36,000 vulnerable residents, including immigrants, young adults, veterans, and those experiencing homelessness, who will lose SNAP coverage regardless of the shutdown’s resolution.
> “As of right now, Connecticut is well-positioned to make sure that these hardships are just going to be dealt with,” said Senate President Pro Tem Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven).
Lamont’s Friday commitment to restore SNAP benefits was met with criticism from both parties who felt the move should have come sooner.
Asked whether he will use the emergency fund to help those impacted by the permanent July federal cuts, Lamont said, “I think it’s something we’re looking at,” adding that he’s exploring additional support for families losing health insurance premium subsidies.
**Republican Concerns Over Scope of State Intervention**
Republican leaders back using the surplus to ease temporary pain from federal shutdowns but caution against permanently replacing federal funding with state dollars. They argue that any expanded spending should be offset by cuts elsewhere in the state budget.
> “Obviously there’s a leap of faith here,” said House Minority Leader Vincent J. Candelora (R-North Branford). “We are putting $500 million into the hands of the governor to mitigate this crisis, and we need to make sure that he is doing just that.”
Candelora criticized Lamont’s use of state funds for SNAP before the legislature formally created the fund, stating, “Unless the governor thinks he’s filed paperwork to run for king of Connecticut, that’s not possible.” Lamont defended the urgent action, noting the immediate need in communities across the state.
While Candelora remains supportive of the emergency fund for shutdown-related needs, he cautioned that rapid federal resolution could lead more Republicans to oppose the fund’s continuation.
> “I helped craft this plan, and so I support it. But I will just say, if the federal government reopens, I certainly can understand why Republicans will say this fund is no longer necessary.”
**Stay tuned for updates as the legislature prepares to act and Connecticut officials respond to changing federal policy.**
https://ctmirror.org/2025/11/10/ct-plans-500m-in-relief-for-federal-programs-but-questions-remain/
