SAGA - STATE ADMINISTERED GENERAL ASSISTANCE

SAGA (State Administered General Assistance) is administered by the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS). SAGA provides cash to individuals who are unable to work for medical or other prescribed reasons, and to families that do not meet the blood relationship requirements of the Temporary Family Assistance (TFA) program.

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

• Categorical Eligibility: Individuals must qualify as Unemployable, Short-Term Transitional or Long-Term Transitional.
• 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: under age 16; over age 65; over age 55 and no work history in the previous 5 years; full-time high school student; needed in the home to care for an incapacitated spouse or child; needed in the home to care for a child under age 2; or, pending receipt of a state or federal means-tested program, e.g., State Supplement or TFA.
• Short-Term Transitional: Individuals classified as Short-Term Transitional must have medical documentation of inability to work for 2 – 6 months. Individuals must also have a recent work history in order to qualify under this category (earned at least $500 in each of 3 of the last 5 calendar quarters, or eligible to collect Unemployment Compensation during the previous six months).
• Long-Term Transitional: Individuals classified as Long-Term Transitiional must have medical documentation of inability to work for six months or more. Work history is not required, however, all cases are referred to DSS disability examiners for a review of unemployability.
• Income Rules: Adjusted income (gross minus certain exclusions and deductions) may not exceed $53 or $212 per month, depending upon the individual's Unemployable or Transitional status.
• 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. Any amount over $4,500 is counted towards the asset limit. Real property is subject to a lien or security mortgage.
• Citizenship: Applicants must be citizens or qualified aliens.
• Third Party Benefits: Applicants and recipients must pursue all third party benefits (including SSI TFA) in order to qualify.
• Substance Abuse: Active substance abuser (drug and/or alcohol) are required to participate in treatment.

SAGA Cash Benefit Levels: Unemployables - up to $212 per month. Short-Term and Long-Term Transitionals - up to $212 per month if applicant has a rental obligation or $53 if living rent free.

APPLICATION
Apply for SAGA at regional DSS offices. An application form can be downloaded from the DSS website, http://www.ct.gov/dss/lib/dss/PDFs/w-1f.pdf. Mail in applications are accepted, but for cash assistance, a face-to-face interview by appointment is required. Determinations for SAGA cash are made within 10 days.

TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT'S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:
Search by service name: General Assistance/SAGA

SOURCE: Connecticut Department of Social Services, http://www.ct.gov/dss/cwp/view.asp?a=2353&q=305152#saga
PREPARED BY: 211/rj
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: June2012