Connecticut had distributed 1,425 state-funded grocery cards worth $427,500 by October 1, according to figures the Connecticut Department of Social Services supplied to CT Mirror.

The October 2 report describes a rollout moving substantially more slowly than the roughly 25,000-recipient program's original scale. DSS told the newspaper that fuller recipient contact information reached distribution agencies only at the beginning of September, after officials considered federal privacy rules governing the transfer.

The department said it would intensify outreach and evaluate improvements to distribution. Those statements and the reported card totals are attributed to DSS through CT Mirror, rather than an independent audit of recipient records.

Virtual cards, rather than EBT balances

The state announced the funding in June and the start of distribution on August 4. The new development is the reported delivery result and delay, rather than another program launch.

Official program materials describe a one-time $300 prepaid virtual grocery card. It operates like a prepaid Mastercard or Visa at food retailers accepting standard credit cards and is intended for SNAP-eligible food purchases. It is not a top-up to an existing EBT card, the state's

Connecticut had distributed 1,425 state-funded grocery cards worth $427,500 by October 1, according to figures the Connecticut Department of Social Services supplied to CT Mirror. The October 2 report describes a rollout moving substantially more slowly than the roughly 25,000-recipient program's original scale. DSS told the newspaper that fuller recipient contact information reached distribution agencies only at the beginning of September, after officials considered federal privacy rules governing the transfer. The department said it would intensify outreach and evaluate improvements to distribution. Those statements and the reported card totals are attributed to DSS through CT Mirror, rather than an independent audit of recipient records. Virtual cards, rather than EBT balances The state announced the funding in June and the start of distribution on August 4. The new development is the reported delivery result and delay, rather than another program launch. Official program materials describe a one-time $300 prepaid virtual grocery card. It operates like a prepaid Mastercard or Visa at food retailers accepting standard credit cards and is intended for SNAP-eligible food purchases. It is not a top-up to an existing EBT card, the state's

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