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---
description: Newly reported DSS figures put distribution at $427,500 by October 1, after recipient-data transfers slowed a program intended for about 25,000 people.
title: Connecticut grocery-card rollout reaches 1,425 recipients amid data delays
image: https://giftcard.news/images/social/v1/connecticut-grocery-card-rollout-reaches-1-425-recipients-amid-data-delays-793f864bf14313b81b4ff84a7e7f3642.jpg
---

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# Connecticut grocery-card rollout reaches 1,425 recipients amid data delays

Newly reported DSS figures put distribution at $427,500 by October 1, after recipient-data transfers slowed a program intended for about 25,000 people.

By [Emma Carter](https://giftcard.news/author/emma-carter/) October 2, 2026 2 min read [ Google News ](https://google.com/preferences/source?q=giftcard.news&utm%5Fsource=giftcard.news&utm%5Fcampaign=giftcard.news) 

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![Connecticut grocery-card program announcement at Community Renewal Team with state and Community Action representatives](https://giftcard.news/images/variants/v1/connecticut-grocery-card-rollout-reaches-1-425-recipients-amid-data-delays-program-w1280.webp) 

 State and Community Action representatives at the original Connecticut grocery-card program announcement. CAFCA’s photograph provides program context, rather than an image of the October distribution delay. Photo: Connecticut Association for Community Action (CAFCA) 

Connecticut had distributed 1,425 state-funded grocery cards worth $427,500 by October 1, according to figures the [Connecticut Department of Social Services](https://giftcard.news/organization/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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## In this article

### Organizations

* [Connecticut Department of Social Services](https://giftcard.news/organization/connecticut-department-of-social-services/)

### Sources and documents

* [October 2 original report of DSS written responses and distribution results](https://ctmirror.org/2026/10/02/lamonts-plan-to-send-gift-cards-to-former-snap-recipients-stalls/?utm%5Fsource=giftcard.news&utm%5Fcampaign=giftcard.news) — CT Mirror
* [August 4 official virtual prepaid grocery-card distribution terms](https://portal.ct.gov/governor/news/press-releases/2026/08-2026/governor-lamont-announces-distribution-of-state-funded-food-assistance?language=en%5FUS&utm%5Fsource=giftcard.news&utm%5Fcampaign=giftcard.news) — Office of Governor Ned Lamont
* [June 3 original program funding and administration allocation](https://portal.ct.gov/governor/news/press-releases/2026/06-2026/governor-lamont-announces-funding-for-snap-benefits?utm%5Fsource=giftcard.news&utm%5Fcampaign=giftcard.news) — Office of Governor Ned Lamont
* [June 3 signed funding letter and programme allocation](https://portal.ct.gov/governor/-/media/office-of-the-governor/news/2026/20260603-federal-cuts-response-fund-letter-to-leadership.pdf?hash=83277638E5B14BDEDC99B6DF122A6BDA&rev=e30847f625cb4272b0fbff968bf2e8e3&utm%5Fsource=giftcard.news&utm%5Fcampaign=giftcard.news) — Connecticut Office of Policy and Management

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![Portrait of Emma Carter](https://giftcard.news/images/variants/v1/emma-carter-editorial-portrait-w320.webp) 

About the author

## [Emma Carter](https://giftcard.news/author/emma-carter/)

Journalist — Retail & E-commerce

Emma Carter covers retail, e-commerce and the gift card shopping experience for Gift Card News.

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