Senior benefits in Hartford County, Connecticut

Every town in Hartford County is served by the North Central Area Agency on Aging (NCAAA) in Hartford. NCAAA offers free CHOICES Medicare counseling, information and help finding aging services, help for family caregivers, and veterans assistance. Its caregiver respite program uses one application for two programs: the National Family Caregiver Support Program and the CT Statewide Respite Care Program for people with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. Call 860-724-6443 or toll free 800-994-9422, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office is at 151 New Park Ave in Hartford.

Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year

The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) helps households with lower incomes pay home heating costs. CEAP is paid for by the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) block grant and run by the Department of Social Services (DSS) through local Community Action Agencies. In Hartford County, the agency depends on your town. Community Renewal Team (CRT) serves Avon, Bloomfield, Canton, East Granby, East Hartford, East Windsor, Enfield, Glastonbury, Granby, Hartford, Manchester, Marlborough, Newington, Rocky Hill, Simsbury, South Windsor, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor and Windsor Locks; call 860-560-5800 for an appointment at 395 Wethersfield Avenue in Hartford or another CRT site. The Human Resources Agency of New Britain (HRA) serves Bristol, Burlington, Farmington, New Britain and Plainville (860-356-2000). New Opportunities, Inc. serves Berlin, Hartland and Southington (Meriden office 203-235-0278). For Suffield, the DSS list names ACCESS Community Action Agency (860-450-7400), and CRT also lists Suffield among the towns it serves. Apply online through the DSS Client Online portal, or call your local agency to apply by phone, by email, by mail or in person. CEAP is accepting applications until May 31, 2027.

Estimated bill savings: $355–$705 a year

The Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) handles applications for programs such as SNAP food help and HUSKY Health (Medicaid). DSS resource centers in Hartford County are the Greater Hartford Resource Center (20 Meadow Road, Windsor), Manchester (699 East Middle Turnpike) and New Britain (30 Christian Lane). At a resource center you can have an eligibility interview, pick up or fill out applications and forms, get general information, and pick up mail, EBT cards and income verifications. Resource centers are open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To make an appointment for an in-person interview, call the DSS Benefits Center at 1-855-626-6632 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). You can also apply for benefits, renew and upload documents any time online at www.connect.ct.gov. Documents can be left in the outside drop-boxes or mailed to the DSS Scanning Center, PO Box 1320, Manchester, CT 06045.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Hartford Hospital in Hartford is part of Hartford HealthCare. The same policy covers other Hartford HealthCare hospitals, such as The Hospital of Central Connecticut. Hartford HealthCare offers discounts and grants to help pay hospital bills for patients who qualify. Under its financial assistance policy (updated January 1, 2026), if family income is at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level, the patient may get a 100% discount on the bill. If family income is between 250% and 550% of the Federal Poverty Level, the discount may be 15% to 75%. Patients may also qualify for Free Bed Funds (860-696-6010), and payment plans are available. Hartford HealthCare can also check whether you qualify for Medicaid or other programs. To apply, ask for an application at the registration desk, from a social worker, your provider or the patient accounting office, and send it with the needed documents. For a 30-day hold on your bill while you apply, call 877-442-2455. A decision comes within 15 business days.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

In this county: Hartford HealthCare decides eligibility under its own policy; income is verified, and some providers and services are not covered.

People 65 and older, and people with a qualifying disability, can ride for a reduced fare at any time on CTtransit and the other state-funded bus systems. Show your Medicare card to the driver when you board; local bus systems must accept it for a half fare. You can also apply for a CTDOT Reduced Fare Transit Photo ID card. Senior reduced fares also apply to one-way Hartford Line train tickets. The Greater Hartford Transit District provides ADA paratransit seven days a week during the same hours the regular bus runs. Towns served include Bloomfield, Bristol, East Hartford, Farmington, Glastonbury, Hartford, Kensington, Manchester, New Britain, Newington, Plainville, Rocky Hill, South Windsor, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor and Windsor Locks. For ADA ride reservations call 860-724-5340; for information call 860-247-5329. ADA paratransit is for people whose disability keeps them from using the regular bus; you must be found eligible first through the statewide Connecticut ADA paratransit application.

Estimated service value: $50–$1,500 a year