A new federal budget law known as H.R. 1 is bringing major changes to food assistance and health coverage programs across the country. In Connecticut, state officials are reviewing how those changes could affect immigrant families who rely on SNAP food benefits, HUSKY Health, and other support systems.

The Connecticut Department of Social Services recently published an update explaining how the law will reshape eligibility rules for certain noncitizens. The changes will not happen overnight. Instead, they will roll out gradually over the next two years.

For many immigrant households, especially mixed status families in which parents and children may have different immigration classifications, even small policy shifts can have serious consequences. A change in eligibility can affect access to groceries, doctor visits, prescription medications and overall household stability.

Changes to SNAP Food Benefits

SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, is federally funded but administered by states. In Connecticut, the Department of Social Services determines who qualifies and distributes the benefits.

According to DSS, beginning in November 2025, SNAP eligibility will be restricted to fewer immigration categories. The department said eligibility will focus mainly on lawful permanent residents and a limited group of federally recognized classifications.

In its summary of H.R. 1, DSS explained that some groups who previously qualified for SNAP may no longer be eligible under the new federal rules. Those groups could include certain refugees, asylees, trafficking survivors, and humanitarian parolees.

The law also expands work requirements for certain adults receiving SNAP. It raises the age range for adults who must comply with work rules and modifies some exemptions that were previously available.

Adults subject to the requirement must document a specific number of work hours or approved activities each month unless they qualify for an exemption. If documentation is not submitted on time, benefits can be reduced or terminated.

For many families, the greatest risk may be procedural rather than intentional. Missing a notice in the mail, failing to upload documents, or misunderstanding renewal deadlines could result in a sudden loss of benefits. For households already managing tight budgets, even a temporary interruption in SNAP can lead to food insecurity.

Medicaid and HUSKY Coverage Changes

Changes are also coming to HUSKY Health, Connecticut’s Medicaid program. HUSKY provides coverage for children, parents, seniors, and adults with limited income.

Currently, Connecticut uses several pathways to insure children. Under regular HUSKY A and HUSKY B, children who meet income guidelines can qualify for coverage funded jointly by state and federal dollars.

The state has also created State HUSKY A and State HUSKY B for Children. According to DSS, these programs provide state funded coverage for uninsured children ages 0 to 15 whose household income meets guidelines, but who do not qualify for federally matched Medicaid due to immigration status.

In presentation materials explaining H.R. 1, DSS described how federal eligibility rules for noncitizens will narrow beginning October 1, 2026.

Under current federal rules, many classifications of noncitizens can qualify for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program, also known as CHIP. These include lawful permanent residents, certain lawfully residing children and pregnant adults within their first five years of legal status, Cuban and Haitian entrants, refugees, asylees, parolees, trafficking survivors, domestic violence survivors, and some Afghan or Iraqi special immigrants.

Beginning in 2026, federally matched Medicaid and CHIP will be limited primarily to lawful permanent residents, certain lawfully residing children and pregnant adults, Cuban and Haitian entrants and citizens of Compact of Free Association nations.

According to DSS, several humanitarian categories, including refugees, asylees, parolees and trafficking survivors, may no longer qualify for federally matched Medicaid or CHIP based solely on immigration classification.

Policy experts often refer to this type of change as a coverage cliff. A child who is insured today under regular HUSKY could lose federally matched eligibility in 2026 even if the family’s income has not changed. The shift would be based only on immigration status.

H.R. 1 also establishes a Medicaid work requirement beginning January 1, 2027, for certain adults ages 19 through 64. Individuals affected by the rule must complete at least 80 hours per month of work, job training or approved community engagement activities unless they qualify for an exemption.

In addition, some Medicaid categories will move to more frequent eligibility renewals starting December 31, 2026. That means beneficiaries may need to verify income and other information more often. Families who do not respond promptly to renewal notices risk losing coverage.

What Connecticut’s Budget Could Mean for Families 

While H.R. 1 sets federal eligibility standards, Connecticut lawmakers control state budget decisions that can soften or intensify the impact.

If federal rules reduce access to federally matched Medicaid or CHIP, the state could expand state funded options to prevent children from losing coverage. If lawmakers choose not to replace lost federal dollars, some families could face gaps in health insurance.

Governor Ned Lamont has proposed expanding free school breakfast to all K through 12 public school students and eliminating reduced price lunch charges. Because school meal eligibility is based on income rather than parental immigration status, those programs may provide some stability if SNAP eligibility tightens.

However, if families lose SNAP or Medicaid coverage, other systems may feel the strain. Rental assistance programs, community health clinics, and nonprofit food pantries could see increased demand.

The federal law does not change Connecticut’s Earned Income Tax Credit. According to the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services, taxpayers must have valid Social Security numbers to qualify for the state credit. Workers who file taxes using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number generally do not qualify, even if they pay taxes.

State officials are encouraging families to keep their mailing address, phone number, and email information up to date with the Department of Social Services. Responding quickly to renewal notices and requests for documents will be critical in the coming years.

The federal changes tied to H.R. 1 will unfold gradually through 2027. For now, many programs remain unchanged. Connecticut’s state funded coverage for uninsured children ages 0 to 15 continues to operate.

How state leaders respond through future budgets will shape whether immigrant families experience coverage gaps or continued protection.

For official updates and guidance, families can visit the Connecticut Department of Social Services website at portal.ct.gov/dss.

Sources: Connecticut Department of Social Services Federal H.R. 1 updates, the State HUSKY A and B for Children program description, DSS presentation materials on changes for certain noncitizens, the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services Earned Income Tax Credit information and Public Law 119 21, signed July 4, 2025.