Connecticut Health Foundation, Greater Hartford Gives Foundation Collaborate to Inform CT Residents on Federal Medicaid, SNAP Policy Changes

Forty-two organizations from across Connecticut will help their communities understand and navigate changes to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), with funding from the Connecticut Health Foundation and the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation.

An estimated 168,614 people in Connecticut are at risk of losing their Medicaid coverage over the next decade due to changes made by the federal law known as H.R. 1, or the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” The organizations receiving funding are trusted messengers and will play an important role in ensuring people have access to accurate information, helping to minimize coverage losses.

The most significant changes to Medicaid are:

Work reporting requirements: Adults covered by HUSKY D will be required to document at least 80 hours per month of work, school, volunteer service, or other qualifying activities to maintain their coverage unless they qualify for an exception. This change takes effect on Jan. 1, 2027.

More frequent redeterminations: Also beginning on Jan. 1, 2027, HUSKY D enrollees will have to verify their eligibility with the state every six months instead of annually.
Immigrant eligibility: Starting Oct. 1, 2026, certain non-citizens will face new eligibility restrictions. Refugees, asylees, humanitarian parolees and trafficking victims will no longer be eligible for Medicaid.

In addition to messaging about Medicaid, the trusted messengers will share information about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and refer people to appropriate resources as needed.

“The upcoming changes to Medicaid have the potential to leave thousands of Connecticut residents without health coverage, not because they don’t qualify, but because administrative hurdles will make it more confusing, and more difficult for people to maintain coverage,” said Tiffany Donelson, president and CEO of the Connecticut Health Foundation. “One of the most important things we can do is ensure people have the information they need to do what they need to do to stay covered. These organizations are trusted by the communities they serve to deliver that information, and to help individuals take the steps they need to keep their coverage when possible.”

“Greater Hartford Gives is proud to be partnering with the Connecticut Health Foundation to support the trusted messenger initiative to ensure that Greater Hartford residents most impacted by Medicaid and SNAP policy changes receive accurate information and support to maintain health coverage and access to basic needs,” said Greater Hartford Gives President and CEO Jay Williams. “Partnering with local nonprofits, the initiative will provide residents with the guidance they need to maintain or gain health insurance and access to vital health and nutrition to ensure the health and wellbeing of thousands of local residents.”

This grantmaking effort is led by the Connecticut Health Foundation with significant support from the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation.

Forty-two organizations received grants, totaling $567,200. The trusted messenger organizations are: