SAGA CASH AND SAGA MEDICAL

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION: SAGA (State-Administered General Assistance) is administered by the Connecticut State Dept. of Social Services http://www.ct.gov/dss/cwp/view.asp?a=2353&q=305152#saga.

SAGA CASH

SAGA provides cash to eligible individuals and families in Connecticut who do not have enough money to meet their basic needs and are deemed unemployable or unable to work for medical reasons.

ELIGIBILITY In order to qualify for SAGA cash benefits, individuals must meet the following requirements.

• Categorical Eligibility: Individuals must qualify as Unemployable, Short-Term Transitional or Long-Term Transitional.
• Unemployable: Determined by the Department’s disability examiners to have a physical and/or mental impairment (or combination or impairments) that will prevent employment for six months or more. Individuals may also qualify as unemployable for the specific documentable non-medical reasons (see DSS website).
• Short-Term Transitional: Medical documentation of inability to work for 2 – 6 months. The individual must have a recent work history in order to qualify under this category (earned at least $500 in each of 3 of the last 5 calendar quarters, or was eligible to collect Unemployment Compensation during the previous six months).
• Long-Term Transitional: Medical documentation of inability to work for six months or more. Work history is not required, however, all cases are referred to the Department’s disability examiners for a review of unemployability.
• Income Rules: Adjusted income (gross minus certain exclusions and deductions) may not exceed $52 or $206 per month, depending upon the individual's Unemployable or Transitional status.
• Asset Rules: The asset limit is $250 per person, or up to $1,000 for a family of four or more. Car value of $4500 is not counted towards asset limit. Real property is subject to a lien or security mortgage.
• Citizenship: Applicants must be citizens or qualified aliens.

SAGA CASH BENEFIT LEVELS: Unemployables - up to $206 per month. Short-Term and Long-Term Transitionals - up to $206 per month if applicant has a rental obligation or $52 if living rent-free.

SAGA MEDICAL

The SAGA program provides medical assistance to low-income persons who do not qualify, or who are awaiting an eligibility determination, for other state or federal programs. There are no categorical program requirements. Eligibility is based on income and assets only. The income limit for an individual ranges from $491.92 ($653.51 for couples) monthly to $593.45 ($756.47 for couples), depending on what region of the state he or she lives in; and the asset limit is $1,000 per assistance unit (household). SAGA medical is not automatically linked to SAGA cash.

Medical Care - SAGA medical assistance clients receive medical care through a managed care system. Community Health Network of Connecticut (CHNCT) is the managed care company for SAGA Medical. Each client must have a primary care provider (PCP) and obtains referrals to specialists from their PCP. A list of participating doctors is posted on the CHNCT website, http://www.chnct.org/.

Behavioral Health Care - Advanced Behavioral Health (ABH) manages mental health and substance abuse treatment services. Individuals who need mental health and substance abuse services and are eligible for SAGA Medical benefits must find their own behavioral health provider. Community clinics, hospitals, and mental health authorities usually accept SAGA Medical. Individuals must apply to ABH through their provider. Benefits are provided in the form of vouchers or direct payment to providers; never in the form of cash.

Prescriptions - Prescriptions are processed through DSS. Participants are issued a "Connect" card which they present to their pharmacist to cover prescriptions.

Dental Care - Benecare is the managed care company for SAGA Medical's dental care.

Vision Care - One routine eye exam and one pair of glasses per year is covered under SAGA Medical. Block Vision manages the eye exams and eyeglasses referrals. Non-routine eye care is provided trhough referrals from the client's PCP.

APPLICATION
Apply for SAGA at regional DSS offices. Mail in applications are accepted, but for cash assistance, a face-to-face interview by appointment is required. Determinations for SAGA cash are made within 10 days; Determinations for SAGA Medical may take up to 45 days, but medical emergencies can be processed in 4 days.

DOWNLOAD AN ELECTRONIC APPLICATION: http://www.ct.gov/dss/lib/dss/PDFs/w-1f.pdf

TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT'S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:
Search by service name: General Assistance/SAGA

SOURCE:  CT Dept. of Social Services
PREPARED BY: 211/rj
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: May2008