SAGA BASIC NEEDS PROGRAM

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION: Dept. of Mental Health and Addiction Services http://www.ct.gov/dmhas/cwp/view.asp?a=2900&q=334750

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The Basic Needs Program is a program for adults who have SAGA medical assistance benefits but no cash assistance, and who are in treatment for mental illness and/or substance abuse. Benefits are not an entitlement, but rather for on-going, limited supports based on individual need. Participants will receive referrals to community-based organizations as well as assistance with clothing, food (if the individual is not receiving SNAP/food stamps), housing or shelter, limited transportation, and other services to promote employment. Benefits are issued in the form of vouchers or direct payment to vendors; never in cash.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: SAGA Medical recipients who are not receiving SAGA cash and who are in treatment for substance abuse and/or mental illness and who are in need of recovery supports that cannot be met by other community resources.

HOW TO APPLY: Clients initiate Basic Needs Program request in collaboration with their treatment provider. Treatment providers document engagement in treatment and verify SAGA status. Advanced Behavioral Health (ABH) will evaluate requests and issue authorizations or deny requests. Urgent requests for assistance are met or denied within one business day; non-urgent requests are met within five business days.

TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT'S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:
Search by program name: Basic Needs

------------------------------------

SOURCE: CT Dept. of Mental Health and Addiction Services
PREPARED BY: 211/rj
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: April2008