The Prison Policy Initiative submits testimony in favor of SB497 to remove probation-related barriers to SNAP benefits in Connecticut

SB 497 would change Connecticut law to allow people on probation to access Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits even if they have a probation violation.

by Sarah Staudt, March 17, 2026

On March 17, 2026, the Prison Policy Initiative submitted written testimony in the Connecticut Legislature in support of SB 497, “An Act Protecting Food Security for Veterans and Others and Mitigating Federal Cuts to Nutritional Assistance”. In particular, our testimony focused on improving a section of Connecticut law that denies Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to people who have probation violations.

This bill removes the requirement that someone be “satisfactorily” serving a sentence of probation in order to receive nutrition assistance. It also requires that SNAP application forms to remove references to probation violations, so that people are not deterred from applying for benefits because they are afraid their probation status will exclude them.

If you are a criminal legal system reform advocate or legislator who would like to talk to our Advocacy department about providing testimony for a bill, please reach out to us using our contact form.