Financial assistance for low-income, older, and disabled homeowners and renters
23 programs listed · 18 verified against the program's own website
Connecticut delivers most of this help through two channels: 2-1-1 (United Way of Connecticut), which is the practical front door for energy assistance, weatherization, and aging-and-disability referrals, and the local town assessor, who handles every property tax program. For Medicare and benefits counseling, the statewide CHOICES line is 1-800-994-9422. For any current-year income limit, confirm the exact figure with the specific program, since the state and utilities adjust them annually.
Everything below, in one file you can print or take to an appointment.
Home modification and aging in place
Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE)
state
Who it is for
Owners or renters (renter needs landlord permission for any modification)
Type of help
service
Who runs it
Connecticut Dept. of Social Services (DSS), Community Options Unit
What you get
In-home long-term care services including care management, personal care attendant, homemaker, chore, adult day health, meals, and assistive technology; minor home modifications can be authorized in a care plan
Who qualifies
65+
Income limit
Two tracks: a state-funded track for higher-income applicants (with cost sharing) and a Medicaid-waiver track using Medicaid long-term care financial limits (2026 Medicaid income cap about $2,901/mo; asset limits apply)
How to apply
Call DSS / the CHCPE toll-free line or apply through your Area Agency on Aging; access point My Place CT and 2-1-1
If you share your home:
this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.
Connecticut Dept. of Aging and Disability Services (ADS); NEAT Center at Oak Hill partner
What you get
Free device demonstrations, short-term device loans (several weeks), refurbished/reused equipment at reduced cost, and a low-interest AT financial loan program to purchase devices; Bridging the Digital Divide serves older adults
Who qualifies
any (Bridging the Digital Divide targets older adults)
Income limit
none for demos/device loans/reuse; the AT financial loan is credit-based
How to apply
Contact the CT Tech Act Project through cttechact.com or ADS
Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation (CDBG Small Cities Program)
stateHomeowners
Type of help
loan
Who runs it
Connecticut Dept. of Housing (DOH) administers the Small Cities CDBG program; delivered by participating municipalities
What you get
Typically 0% interest deferred loans up to about $30,000 per single-family home for repairs, roofing, energy efficiency, accessibility, mold, lead abatement, and utility-system work; lien with no monthly payments, repaid on sale or refinance (amounts set by each town)
Who qualifies
any
Income limit
Low- and moderate-income owner-occupants (HUD area median income limits; thresholds set by the local program)
How to apply
Apply through your town/city housing rehabilitation office; DOH does not fund individuals directly
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
We could not open this program's own website to
check these details, so they may be out of date or incomplete. Please call
or visit the program before relying on anything here.
Type of help
loan and grant
Who runs it
USDA Rural Development (Connecticut area offices: Windsor and Norwich)
What you get
Loan up to $40,000 at 1% fixed for 20 years; grant up to $10,000 (age 62+); combined up to $50,000 ($55,000 in declared disaster areas)
Who qualifies
any for the loan; 62+ for the grant
Income limit
Very-low income (county-specific USDA limits, 2026)
How to apply
Email RD.SNE.DirectHousing@usda.gov or call the Windsor office (860-902-5382) or Norwich office (860-887-3604 x4); confirm the property is in an eligible rural area at eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Connecticut Dept. of Housing (DOH); testing reimbursement via Capitol Region Council of Governments; claims via Connecticut Foundation Solutions Indemnity Company (CFSIC)
What you get
State testing reimbursement: core testing 50% up to $2,000, visual inspection 100% up to $400. CFSIC has paid foundation-replacement claims for eligible owners (subject to available funding)
Who qualifies
any
Income limit
none (based on foundation damage, not income)
How to apply
Contact the DOH Crumbling Foundations homeowner advocate; for claims, register with CFSIC (crumblingfoundations.org)
If you share your home:
this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.
Connecticut has no standalone home-oil weatherization program. Instead, oil, kerosene, and propane (deliverable-fuel) homes are served directly by the standard Weatherization Assistance Program and by the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program's deliverable-fuel benefit.
Utility bill assistance and discounts
Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP / LIHEAP)
federal-in-state
Who it is for
Owners or renters (renters with heat included may qualify for a lower benefit)
Type of help
grant
Who runs it
Connecticut Dept. of Social Services (DSS), through local Community Action Agencies
What you get
Basic heating benefit $295 to $645 for the 2025-2026 season (by household size, income, and heating source), plus crisis/emergency and deliverable-fuel benefits
Who qualifies
any
Income limit
At or below 60% of state median income (2025-2026: about $47,764 for 1 person, $91,854 for 4), or automatic if receiving SNAP/SSI/TANF/other DSS benefits
How to apply
Apply through your local Community Action Agency; call 2-1-1 to find your agency
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Permanent monthly bill discount of 5%, 15%, 20%, 40%, or 50%, tiered by household income or benefit level (applies to about the first 1,200 kWh for heating customers, 800 kWh for non-heating)
Who qualifies
any
Income limit
Tiered by household size and income (2025-2026 example, family of 4: 5% up to $91,854; 15% up to $67,837; 20% up to $51,440; 40% up to $40,188; 50% up to $32,150), or by receipt of DSS benefits
How to apply
Enroll via documentation through a Community Action Agency, online, mail, or fax; if DSS certifies a qualifying benefit, enrollment renews automatically. Phone 800-286-2828
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
United Illuminating (UI) Low Income Discount Rate (LIDR)
utilityNot confirmed
We could not open this program's own website to
check these details, so they may be out of date or incomplete. Please call
or visit the program before relying on anything here.
Who it is for
Owners or renters (the account holder)
Type of help
discount
Who runs it
United Illuminating (Avangrid)
What you get
Through Aug 2, 2026: 10% (Tier 1) or 50% (Tier 2) discount on monthly charges. Effective Aug 3, 2026: five tiers of 5%, 15%, 20%, 40%, or 50%
Who qualifies
any
Income limit
Income-based by household size (single-person example: Tier 1 up to $47,764, Tier 2 up to $25,040), or by receipt of SNAP/TANF/Medicaid/HUSKY/SSI/energy assistance
How to apply
Submit income/benefit documentation by email (hardship@uinet.com), fax (866-260-1009), or mail; re-verified yearly
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
We could not open this program's own website to
check these details, so they may be out of date or incomplete. Please call
or visit the program before relying on anything here.
Type of help
grant
Who runs it
Operation Fuel, Inc. (nonprofit), via partner fuel-bank agencies
What you get
One-time energy grant of up to $500 toward any energy source (oil, electric, gas, propane, kerosene, wood, pellets)
Who qualifies
any (serves elderly, disabled, working families, and those in crisis)
Income limit
Household income at or below 75% of state median income
How to apply
Apply through a partner agency (fuel bank); use the Fuel Bank Finder or call 2-1-1
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Connecticut Office of Policy and Management (OPM); applied for at the municipal assessor or social services office
What you get
Cash rebate up to $900 for married couples and up to $700 for single persons, on a graduated income scale using rent and utility payments made (state-funded)
Who qualifies
65+ (or surviving spouse 50+); or 18+ and receiving Social Security Disability
Income limit
2025 program year (2024 income): about $46,300 single / $56,500 married (OPM adjusts annually; same schedule as the circuit breaker)
How to apply
File with your town's assessor or social services office between April 1 and September 30 (no extensions); rebates paid by November 30
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Veterans property tax exemptions (basic, disabled, and income-qualified additional)
stateHomeowners
Type of help
exemption
Who runs it
Local assessor's office (state-mandated under CGS 12-81 / 12-81f / 12-81g); state-reimbursed
What you get
Basic wartime exemption (assessed value, town base often $1,500-$3,000); larger amounts for disabled veterans by VA rating; a state additional exemption that doubles the basic amount for income-qualified veterans; and a full dwelling (plus up to 2 acres) exemption for veterans with a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability (effective Oct 1, 2024)
Who qualifies
any
Income limit
None for the basic and standard disabled-veteran exemptions; the state additional (income-qualified) exemption uses 2025 limits of about $46,300 single / $56,500 married; towns may adopt a higher local additional exemption
How to apply
File the DD-214 with the town clerk and apply at the assessor's office; the income-qualified additional exemption filing period is February 1 to October 1
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Local option tax relief, freeze, and deferral for older adults and people with disabilities (municipal)
county-cityHomeowners
Type of help
credit, exemption, freeze, or deferral (varies by town)
Who runs it
Individual municipalities (authorized by CGS 12-129n, 12-170v tax freeze, and local deferral ordinances)
What you get
Varies widely by town: additional credits/abatements, a tax freeze that caps the tax at a base-year amount, and in some towns a deferral (lien repaid later, sometimes with interest)
Who qualifies
usually 65+ (or disabled); set locally
Income limit
Set by each municipality (often higher than the state circuit-breaker limit)
How to apply
Contact your town assessor to ask which local programs exist and their income limits and deadlines
If you share your home:
this program does not clearly say how it treats another adult in the home. Confirm with the program before anyone moves in.
Connecticut has no state-run homeowners insurance premium assistance or discount program. Premium savings come from private-insurer discounts (age 55+/retiree, security/monitoring, bundling, loyalty) and from the CT Insurance Department's rate-comparison resources.
HomeShare-relevant extras
Accessory dwelling unit (ADU) / accessory apartment law (Public Act 21-29)
stateHomeownersNot confirmed
We could not open this program's own website to
check these details, so they may be out of date or incomplete. Please call
or visit the program before relying on anything here.
Type of help
service
Who runs it
Local planning and zoning departments (state framework under PA 21-29); technical support via CT Dept. of Housing / OPM
What you get
State law establishing a framework for accessory dwelling units in residential zones (with a municipal opt-out); supports adding an in-law/accessory unit or sharing a home
Who qualifies
any
Income limit
none
How to apply
Contact your town planning and zoning department to confirm local ADU rules and whether the town opted out
We could not open this program's own website to
check these details, so they may be out of date or incomplete. Please call
or visit the program before relying on anything here.
Type of help
service
Who runs it
HomeShare Connecticut (host program); National Shared Housing Resource Center (directory)
What you get
Matching of home providers (often older homeowners) with home seekers (often renters), with screening and support
Who qualifies
any (providers often 60+)
Income limit
none
How to apply
Contact HomeShare Connecticut; the National Shared Housing Resource Center directory lists shared-housing programs
Renter-side supports (Renters' Rebate, energy assistance, weatherization)
stateRenters
Type of help
rebate, grant, service
Who runs it
OPM (Renters' Rebate); DSS/DEEP and Community Action Agencies (energy)
What you get
Elderly/disabled renters may receive the Renters' Rebate (up to $900 married / $700 single); renters may also receive CEAP energy assistance and weatherization (with landlord permission)
Who qualifies
varies (Renters' Rebate 65+ or disabled; energy programs any age)
Income limit
Renters' Rebate ~$46,300 single / $56,500 married (2025); CEAP/WAP at 60% of state median income
How to apply
Renters' Rebate at the town assessor/social services (April 1 to Sept 30); energy assistance via Community Action Agencies (call 2-1-1)
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Some of the biggest sources of help are federal and work much the same everywhere, including USDA Section 504 home repair, LIHEAP energy assistance, the Weatherization Assistance Program, and VA housing grants. They are described once, in detail, on our federal programs page, and the entries above give you the Connecticut contacts.
One more option
Sharing your home is not on this list, but it belongs beside it.
Every program here helps you afford the home you have. Home sharing does something different: it turns a spare room into steady income and company. It is worth considering before you sell, before you move, and before things get harder to manage alone.