Last updated: May 20, 2026
Bottom line
If you are a single mother in Connecticut and need health coverage, start with Access Health CT because it screens for HUSKY Health, Covered Connecticut, and regular marketplace plans in one place. HUSKY is Connecticut’s Medicaid and CHIP program. Covered Connecticut can help some adults ages 19 to 64 who are over Medicaid income limits but still have a limited income.
Do not guess that you make too much. Rules depend on household size, pregnancy, your child’s age, disability, immigration-related program rules, and the type of coverage. Apply or call first, then let the official system decide.
Urgent help first
For a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Do not wait for a benefits application to be approved.
For a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988. Connecticut’s crisis services can connect people to support, mobile crisis, or emergency help when needed.
If you need help finding food, shelter, diapers, transportation, or local clinics, call 2-1-1. You can also use our Connecticut emergency help guide while you work on health coverage.
Where to start
If you are uninsured
Apply through Access Health CT or call 1-855-805-4325. Ask the worker to screen you for HUSKY A, HUSKY D, Covered Connecticut, and marketplace help. For a plain national overview, see our Medicaid guide next.
If your child is uninsured
Ask about HUSKY A, HUSKY B, and State HUSKY A/B for children. Connecticut has state-funded coverage for some uninsured children who cannot get regular Medicaid or CHIP because of immigration status.
If you are pregnant
Call right away and say you are pregnant. HUSKY pregnancy and prenatal programs use different rules than regular adult coverage. Also check our CT postpartum guide for follow-up help.
If you have coverage
If you have HUSKY but cannot find a doctor, dentist, ride, or mental health care, call HUSKY Member Services at 1-800-859-9889. Keep notes of each call.
Quick reference table
| Need | Best first step | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Free or low-cost health coverage | Apply at Access Health CT help or call 1-855-805-4325. | Open enrollment does not control HUSKY or Covered CT if you qualify. |
| HUSKY eligibility | Check the state HUSKY qualify page and apply anyway. | Income charts are guidelines. An official decision is still needed. |
| Coverage above Medicaid limits | Ask about the Covered CT program during your application. | You must meet all program rules, not just income. |
| Food and nutrition during pregnancy | Contact Connecticut WIC and ask for an appointment. | WIC checks income and nutrition risk, but Medicaid or SNAP can help with screening. |
| Local clinic care | Use the HRSA clinic finder for nearby health centers. | Ask about sliding fees before the visit if you are uninsured. |
HUSKY Health in Connecticut
HUSKY Health is Connecticut’s public health coverage program. It includes HUSKY A for children, parents, caretaker relatives, and pregnant people; HUSKY B for CHIP; HUSKY C for some older adults and people with disabilities; and HUSKY D for low-income adults without minor children in the home. This article focuses on the parts most often used by single mothers and children.
Connecticut’s official 2026 HUSKY annual income chart says it is effective March 1, 2026. The chart also says an application and eligibility decision are needed to qualify. Use the table below as a starting point, not a promise.
| Program | Who it may help | 2026 annual income guide |
|---|---|---|
| HUSKY A parents/caretakers | Parents or caretaker relatives with a child under 19 at home. | Family of 2 under $29,863; family of 3 under $37,702; family of 4 under $45,540. |
| HUSKY A children | Children through age 18, including State HUSKY A for some children. | Family of 2 under $43,496; family of 3 under $54,913; family of 4 under $66,330. |
| HUSKY A pregnancy | Pregnant people. The unborn child counts in household size. | Family of 2 under $56,913; family of 3 under $71,852; family of 4 under $86,790. |
| HUSKY D adults | Adults 19 to 64 with no Medicare, not pregnant, and no dependent child under 19 at home. | Household of 1 under $22,025; household of 2 under $29,863. |
| HUSKY B Band 1 | CHIP for children above HUSKY A child limits. | Family of 2 over $43,497 to $54,966; family of 3 over $54,913 to $69,393. |
| HUSKY B Band 2 | CHIP for children above Band 1 limits. | Family of 2 over $54,966 to $69,897; family of 3 over $69,393 to $88,244. |
The full state HUSKY income chart has more household sizes and program rows. If your income is close to a line, apply instead of ruling yourself out.
HUSKY can cover doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, dental care, behavioral health, and other covered services. For a broader overview of common coverage paths, our healthcare guide may help you compare options.
Covered Connecticut
Covered Connecticut is not Medicaid. It is a state program connected to Access Health CT. It can provide no-cost health insurance, dental coverage, and non-emergency medical transportation to qualifying Connecticut residents ages 19 to 64.
You may qualify if your income is above the Medicaid limit but up to and including 175% of the federal poverty level, you are eligible for financial help through Access Health CT, you use all available advance premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions, and you enroll in a Silver-level plan. Covered CT eligible residents can apply any time of year.
Tip
When you apply, ask: “Please check me for HUSKY first, then Covered Connecticut, then regular marketplace savings.” This keeps the call focused.
Pregnancy, postpartum, and children’s coverage
If you are pregnant, call Access Health CT and say that clearly at the start. Connecticut has HUSKY pregnancy coverage, prenatal coverage for some non-citizen pregnant people who do not qualify for regular Medicaid because of immigration status, and 12-month postpartum coverage for eligible HUSKY members. The state prenatal coverage page explains the special pregnancy path and phone application option.
Connecticut also has State HUSKY A and State HUSKY B for some uninsured children ages 0 to 15 who cannot enroll in regular Medicaid or CHIP because of immigration status. Coverage can continue through age 18 if the child enrolled before age 16 and remains eligible. The official State HUSKY FAQ explains the age and immigration-related rules.
If you are pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, or caring for a child under 5, WIC may help with food, nutrition support, breastfeeding support, and referrals. Federal WIC income guidelines for July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 list 185% income limits, including $40,034 per year for a household of 2 and $50,542 for a household of 3 in the contiguous states. Check the WIC income guidelines and then contact the local WIC office. Our Connecticut WIC guide also lists next steps.
Dental, rides, and mental health care
Dental care
HUSKY Health and Covered CT dental benefits are handled through the Connecticut Dental Health Partnership. If the online search does not show a dentist near you, call member services because availability changes. Use the official find a dentist page and ask for help booking if needed. Our national dental help guide gives more backup options.
Rides to appointments
Connecticut’s non-emergency medical transportation program helps Medicaid members and Covered CT enrollees get to medical appointments when they do not have another ride. DSS names MTM as the broker. The official DSS NEMT page gives the state overview, and the MTM Connecticut page says to call 1-855-478-7350 at least two business days before the appointment unless the trip is urgent.
Mental health and substance use care
For HUSKY behavioral health questions, the HUSKY member contact page lists the Connecticut Behavioral Health Partnership at 1-877-552-8247. The same HUSKY contact page lists numbers for medical benefits, dental, pharmacy, and DSS. For local help, our CT mental health help guide can help you prepare questions before you call.
Clinics, screenings, and medical bills
Federally funded health centers can be a good starting point if you are uninsured, waiting for HUSKY, or cannot find a primary care provider. They often provide primary care, pregnancy care, pediatrics, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy support. Use the HRSA finder and call the clinic before you go to ask about sliding fees.
For breast and cervical cancer screening, the Connecticut Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program can help eligible people get screening and diagnostic services. The official CBCCEDP page lists services, income information, and local program sites. If a person is diagnosed through a qualifying site and meets the rules, Connecticut also has HUSKY cancer coverage for treatment.
If you already have a hospital bill, call the billing office and ask for the financial assistance policy, charity care, and free bed funds. United Way’s free bed funds explanation says hospitals must give patients information and applications for those funds. You can also ask whether a hospital financial counselor can help you apply for HUSKY or Covered CT.
How to apply and what to gather
For HUSKY A, HUSKY B, HUSKY D, Covered CT, and marketplace plans, apply through Access Health CT online or by phone. For HUSKY C or other DSS programs, you may be sent to DSS or ConneCT. If you also need food, cash, housing, or child care help, see our CT SNAP guide, CT TANF guide, and CT child care help pages.
| Document or information | Why it helps | If you do not have it |
|---|---|---|
| Names and birth dates | Used to list household members. | Apply anyway and ask what proof is accepted. |
| Social Security numbers | Used when available for people applying. | Ask before sending documents for anyone not applying. |
| Proof of Connecticut address | Shows state residency. | Ask about letters, shelter records, or other proof. |
| Income proof | Helps decide HUSKY, Covered CT, and marketplace savings. | Ask if pay stubs, employer letters, or self-employment records work. |
| Pregnancy information | Pregnancy can change household size and program rules. | Tell the worker you are pregnant and ask what is needed. |
| Current insurance cards | Shows whether you already have other coverage. | Give the plan name if you do not have the card. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Do not ignore mail, email, or account notices. Missing a document deadline can delay or close coverage.
- Do not assume a child is ineligible because a parent is ineligible. Children may have different rules.
- Do not wait for open enrollment if you need HUSKY, Covered CT, or have a qualifying life event.
- Do not pay a large hospital bill without first asking for financial assistance, charity care, or free bed funds.
- Do not miss dental or mental health follow-up because you cannot find a provider. Call the plan number and ask for help locating one.
If housing problems are making it hard to keep appointments or documents, our Connecticut housing help guide can help you find a separate starting point.
If you are denied, delayed, ignored, or overwhelmed
First, ask for the decision in writing. A written notice should explain what was denied, why, and what appeal or hearing rights may apply. Do not rely only on what someone says by phone.
Second, call the program that made the decision and ask what document or step is missing. If the problem is a private or marketplace plan denial, Connecticut’s Office of the Healthcare Advocate may be able to help with coverage, billing, and appeals. Use the OHA inquiry form and keep copies of your notices.
Third, ask a clinic, hospital financial counselor, legal aid office, school social worker, or community agency to help you organize the paperwork. Our CT community support guide may help you find local backup.
Phone scripts you can use
Access Health CT application call
“Hi, I am a Connecticut resident and a single parent. I need health coverage for myself and my child. Please screen us for HUSKY A, HUSKY B, Covered Connecticut, and marketplace savings. Can you tell me what documents you need and how to upload them?”
Dental provider call
“Hi, I have HUSKY or Covered CT dental coverage. I need help finding a dentist taking new patients near my ZIP code. If the first option is not taking new patients, can you give me another one?”
Ride request call
“Hi, I need a ride to a covered medical appointment. My appointment is on [date] at [time]. The provider is [name] at [address]. My member ID is [number]. Can I get the trip confirmation number?”
Hospital bill call
“Hi, I cannot afford this bill. I want to apply for your financial assistance policy, charity care, and any free bed funds. Can you send me the application and pause collections while I apply?”
Resumen en español
Si vive en Connecticut y necesita seguro médico, empiece con Access Health CT o llame al 1-855-805-4325. Pida que revisen HUSKY, Covered Connecticut y ayuda para pagar un plan. Si está embarazada, dígalo al principio de la llamada. Si su hijo no tiene seguro, pregunte por HUSKY A, HUSKY B y State HUSKY para niños.
Para una emergencia médica, llame al 911. Para una crisis de salud mental, llame o mande texto al 988. Para comida, vivienda, clínicas y ayuda local, llame al 2-1-1.
FAQ
Can a single mother get Medicaid in Connecticut?
Yes, many single mothers can qualify for HUSKY A if they meet the parent or caretaker rules and income limits. Children may qualify under different HUSKY A or HUSKY B rules even if the parent does not qualify.
Can I apply for HUSKY outside open enrollment?
Yes. HUSKY is not limited to marketplace open enrollment. Covered Connecticut also allows eligible residents to enroll any time during the year.
What if my income is too high for HUSKY?
Ask Access Health CT to check Covered Connecticut and marketplace savings. Covered CT may help some adults ages 19 to 64 who are over Medicaid income limits but meet all other program rules.
Does HUSKY cover dental care?
HUSKY Health and Covered CT dental benefits are handled through the Connecticut Dental Health Partnership. Call 1-855-283-3682 if you need help finding a dentist.
Can HUSKY help with rides?
Yes, non-emergency medical transportation may help eligible Medicaid members and Covered CT enrollees get to covered appointments when they have no other ride. Call MTM at 1-855-478-7350.
Where can I go if I am uninsured right now?
Apply for coverage, and also call a community health center near you. Health centers may offer sliding fees while you are uninsured or waiting for coverage.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified May 20, 2026, next review August 20, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.