Last updated: June 20, 2026
Bottom line
If you are a single mother, single parent, pregnant mother, caregiver, or low-income family in Connecticut and need health coverage, start with Access Health CT. It is Connecticut’s official health insurance marketplace and can screen you for HUSKY Health, Covered Connecticut, and marketplace plans in one place.
HUSKY Health 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 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.
This article is general information only. It is not medical, legal, tax, immigration, disability, or benefits advice. For medical symptoms or an emergency, call your doctor, clinic, 911, or go to the nearest emergency room.
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 page explains crisis support and mobile crisis options. If you need help finding food, shelter, diapers, transportation, or local clinics, call 2-1-1 or use 211 Connecticut. You can also use our Connecticut emergency help guide while you work on coverage.
Where to start
If you are uninsured
Apply through Access Health CT or call 1-855-805-4325. Ask to be screened for HUSKY A, HUSKY B, HUSKY D, Covered Connecticut, and marketplace savings. For a plain national overview, see our Medicaid guide.
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. Our CT postpartum guide has follow-up help.
If you have HUSKY
If you cannot find a doctor, dentist, ride, or mental health care, call HUSKY Member Services at 1-800-859-9889. Keep notes of each call and ask for a case or reference number.
Quick reference
| Need | Best first step | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Free or low-cost coverage | Use Access Health help or call 1-855-805-4325. | HUSKY and Covered CT are not limited to the regular marketplace open enrollment if you qualify. |
| HUSKY eligibility | Check the HUSKY qualify page and apply. | Income charts are guides. An official decision is still needed. |
| Above Medicaid limits | Ask about the Covered CT program. | You must meet all rules, not just the income rule. |
| Pregnancy or baby care | Say you are pregnant or postpartum when applying. | Pregnancy can change household size and coverage options. |
| Clinic care now | Use the health center finder. | Ask about sliding fees before the visit if 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 guide focuses on the parts many single mothers and children use.
Connecticut’s official 2026 HUSKY annual income chart is effective March 1, 2026. The chart says an application and eligibility decision are needed to qualify. Use this table as a starting point, not a promise.
| Program | Who it may help | 2026 annual income guide |
|---|---|---|
| HUSKY A parents | 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 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 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.
The Access Health CT Covered CT page lists 2026 income guidelines up to 175% of the federal poverty level. It also says you can complete an application online or call 1-855-805-4325 for free enrollment and eligibility help.
| Household size | 2026 income up to | Program note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $27,387.50 | Must be ineligible for HUSKY/Medicaid. |
| 2 | $37,012.50 | Must meet all Covered CT rules. |
| 3 | $46,637.50 | Must enroll through Access Health CT. |
| 4 | $56,262.50 | Must use available financial help. |
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
If you are pregnant, call Access Health CT and say that at the start. Connecticut has HUSKY pregnancy coverage, HUSKY B Prenatal 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.
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 coverage rules.
If you are pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, chestfeeding, or caring for a child under 5, WIC may help with food, nutrition support, breastfeeding support, and referrals. Connecticut WIC says offices are open with phone, video, online, and in-person appointment options. Start with Connecticut WIC and check the current WIC income chart. Our Connecticut WIC guide can help you prepare questions.
Dental, rides, and mental health care
Dental care
HUSKY Health and Covered CT dental benefits are handled through the Connecticut Dental Health Partnership. Use the official find a dentist page. If the online search does not show a dentist near you, call 1-855-CT-DENTAL (1-855-283-3682) and ask for help finding a provider.
Rides to appointments
Connecticut’s non-emergency medical transportation program helps eligible members get to covered medical appointments when they do not have another ride. DSS names MTM as the current broker. The DSS NEMT page gives the state overview, and MTM Connecticut says non-urgent trips should be scheduled at least two business days before the appointment unless the trip is urgent.
Mental health care
For HUSKY behavioral health questions, the HUSKY contact page lists the Connecticut Behavioral Health Partnership at 1-877-552-8247. For crisis help, call or text 988. For local support, our CT mental health 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 health center 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 page explains that these funds may help patients who cannot pay all or part of a hospital stay. 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 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. |
| Connecticut address | Shows state residency. | Ask about letters, shelter records, or other proof. |
| Income proof | Helps decide HUSKY, Covered CT, and savings. | Ask if pay stubs, letters, or self-employment records work. |
| Pregnancy information | 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. |
For a fuller paperwork list, use our documents checklist.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Do not ignore mail, email, portal messages, or renewal 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, ride, 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. Our denied benefits guide can help you track notices and deadlines.
Phone scripts you can use
Access Health CT
“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?”
Finding a dentist
“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
“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
“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 regular marketplace open enrollment. Covered Connecticut can also be available outside regular open enrollment for people who meet the program rules.
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.
What should I do if coverage is denied?
Ask for the denial in writing, read the deadline, and ask what proof is missing. For private or marketplace plan problems, contact the Office of the Healthcare Advocate.
Can my child qualify if I do not?
Possibly. Children have different HUSKY rules, and Connecticut has State HUSKY options for some uninsured children who cannot get regular Medicaid or CHIP because of immigration status.
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 June 20, 2026, next review September 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.