Are You Disabled and Have Had Problems with the Call Center
Run by the CT Department of Social Services (DSS)?
The phone is often the only accessible way for people with disabilities to get help to get on or stay on their benefits. When it is hard to reach a live worker, it can shut out individuals with disabilities who need to communicate this way.
When people can’t reach DSS, they may lose access to important services like Medicaid, SNAP, or State Supplement (cash assistance for older adults or people who are blind or disabled). This can lead to real harm: not getting medical care, not having enough food, trouble paying for housing, and isolation.
Recently, in response to very long waits to reach a worker at the understaffed DSS call center, the agency programmed the system to just hang up on anyone who waits more than 10 minutes (which is usually the case) and does not “voluntarily” accept a call back at a later time as the way to speak to a worker.
People’s access to health benefits and basic services should not depend on how long they can wait on hold or their ability to accept a call-back hours or days later, when they may be working or involved in caregiving activities and be unable to answer the phone.
If you believe in dignity, fairness, and inclusion – join us. Demand accessible, reliable, and timely call-center support.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Please reach out to DRCT’s Litigation Attorney, Sheldon Toubman, and share your personal stories about long wait times, hang-ups, long-delayed return calls and any other issues with DSS’s Call Center, at Sheldon.Toubman@DisRightsCT.org or 475-345-3169.
THANK YOU!
