Lamont Seeks $19 Million from Emergency Reserve to Fund Social Services

Governor submits plan to legislative leaders to tap state's emergency fund amid federal funding cuts.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 1:23pm

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Governor Ned Lamont has announced plans to use almost $19 million in funding from Connecticut's Emergency State Response Reserve. This supplemental plan, submitted to bipartisan leaders of the state legislature, was created in response to federal funding cuts and would direct the money to programs like SNAP, Medicaid, and youth mental health services in schools.

Why it matters

The Emergency State Response Reserve was created in 2025 to help Connecticut weather potential federal funding gaps for critical health and human services programs. This withdrawal represents the second time Lamont has tapped into the reserve, underscoring the ongoing challenges the state faces due to reduced federal support for social safety net initiatives.

The details

Lamont's plan would use $18.7 million from the $500 million Emergency State Response Reserve to help fill funding gaps for programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, and youth mental health services in schools. The reserve was created in anticipation of federal funding cuts, and in December 2025, Lamont was approved to withdraw $167.9 million from the fund.

  • The Emergency State Response Reserve was created in November 2025.
  • In December 2025, Lamont was approved to withdraw $167.9 million from the reserve.
  • Lamont has now submitted a plan to withdraw an additional $18.7 million from the reserve.

The players

Ned Lamont

The Governor of Connecticut who has submitted a plan to withdraw $19 million from the state's Emergency State Response Reserve to fund social services programs.

Connecticut General Assembly

The bipartisan legislative leaders of the Connecticut state legislature who must approve Lamont's plan to withdraw funds from the Emergency State Response Reserve.

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What they’re saying

“Recent funding gaps on the federal level are continuing to cause nationwide challenges for health and human services programs, and here in Connecticut we will stand behind those who depend on these services and do what we can to ensure that this most basic assistance remains available.”

— Ned Lamont, Governor

What’s next

The bipartisan legislative leaders of the Connecticut General Assembly will review and decide whether to approve Lamont's plan to withdraw an additional $18.7 million from the state's Emergency State Response Reserve.

The takeaway

This withdrawal from Connecticut's emergency reserve fund underscores the ongoing strain on state budgets due to reduced federal support for critical social services programs. It remains to be seen whether the state legislature will approve Lamont's request, but the governor's actions highlight the difficult decisions states may face in the coming years as they work to maintain a social safety net in the face of federal funding cuts.