FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Open Doors

We believe everyone deserves the Y — regardless of what they can pay.

Through Open Doors, the Greater Waterbury YMCA offers financial assistance on a sliding scale based on family size and income, made possible by individual and corporate donors and our Annual Community Support Campaign. Because of this support, families gain peace of mind knowing their child is safe in our care, teens build relationships with caring mentors, and neighbors get connected to the social services they need.

WHO'S ELIGIBLE

You must live in our service area

Waterbury, Wolcott, Prospect, Thomaston, Watertown, Woodbury, Middlebury, Southbury, Bethlehem, or Oakville.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

Every application requires proof of household income — most commonly a tax return and recent pay stubs, though a few other document types can meet this requirement depending on your situation. Additional documentation may apply if your household receives other forms of income or assistance.

See the full list below.

Household Income Documentation (required for all applicants) — provide one of the following:

Government-issued ID for all applicants 18 or older
Prior year's tax return (1040 form) + 2–4 current pay stubs
Applies to all employed household members. Weekly pay: provide 4 stubs. Biweekly pay: provide 2 stubs.
Note: A birth certificate is required for any minor dependent living in the household who is not listed on the 1040. Anyone not listed on the tax return will be removed from the application and must apply separately.
Social Security letter
Must be dated within the last six months. Request one by visiting or calling your local Social Security office. If you receive SSI or DSI, no tax return is required.
Cash assistance documentation

Additional Income Documentation — if applicable:

Most recent unemployment verification letter
Child support verification for all minor dependents in the household. If you don't receive child support, provide a letter from the Support Enforcement Agency confirming there's no pending case (11 Scovill Street, Waterbury, CT 06706).
Foster care income
Retirement income
SNAP budget letter (food stamps) for all household members receiving benefits — must be dated within the last six months; please include all pages. Note: SNAP/food stamps alone does not qualify you for assistance.
Cash assistance (DSS) — please include all pages

Documentación de ingresos del hogar (requerida para todos los solicitantes) — proporcione uno de los siguientes:

Identificación oficial para todos los solicitantes de 18 años o más
Declaración de impuestos del año anterior (Formulario 1040) + de 2 a 4 talones de pago actuales
Aplica a todos los miembros del hogar que trabajan. Pago semanal: proporcione 4 talones. Pago quincenal: proporcione 2 talones.
Nota: Se requiere un certificado de nacimiento para cualquier dependiente menor en el hogar que no figure en el Formulario 1040. Cualquier persona que no figure en la declaración de impuestos será eliminada de la solicitud y deberá presentar una solicitud por separado.
Carta del Seguro Social
Debe tener una antigüedad máxima de seis meses. Puede solicitarla en la oficina del Seguro Social o por teléfono. Si recibe SSI o DSI, no se requiere declaración de impuestos.
Documentación de asistencia en efectivo

Documentación adicional de ingresos — si corresponde:

Carta de verificación de desempleo más reciente
Verificación de manutención infantil para todos los menores dependientes en el hogar. Si no recibe manutención infantil, proporcione una carta de la Agencia de Cumplimiento de Manutención confirmando que no hay caso pendiente (11 Scovill Street, Waterbury, CT 06706).
Ingresos por cuidado temporal (foster care)
Ingresos por jubilación
Carta de presupuesto de SNAP (cupones de alimentos) para todos los miembros del hogar que los reciben — debe tener una antigüedad máxima de seis meses; incluya todas las páginas. Nota: Recibir únicamente SNAP/cupones de alimentos no lo califica para recibir asistencia.
Asistencia en efectivo (DSS) — incluya todas las páginas

HOW TO APPLY

Drop off your application in person at our Welcome Center 136 West Main Street, Waterbury, CT 06702, or send your documents by email.

Please redact any sensitive information (such as full Social Security numbers) before submitting.

VIEW APPLICATION

Caseworkers applying on behalf of multiple individuals, please email Zoraida Torres to get started.

EMAIL ZORAIDA

Little girl in pink sweatshirt sitting at a desk coloring with markers

Questions?

Reach out to Zoraida Torres, Child Development and Administrative Assistant — we're happy to help.

EMAIL ZORAIDA

Contact Us

136 West Main Street, Waterbury, CT 06702

203.754.9622

FACILITY Hours

Monday – Friday:
5:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Saturday:
7:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Sunday:
7:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Mission

To provide programs that develop a healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Serving Waterbury, Watertown, Woodbury, Middlebury, Prospect, Thomaston, Southbury, Bethlehem & Wolcott.