Setting Up MyAccount

 

Accessing MyAccount is quick and easy.

 

If you don’t have a Client ID, you can still set up a MyAccount user ID and password.   Follow the steps on the Setting up MyAccount page. When you apply for assistance, you will receive a notice from the Department of Social Services that includes your Client ID.  You simply login with your user ID and password to login.  Once logged in, you will be able to associate your client ID to your user ID by selecting the Case Association link.  You will then be able to view case information.

 

 

Step 1: Your Name and Email Address

 

Enter your legal first and last name.

Enter an email address you have access to and can receive emails (optional).

 

 

Step 2: User ID and Password

 

Create a user ID

User ID can be 5-15 characters long and must meet the following criteria:

Contain letters (upper or lower case) and/or numbers

Cannot contain special characters

Should not contain any part of your first or last name

 

Password

Your password can have a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters

Passwords must be 9-15 characters long and meet the following criteria:

 

 

Re-type your Password

Re-enter your password for confirmation.

 

Step 3: Secret Questions

 

You will also have to select four ‘secret’ questions that only you know the answer to.  This is just in case you forget your password. 

 

Select a secret question          

Use the drop-down list to select a secret question. You will be asked to answer this question in case you forget your password.

 

Enter the answer to your secret question        

Type an answer to your secret question that you will remember.

 

Step 4: Security Image

 

To create your account, you will need to click the checkbox next to ‘I’m not a robot’. If you see a green checkmark, then you are clear to proceed with creating your account.

animated reCAPTCHA checkbox widget

Sometimes reCAPTCHA needs some extra information from you, so it asks you to solve one or more challenges:

CAPTCHA challenge

Simply follow the on-screen instructions to solve the puzzle(s) and then proceed with creating your account.

 

Step 5: User Acceptance Agreement

 

DSS ConneCT system provides information and services via the Internet and may include personal or confidential information that is available to anyone accessing the ConneCT Portal. When access to information or services is restricted to protect your privacy or the privacy of others, you will be asked to provide a  MyAccount User ID and password. Your MyAccount User ID and password verifies your identity so that we can provide you with access to your information and services, while restricting access by unauthorized individuals.

 

To create your account, you will be asked for your name, e-mail address (optional), and your desired account name and password. A secret question and answer will also be required for account recovery purposes. You will need to provide your four digit birth year, last four digits of you Social Security number and your client ID to associate your user ID to your benefits.  You will always have the choice to opt out and not provide the requested information. However, if you do so, you may not be able to complete your transaction over the Internet. You will also have the ability to review, delete or update the information stored in your user profile.

 

 

Protecting your account

 

Your MyAccount User ID and password are your keys to accessing information about your benefits over the Internet. They should be considered as important as your signature. Do not share your MyAccount User ID or password with anyone, including people in your home. You are the only person who will know your password. It will be secured and unavailable to anyone, including DSS staff, except you. It is your obligation to protect it by keeping it confidential and known only to you.

 

Customer Information collected and how it is used

 

The customer information that is collected for user access to the MyAccount application is limited to what is required to provide secure delivery of the application.

 

Information about users of MyAccount Web applications may include the following:

Identifying information, such as name, date of birth and identification numbers that are used to verify an individual's identity when they request a MyAccount User ID to access ConneCT Web applications.

 

Personal Information and Choice

 

Personal information is information about an individual that is readily identifiable to that specific individual. Personal information includes identifiers such as an individual's name, address and telephone number. A domain name or Internet Protocol (IP) address is not considered personal information. We do not collect any personal information about you, unless you voluntarily participate in an activity that asks for the information.

 

A user profile will not be created for you unless you create a MyAccount User ID and password. Individuals who have created a MyAccount User ID and password may ask to have their profile removed from the system. Individuals who do not request a MyAccount User ID and password, or request to have their profile removed, will not be denied services but may not be able to access those services by the Internet.

 

Public Disclosure

Much of the information that is collected by the Connecticut Department of Social Services is confidential and is managed accordingly. DSS has taken appropriate steps to safeguard the integrity of this information and to prevent access by unauthorized persons.

 

The Connecticut General Statutes (CGS § 53a-250 – 53a-261) exists to ensure that government is open and that the public has access to appropriate records and information that are in the possession of the State government. At the same time, there are exceptions to this law that serve various needs, including the privacy of individuals. Certain information that the State manages is confidential. This includes identity and security data that is used to control access to information and to protect the privacy of individuals and organizations that receive services from, or are regulated by, the State. The State will make every effort to secure this information and to protect the privacy of individuals who have personally identifiable information stored in their user profile.

 

The State may collect user profile information and usage to determine trends and to facilitate sound decisions regarding system design and future application deployments. However, the State will not sell the information managed in your user profile, in either a specific or a generalized format.

 

Access and Correction of Personal Information

Individuals will be allowed to view personal information relating to their user profile. Passwords will be secured and will be stored in an encrypted format.

 

Use of Cookies

A cookie is a small amount of data, which may include an anonymous unique identifier, that is sent to your browser from a Web site's computers and may either be used during your session (session cookie) or may be stored on your computer's hard drive (persistent cookie). Cookies may contain data about a user's movements during their visit to the Web site. If your browser software is set to allow cookies, a Web site can send its own cookie to you. A Web site that has set a cookie can only access those cookies it has sent to you, it cannot access cookies sent to you by other sites.

 

When you request a MyAccount User ID and password, and when you use your MyAccount User ID to access DSS services over the Internet, a session cookie will be sent to your browser and stored in your computer's memory. The cookie will be used to maintain session information, so that you do not have to re-enter your MyAccount User ID and password when you navigate different pages and/or services. Your privacy is best protected if you close your browser after you are done using applications that use session cookies.

 

Click Create Account to save information and create an account.

 

Click Cancel to return to the ConneCT Customer Portal.