Connecticut's independent living centers, which residents say helped them significantly throughout the pandemic, are facing a cut in funding from Gov. Ned Lamont.

Katie Smolinsky works for Access Independence in Stratford, one of just five independent living centers across the state. They're helping clients with hearing loss get vaccinated and even buying food.

"Our center has been purchasing gift cards to Stop & Shop, Shop Rite, Walmart," she says.

But independent living centers are sounding the alarm as Lamont is planning to cut funding by 10%.

"We help to get people out of nursing facilities. And nursing facilities, as I'm sure you all well know, was one of the primary places that many people contracted COVID and died from it," says Independence Northwest executive director Eileen Healy.

Lamont insists independent living centers will get money from President Joe Biden's new American Rescue Plan.

"We've got significant federal resources. We're going to be putting emphasis on not-for-profits like them, and I think they're going to see significant funding over the next two years," he says.

Smolinksy says this is an investment that pays off for everyone.

"Yeah, I think they do rely on our services," she says. "When they don't have anywhere else to go, they come to us."

Independent living agencies say they're a bargain because they save taxpayers millions in Medicaid costs.