Benefits & Resources in Vermont

Below is a list of benefits & resources available in Vermont. If you are interested in any of these benefits, you will need to meet eligibility requirements. Some of these have deadlines for application (e.g., fuel assistance). If you have questions about these services, please contact the administering agency.

I am a Vermonter: website with information and resources for people of color moving to Vermont
Vermont Public Radio (VPR) article “Why Is Vermont So Overwhelmingly White?”
Peace & Justice Center (Burlington, VT): The Peace & Justice Center is a Vermont-based non-profit, membership organization. Its mission is to create a just and peaceful world. To this end, the Peace & Justice Center works on the interconnected issues of economic and racial justice, peace, and human rights through education, advocacy, training, nonviolent activism and community organizing.
Invest EAP: This is a free resource that will be made available to you when you begin service. Invest EAP has BIPOC specific resources relating to mental health, self-care, race-related stressors, and more. They also provide free, confidential short-term counseling to all members.

VT Child Care Subsidy is a payment that assists eligible Vermont families with the cost of child care. The subsidy is available to parents who meet eligibility criteria to help cover the fee for eligible child care. The child care subsidy is paid directly to the child care provider.
AmeriCorps members may be eligible to receive help with the cost of their child care through the State of Vermont.

VT Community Action Agencies
There are five community action agencies in Vermont. Community Action agencies are nonprofit, private, and public organizations that were established under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 to fight America’s War on Poverty. They are designed to assist people in getting the support they need to achieve self-sufficiency. To find out about services in your community, contact the office near you. One of their resources is free tax preparation for low and middle-income individuals.

NOFA VT Community Food Access
- Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA-VT) offers programs to help low-income Vermonters participate in local food systems. Its Farm Share Program subsidizes part of the cost of a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) share.
- The Cash Crop program is a coupon incentive program that doubles the value of SNAP/3Squares at participating Vermont farmer’s markets. Anyone who receives 3SquaresVT/SNAP can access this coupon! All you need to do is show your EBT card to the market manager, note the amount of EBT you'd like to use, and you'll get double that.
- Applications for a reduced CSA will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and will close on August 31st or when funds run out.

Consumer Assistance Program: 1-800-649-2424
The Attorney General’s Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) helps Vermont consumers resolve disputes with businesses, protect themselves from fraud, and access available services. CAP operates a consumer hotline, mediates consumer disputes with businesses, and refers consumers to other agencies as appropriate.

VT Dept. Health Coronavirus Page: Get information about vaccines, testing, and preventing the spread of COVID-19.
VT Public Radio Daily Coronavirus Updates: Read the latest news and numbers in Vermont relating to COVID-19.
CDC COVID-19 Integrated County View: See community transmission rates by county.
CDC How to Protect Yourself and Others: Get the latest information about how to keep yourself and others safe.

Check out information on Vermont demographics for more data on Vermont’s rural nature and population make-up.
We also recommend checking out your host site on Google Maps to get a better idea of what your new community looks like, especially if you’ve never lived in a rural area before.

3 Squares VT or VT Food Help
Most AmeriCorps members apply for food stamps to supplement the limited living allowance. If you choose to apply for 3 Squares (food stamps), then your living allowance should not be counted as income in determining the amount of your benefit. You can apply online, through the mail, or in person. You can download an application or request that an application be sent to you. On 3 Squares VT, you can find hours of operation and download a map and directions to their local office.
After submitting an application, you should receive a letter within 10 days from the office informing you of the date and time of your interview. If you are unable to attend the scheduled interview, notify the food stamp office as soon as you are able. Note: You should check 3 Squares VT or VT Food Help to verify what counts as income. If requested by the caseworker, Vermont Youth AmeriCorps can provide you with a letter verifying your status as an AmeriCorps member.

VT Health Connect
The State of Vermont expanded Medicaid coverage for those who are not otherwise covered and who qualify. You may want to explore this coverage.

IDA is a matched-savings program that helps income-eligible Vermonters to save money to buy a home, pursue higher education, or capitalize a small business.

Lifeline is a needs-based program in Vermont to help partially cover the cost of a land-line or cellular phone.

VT Energy Assistance Program is a needs-based program in Vermont to help people with heating costs. There are deadlines for applying. Sometimes the program runs out of funds, so meeting the deadlines is important.

VT Legal Aid provides free civil legal services to low-income Vermont residents.
VT Law Help website provides general civil legal information and helps connect people with free and low-cost civil legal aid, help, and services.
Health Care Advocate Project (800-917-7787) helps Vermonters solve problems related to health care. Staff helps solve problems with Vermont Health Connect and other health care coverage, advises on eligibility for free and low-cost programs, assists with applications for free and lower-cost health coverage, and provides advice on how to solve billing problems and file complaints.

Front Porch Forum: As noted above, Front Porch Forum is a free community-building service in Vermont that consists of online neighborhood forums and e-mail newsletters. Common issues include lost pets, mechanic recommendations, block parties, break-ins, helping neighbors in need, group buying, politics, buy/sell/give away items, wildlife sightings, and much more. FPF can be a great way to publicize events at your service site, recruit community volunteers, etc.
Seven Days: An alternative weekly newspaper distributed every Wednesday
State of Vermont Website
Stuck in Vermont: videos about Life in Vermont
VT Digger: a statewide news website that publishes watchdog reports on state government, politics, consumer affairs, business and public policy
VT Public Radio: local news you can stream for free.
VT Public Radio-Brave Little State: VPR’s podcast addressing listeners’ questions about Vermont.

VT's Weatherization Program is designed to help low income residents to save fuel and money by improving the energy efficiency of their homes. If a household includes a member who receives 3 Squares (food stamps) or Home Energy Assistance, the household is considered automatically eligible for weatherization services. Renters qualify for services if they meet the income eligibility guidelines. For more information visit the website.