How To Apply For Vermont Food Stamps

View the information below if you are interested in applying for food stamps in Vermont. It is important that you have all the documentation and information needed so the application process is not delayed. If you still have questions or issues about applying for food stamps, known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), then you can call the Vermont SNAP hotline at 800-479-6151. The department that handles this program is called the Vermont Department for Children and Families.

3SquaresVT is Vermont's name for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (or SNAP), a program of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Eat healthy with a little help from 3SquaresVT. This program can help you stretch your food budget so you can put three healthy meals on your table every day.

Apply for Vermont food stamps

You can apply for the 3SquaresVT program by filling out the application online at dcf.vermont.gov/mybenefits. Or if you prefer, you can request an application by mail by calling 800-479-6151 or visit your local district office. You can also visit your local district office to apply in person.

Part of the application process is to participate in an interview. You'll have to complete an interview, either by phone or in person, before they can make a decision about your Vermont food stamp eligibility. They will tell you about the interview process after you apply. After you submit your application, they may ask you to provide additional documents to verify certain information. They request copies, originals may not be returned.

If you have additional questions or issues about applying for the Vermont SNAP program, or if you need help filling out the application, then call 800-479-6151 (Monday to Thursday 8am to 5:45pm and Friday 8am to 4:15pm). Visit a district office during regular business hours (Monday to Friday 7:45am to 4:30pm), or get a list of other organizations that can help.

The amount of benefits you may receive will depend on your household size, income, and expenses. The average monthly benefit per household is about $235. If anyone in your household is under 65, your monthly benefit will be added to an EBT card that can be used to buy food at many stores and farmers markets much like you'd use a bankcard or credit card. Click here to get more information about how the card works and where you can use it.

If everyone in your household is 65 or older or receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), your benefits will be deposited as cash directly into your bank account. Using 3SquaresVT to buy food is easy and convenient.

How the Vermont food stamp application process works

The first step in the application process is to gather information about the people living in your home.

• Dates of birth and Social Security numbers for those applying for benefits
• Pay stubs for earned income
• Check stubs for unearned income (e.g., alimony, child support, Unemployment Insurance, Workers Comp)
• Information about your resources (e.g., bank accounts, investment accounts & property)
• Household bills (e.g., fuel, phone, and electric)

The next step is listed below:

• To get the ball rolling sooner, you may choose to submit an incomplete application as long as it includes your name, address, and electronic signature. Complete & submit the rest of the application soon after
• They will ask you questions to see if you're eligible for benefits within 7 days
• You must provide a Social Security Number (SSN) for each person applying for benefits
• While you don't have to provide SSNs for people not applying, you do need to give information such as their incomes and resources
• Only US citizens and certain legal immigrants can get benefits. If your household includes people not eligible because of their immigration status, you can still apply for those who are eligible
• You don't have to provide immigration information for people not applying, but you do need to give information such as their incomes and resources.

After that, the next step is completing and submitting your Vermont food stamp application.

• Answer the questions completely and honestly. They will verify the information you provide with other sources, including federal, state, and local agencies
• Complete all information marked with a red asterisk*
• Be sure to read your rights and responsibilities. Print a copy for your records
• Sign and submit your application

After that has been done, the next step is to participate in an interview and orientation if required. You will be required to complete an interview, either by phone or in person, before they can make a decision about your eligibility. They will inform you about the interview process after you apply

After your interview, the next step in the application process is to send any additional documents requested. After you submit your application, they may ask you to provide further documentation (e.g., driver's license, ID card, immigration documents, pay stubs, bills, forms, etc.) to verify certain information. Please send copies of personal documents. Originals may not be returned.

Do note, if you submit your Vermont SNAP application after 4:30pm, or on a weekend or holiday, the filing date is the next business day. If you don't submit it within 30 days, your information will be deleted and you'll have to start over.

Free Job Readiness and Training

If you get 3SquaresVT, you may be eligible for Jobs for Independence (JFI), a free job readiness and training pilot program. We can help even if you don't have stable housing, have a mental health issue, are struggling with substance abuse or recovery, and have a criminal record.

Additional Benefit For Families with School-Age Children

If you're eligible for monthly benefit, have a school-age child, and your child's school participates in a federal meals program, we will notify the school that your child qualifies for free meals, unless you ask them not to. You won't have to fill out the school's meal application form.

Vermont food stamp eligibility requirements

You may be eligible for 3SquaresVT if:

• Your gross household income is equal to or less than 185% of the federal poverty level (FPL), regardless of the resources you own
• Your gross household income is over 185% of FPL but your household includes someone age 60+ or with a disability. They will consider the resources you own (e.g., bank accounts and vehicles) with some exceptions (e.g., your home and certain retirement accounts)
• You have children and get the Vermont Earned Income Tax Credit

Income Guidelines for 3SquaresVT

To get a monthly payment, your net household income must be less than 100% of the federal poverty level (FPL) based on household size. Net household income = gross income minus allowable deductions.

Allowable Deductions

Allowable deductions include:

• A standard deduction based on household size
• An earned income deduction (20% of earned income)
• The cost of child/dependent care
• Court-ordered child support paid to another household
• Shelter expenses (up to a maximum amount)
• Some medical expenses for household members age 60+ or with a disability

Disability

For the purpose of determining eligibility for 3SquaresVT, a disabled household member means one who:

• Receives supplemental security income benefits under title XVI of the Social Security Act or disability or blindness payments under titles I, II, X, XIV, or XVI of the Social Security Act
• Receives federally or State-administered supplemental benefits under section 1616(a) of the Social Security Act provided that the eligibility to receive the benefits is based upon the disability or blindness criteria used under title XVI of the Social Security Act
• Receives federally or State-administered supplemental benefits under section 212(a) of Pub. L. 93–66
• Receives disability retirement benefits from a governmental agency because of a disability considered permanent under section 221(i) of the Social Security Act
• Is a veteran with a service-connected or non-service-connected disability rated by the Veteran's Administration (VA) as total or paid as total by the VA under title 38 of the United States Code
• Is a veteran considered by the VA to be in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound under title 38 of the United States Code
• Is a surviving spouse of a veteran and considered by the VA to be in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound or a surviving child of a veteran and considered by the VA to be permanently incapable of self-support under title 38 of the United States Code
• Is a surviving spouse or surviving child of a veteran and considered by the VA to be entitled to compensation for a service-connected death or pension benefits for a nonservice-connected death under title 38 of the United States Code and has a disability considered permanent under section 221(i) of the Social Security Act. "Entitled" as used in this definition refers to those veterans surviving spouses and surviving children who are receiving the compensation or pension benefits stated or have been approved for such payments, but are not yet receiving them
• Receives an annuity payment under: section 2(a)(1)(iv) of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 and is determined to be eligible to receive Medicare by the Railroad Retirement Board; or section 2(a)(1)(v) of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 and is determined to be disabled based upon the criteria used under title XVI of the Social Security Act or
• Is a recipient of interim assistance benefits pending the receipt of Supplemented Security Income, a recipient of disability related medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act, or a recipient of disability-based State general assistance benefits provided that the eligibility to receive any of these benefits is based upon disability or blindness criteria established by the State agency which are at least as stringent as those used under title XVI of the Social Security Act (as set forth at 20 CFR part 416, subpart I, Determining Disability and Blindness as defined in Title XVI)