Do I qualify?

Working +

To qualify for 3SquaresVT, an individual or family must meet income limits based on the number of people in the household. There is no limit on resources such as savings and property or vehicle ownership.

Income requirements are different if you have a person over 60 living in your home, if you receive the Earned Income Tax Credit and have a dependent child, or if a member of your household is receiving SSI, SSDI or Reach Up. Many people are eligible for 3SquaresVT benefits and do not know it.

Unemployed +

Some people need to meet certain work requirements to receive 3SquaresVT benefits, unless circumstances exempt you from working. Applying for or receiving unemployment exempts you from work rules. You can learn more about work requirements here.

Call 855-855-6181 or email 3svt@vtfoodbank.org to find out if you may be exempt from this rule or how you can meet the requirements.

Experiencing Houselessness +

People do not need a permanent address in order to qualify for 3SquaresVT. Many people experiencing homelessness qualify for 3SquaresVT.

• You can use the address of a friend, relative, or U.S. Post Office to get mail.
• You can get 3SquaresVT benefits even if you live in a shelter and get free meals
• You do not need a kitchen or a place to cook to get 3SquaresVT benefits
• You do not need a photo ID to get 3SquaresVT benefits. You need proof of identity. A photo ID is one way to prove identity. You can't be turned down for 3SquaresVT benefits because you don't have a photo ID. You can use another ID like a work or school badge, a health benefits card, an ID from another social service, a pay stub, a birth certificate or a voter registration card.

Learn more here.

An Immigrant +

Getting 3SquaresVT benefits will not count against you when you apply for your green card. The State will not report you to immigration authorities.

If you are a documented resident of the U.S., you may be able to get 3SquaresVT benefits if you have lived in the U.S. for five years or you, your parents, and/or spouse have worked in the U.S. for 10 years total. Other humanitarian statuses qualify for 3SquaresVT. Getting 3SquaresVT benefits also depends on your income, the money you have saved, and how many people live in your household.

If you do not want to give information about your status, you will not get benefits, but your family members may still be able to get them. Once you tell DCF that you do not want to give them this information, they will not ask you any more questions or try to find out about your immigration status from anyone else and they will not share any of your information with ICE.

If you would like an interpreter to help you apply for 3SquaresVT benefits, you can ask for one and the 3SquaresVT office will arrange for one. If you have questions about 3SquaresVT, call Vermont Legal Aid toll-free at 1-800-889-2047.

Click here for more information.

Military families +

You may be eligible if you have a limited income; how much you get in monthly benefits is based on your living expenses.

Combat pay is not counted as income for military families in 3SquaresVT. Some households may not be eligible when a service member is stateside and working. But they may qualify when a member is deployed.

Families already getting 3SquaresVT before deployment may be eligible for more benefits during combat service.

A college student +

Yes, college students may qualify for 3SquaresVT! If you’re enrolled in a university, business, or vocational school half time or more, and meet a student work requirement or exemption, you may qualify for 3SquaresVT benefits! If you are in school less than half time, you don't need to meet a student work rule, and you can get 3SquaresVT benefits based on the regular rules.

Learn more about college student eligibility and how to apply here.

An AmeriCorps member +

Many AmeriCorps members are eligible for 3SquaresVT benefits. There are additional 3SquaresVT rules that apply only to AmeriCorps members. These rules are different depending on which program you are enrolled in.

• AmeriCorps VISTA members: Due to 3SquaresVT rules that apply only to AmeriCorps VISTA participants, it is recommended that you fill out your application and mail it in before you participate in your pre-service orientation. If you are already enrolled in 3SquaresVT when you begin your term of service, Federal regulations specify that your monthly living allowance is exempt from consideration as earned income. However, if you sign up for benefits after you begin your VISTA service, your monthly living allowance will be considered earned income, lowering the amount of 3SquaresVT dollars you will receive each month.

• AmeriCorps State or National or AmeriCorps NCCC: As an AmeriCorps State or National or AmeriCorps NCCC member, you are required to report your monthly living allowance as well as any other income to Economic Services. However, 3SquaresVT policy states that your AmeriCorps earnings are to be excluded from consideration as income when calculating your monthly benefits. This provision will help raise your monthly benefit amount.

A household that received
the Earned Income Tax Credit +

Working families with children who receive the Vermont Earned Income Tax Credit (VT EITC) are automatically income eligible for 3SquaresVT.

Click here to learn how to get this important tax credit.