Individuals & Families

Am I Eligible? +

Click here to use our Eligibility Screener to see if you may qualify - but the best way to know if you are eligible is to apply!

If you meet income limits and citizen/immigrant eligibility, you may be eligible.

• You don't need to have kids to qualify for 3SquaresVT.
• If someone you live and buy food with is 60+ or disabled, you do not need to meet the income limits.
• If you do have a kid and you got the Vermont Earned Income Tax Credit, you do not need to meet the income limits.
• If you live with roommates but buy and cook food separately, you can apply for yourself. It's possible to have more than 1 3SquaresVT "household" in one house.
• College students may qualify.
• You don't need a permanent address to qualify -- people who are experiencing homelessness may qualify.
• Not everyone needs to meet work rules, and people subject to work rulse may be able to have them waived.

How does 3SquaresVT work? +

When your 3SquaresVT application is approved, you will get an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card in the mail that looks and works like a debit card.

3SquaresVT benefits are added to your card at the beginning of every month. Unused benefits roll over into the next month and remain on your card unless you don't use your card for 9 months in a row.

You can use your EBT card to buy food at many stores, farmesr markets, and online.Click here to find a store near you that accepts 3SquaresVT benefits as payment.

When you pay for groceries with your EBT card, the cost is automatically subtracted from your 3SquaresVT account. Your receipt tells you how much you have left in your 3SquaresVT account.

You can also call EBT Customer Service at 1-800-914-8605, visit this website, or download the Providers app to your phone to find out how much money is left on your card.

How much can I get? +

Monthly benefit amounts are based on your income and monthly expenses like rent or mortgage payments, childcare, and medical expenses. Click here to see how much your household size could get.

What can I buy with 3SquaresVT? +

A trip to the grocery store with a 3SquaresVT EBT card looks the same as anyone else paying with a debit or credit card. Simply walk into the store and shop for groceries like:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Meat, poultry, and fish, tofu, meat-alternatives
• Dairy products, dairy-alternative products
• Breads and cereals
• Rice
• Beans
• Other foods such as snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages
• Seeds and plants that produce food for you to eat!

Click here for more information about what you can and can't buy.

When you’re ready to check out, use your 3SquaresVT EBT card at the register just like a debit card. When prompted, pay as you usually would for any other chosen products.

When you pay for groceries with your EBT card, the cost is automatically subtracted from your 3SquaresVT account. Your receipt tells you how much you have left in your 3SquaresVT account. You can also call 1-800-914-8605, visit this website, or download the Fresh EBT app to your phone to find out how much money is left on your card.

Keeping your Benefits +

Once approved for 3SquaresVT, you may get notices and forms from Economic Services Division. In order to continue getting 3SquaresVT, you’ll need to respond before the deadline that is included on the notice. Most households get benefits for one year before they need to re-apply. Your approval notice will tell you how long you are certified to receive benefits.

Reporting Changes:
Did you move? Did your income or housing costs go up or down? Has anyone joined or left your household? There are some changes that you must report within 10 days. Some changes may make you eligible for a higher monthly benefit. Click here to learn what you must report and how to report changes.

Interim Reports:
Most 3SquaresVT households will get an interim report halfway through their certification period. This short form will ask if any of your information has changed since applying. At this time you can report any changes. The form must be returned to Economic Services before the deadline or benefits will stop. There is no interview at this time.

Continuing Benefits (Recertification):
At the end of your certification period, you need to recertify in order to continue receiving benefits. Six weeks before your benefits are due to end, you will automatically receive a new application by mail. After you return your completed application, you will be contacted about an interview. The worker will tell you what documentation you need to resubmit during the interview.

Important Note:
Send in completed forms as soon as you can. If you do not return your recertification forms by the 15th of the last month of your certification period, your benefits may be stopped.