Application Assistance

Determining Eligibility +

The gross monthly income guideline for eligibility is 185% of the Federal Poverty level for most households. Households with an older Vermonter (age 60+) or someone living with a disability do not have to meet the gross monthly income limits.

These numbers are valid October 1, 2023 - September 30, 2024.

Resource Limits:

There is no asset test (resource limit) for most households. Households with money in the bank, cars, and other resources may still qualify for benefits. Households with an older Vermonter or person with a disability have no income limit, but if their income is over 185% of poverty, they can have up to $4,250 in assets. Retirement accounts such as IRAs and 401ks do not count as resources for any household. Any interest received from accounts is counted as unearned income.

Categorical Eligibility:

Some households are categorically eligible for 3SquaresVT, meaning if someone participates in a certain program, they do not need to meet the income and resource limits. Programs that grant categorical eligibility include:

• Household with a child that received the Vermont Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

• Reach Up (TANF)

• Post-Secondary Education benefits (PSE)

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Regardless of the special rules above, all households must meet other eligibility criteria, such as citizenship/immigration status, or exemptions specific to New Americans, College Students, and people subject to time limited benefits, in order to receive benefits.

Maximizing Deductions +

Applicants should be sure to claim allowable expenses, like child care or medical expenses. This may help people applying get a higher benefit. There are six deductions to consider when applying for benefits:

• Legally Obligated Child Support: This deduction can be claimed if it is paid by a household member for a child who is not part of the 3SVT household.

• Dependent Care Cost: These costs can include child or adult day care fees, or summer camp fees.

• Earned Income Deduction: This is an automatic subtraction of 20% of gross earned income.

• Medical Expenses: This deduction is available to people who are 60+ or receive SSI benefits. Expenses over the cost of $35 can be claimed and include the cost of hearing aids, glasses, prescription medication, home health aide, and Lifeline services.

• Shelter Expenses: A deduction is allowed for shelter costs that are more than 50% of the income after all other deductions are subtracted, up to a maximum shelter deduction, and include rent and mortgage payments, or hotel costs for temporary shelter.

• Standard Deduction: This is an automatic deduction based on the number of people in the 3SquaresVT household.

Maintaining 3SquaresVT Benefits +

Once approved for 3SquaresVT, people will receive notices and forms throughout your certification period. In order to continue receiving 3SquaresVT, these forms must be completed and returned by the deadline given.

Reporting Changes:
There are some changes that must be reported within 10 days, including change of address, income, or household composition. Some changes may increase the monthly benefit.

What to report:

• If household gross income was below 130% of the federal poverty level at time of application, and then it reaches 130% or more in a calendar month (see chart below), this must be reported within the first ten days of the next month.
• When an able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD) living in a household loses a job, reduces hours of employment or has any changes in employment status, this must be reported.
• Households that get benefits from Reach Up, Medicaid, Dr. Dynasaur, VPharm, or Essential Person must report changes within 10 days
• If income decreases, and/or expenses increase, reporting these changes may increase the monthly benefit amount.

Interim Reports:

Most 3SquaresVT households will get an interim report halfway through their certification period. This short form will ask if any information has changed since applying. 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):

Most households need to recertify every 12 months to continue getting 3SquaresVT benefits. People 60 and over, and people with disabilities on fixed incomes may be certified for 24-36 months before recertification is needed.

Six weeks before benefits are due to end, people enrolled in 3SVT will automatically receive a new application by mail. ESD will contact them for an interview once the completed recertification application is submitted. Some documentation may be needed, but not all of the documentation that was needed at initial application. Read the recertification notes carefully to know what copies to send.

Application Assistor Roles +

Community partners are essential in ensuring Vermonters receive their maximum 3SquaresVT benefit. There are a few designations that folks can give to a community assistor, with different rights and responsibilities:

• Authorized Representative:

  • This is the most robust permission available. Authorized representatives can act on the client's behalf, and even sign for them. These representatives have access to any information that the client is entitled to receive.

    • Authorized Representative Form

• Alternate Payee:

  • An Alternate Payee is someone trusted to have access to any benefits a client receives on an EBT card.

    • Alternate Payee Form

• Alternate Reporter:

  • An alternate reporter receives duplicate copies of all notices that are sent to their client. This designation does NOT entitle a service provider to any additional information about their client's application or case.

    • Alternate Reporter Request Form

• Assistor:

  • Assistors can speak with DCF about a client’s application and eligibility for benefits for a specific application. The permission is given on the application (on page 15). The permission is transferable to anyone within the listed agency or community organization.

• Point in Time Call:

  • An applicant can give verbal permission for DCF to talk to a community partner about their specific case. This authorization is only for the specific call, but can serve as an important tool in certain circumstances.

• Authorization to Release Information:

  • This authorization allows staff from certain designated community partner agencies to receive information about a client’s eligibility and benefits. The customer signs a form giving representatives of that organization this permission, and the organization keeps the form on file. Only certain organizations can use this form to receive this permission and it allows for continuity of information sharing and service, in case of staff turnover.

Want to learn more about different application assistor roles? Hunger Free Vermont provides a deep-dive training into each of these different roles and how they work in practice. You may request a training on behalf of your staff!