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Looking to sell your home because it's at risk for flooding?

Vermont Emergency Management is coordinating a number of programs to support property buyouts for properties damaged by flooding or at risk. Visit the VEM site to learn more about the process. Even after applying you can withdraw from a buyout program at any time up until closing. These programs cover up to 100% of the value of the home before the recent floods. 

Example projects: home buyouts, vacant lot purchases, restoring natural floodplain access to improve floodplain function, dam removal projects that have the benefit of reducing flood risk, natural infrastructure and nature-based solutions for flood storage or improved floodplain and river functions, green infrastructure, and low-impact development to manage stormwater and reduce future flooding.

Vermont Emergency Management will help you identify the best program for your situation. Click Here to start your application.

Funding to Replace Failed Water or Wastewater Systems

Receive 100% of the reasonable cost of design/permitting and construction up to $25,000 depending on income and other criteria.

To be eligible for funding, applicants must:

• Have a failed or inadequate on-site drinking water or wastewater system (also known as wells, springs, septic systems or tanks, leach fields, drywells, or cesspools) 
• Own and live on a residential property with either a single-family home or an owner-occupied, multi-family home with up to four units 
• Earn a household income of less than $80,835 per year  

How To Apply

Click Here to Visit the Program Website and start your application.If you require assistance, you may reach the Healthy Homes team at 802-828-0141 or toll free at 877-344-0354 and a team member will help you complete the application over the phone

What is a failed or inadequate wastewater system?  

A failed or inadequate wastewater system is considered by the ANR Healthy Homes Program to be any of the following situations that cannot be fixed by a minor repair/minor replacement, or the problem is not the result of a one-time event from which the system could have been fixed: 

• Septic contents (wastewater) backing up into a building or structure 
• Septic contents (wastewater) exposed to open air 
• Septic contents (wastewater) pooling outside the home
• Septic contents (wastewater) leaking directly to a lake, pond, or stream
• Septic contents (wastewater) contaminating a drinking water supply
• Told by a licensed designer, engineer, and/or government official that the system is failed or inadequate 
• There is an outhouse, composting toilet or similar for a permanent year-round residence
• You can also review the definition of a failed supply and about water quality standards in the Wastewater System and Potable Water Supply Rules. 

What is a failed or inadequate drinking water supply? 

A failed or inadequate drinking water supply is considered by the ANR Healthy Homes Program to be any of the following situations, as long as the system in question cannot be fixed by a minor repair/minor replacement, or the problem is not the result of a one-time event from which the system could have been fixed: 

• There is a known source of contamination impacting the drinking water source, including a contaminated site, leaking underground storage tank (fuel tank), or other contamination source  
• Water quality testing has revealed contaminant levels above the acceptable standards for any of the following contaminants – arsenic, E. coli, total coliform, fluoride, lead, manganese, nitrate, nitrite, uranium, or adjusted gross alpha particle activity 
• Water source does not provide enough water for the normal use of the building (for example: a well that has gone dry)
• Told by a licensed designer, engineer, and/or government official that the system is failed or inadequate 
• You can also review the definition of a failed supply and about water quality standards in the Wastewater System and Potable Water Supply Rules. 

Weatherization Assistance

Can help improve the energy efficiency, safety, and comfort of your home and save you money on your energy bills. We’ll provide FREE weatherization services, which could include comprehensive "whole house" energy assessment, state-of-the-art building diagnostics, and full-service energy-efficient retrofits.

On average, the program:

• Makes about $10,000 worth of improvements per home,
• Adds about 1,500 square feet of insulation, and
• Reduces drafts by about 40%.

Who Is Eligible

You may be eligible if you have not received free weatherization services in the past 15 years and at least ONE of the following is true:

• Your household income meets the income limits.
• You are an active Seasonal Fuel Assistance household.
• Someone in your household gets Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
• An adult in your household received either Reach Up, Reach First, or the Reach Up Post-Secondary Education grant in the past 12 months.  A Child-Only Reach Up grant does not count.

Click here to learn how to apply for this program.

Green Mountain Power Energy Assistance

This program offers a 25% discount off the monthly charges for the energy you use. You may be forgiven a past-due bill if you are are new to the program.

You must:

• Be a residential Green Mountain Power customer
• Have gross monthly household income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level.

How To Apply

1. Print & complete this application.
2. Or, call 1-800-775-0516 to get one sent to you.
3. Sign the application.
4. Attach a copy of your latest electric bill. 
5. Send it to: ADPC - Economic Services Division, 280 State Drive, Waterbury VT  05671-1500.
6. Use the Document Uploader to send any additional documents we ask for.

You must reapply each year to keep getting the discount!

• Call 1-800-775-0516 if you have questions about the program.
• Call 1-888-835-4672 if you have questions about your Green Mountain Power bill.

Vermont Gas Energy Assistance

This program offers a 20% discount off your monthly natural gas bill.

You must:

• Be a residential Vermont Gas customer
• Have gross monthly household income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level.

How To Apply

1. Print and complete this application.
2. Or, call 1-800-775-0516 to get one sent to you.
3. Sign the application.
4. Attach a copy of your latest gas bill.
5. Send it to ADPC - Economic Services Division, 280 State Drive, Waterbury VT  05671-1500.
6. Use the Document Uploader to send any additional documents we ask for.

You must reapply each year to keep getting the discount!

• Call 1-800-775-0516 if you have questions about the program.
• Call 1-800-639-8081 if you have questions about your Vermont Gas bill.

Efficiency Vermont Rebates on Furnaces, Heat Pumps, Hot Water Systems, and Appliances

Efficiency Vermont offers rebates and services to replace or upgrade HVAC units and appliances with energy efficient systems. Additional programs are available for homes and businesses impacted by disasters. Vist the Efficiency Vermont Website to see current offers and to learn more.

Fuel Assistance

If your application is approved, we'll pay a portion of your home heating bills. How your benefit is paid will depend on your primary fuel type and whether you pay directly or as part of rent. Coupons are distributed on a first come, first served basis. Apply early! Coupons are provided when you apply. They expire on October 31st of each year.

Who Is Eligible

• You may be eligible if your gross household income is equal to or less than 185% of the federal poverty level based on household size.
• Some people in your home may not be part of your fuel household (e.g., a caretaker or roomer). We won't count their incomes when we determine if you are eligible. But you'll need to list them on the application form.   

How To Apply

• If you got Fuel Assistance last season: We'll send you an annual review form to complete.
• If you did not get Fuel Assistance last season: Apply one of these ways:
  • ONLINE: Use our online application.
  • BY MAIL: Call 1-800-479-6151 to request a paper application.
  • IN PERSON: Apply in person at your local district office.
  • FUEL ONLY: Print and complete this application form if you are applying for Fuel Assistance only.

Where To Learn More

• Call 1-800-479-6151 or visit a district office.
• Get a list of other organizations that can help.

Click Here to Visit the Program Website

Crisis Fuel Assistance

The program can help you:

• Purchase the primary source of your heat.
• Pay for electricity if it's required to run your heating system.
• Negotiate payment plans.
• Work with your electric or natural gas company to prevent disconnection.

Don't wait until you run out of fuel to apply. Fuel dealers often charge a special trip fee for emergency deliveries. We cannot help you if the fuel has already been delivered or the furnace work has been completed.

Who Is Eligible

• Your household income must be equal to or less than 200% of the federal poverty level. 
• You must be experiencing a heating crisis (e.g., you're out of fuel and have no money to buy more).

When To Apply

• If you heat with bulk fuels (e.g., oil, kerosene, propane, wood, pellets, and coal) — apply from the last Monday in November to the second Friday in April.
• If you heat with metered fuels (e.g., natural gas, electric, or metered propane) — apply from  the last Monday in November to the last regular working day in April.

How To Apply

• Apply in person at your local Community Action Agency.
• Please call first. They'll tell you what documents and information you need to bring.
• If you are elderly or disabled and can't apply in person, your local agency may accept your application by phone.

If you are elderly, disabled, or have a child under 6 living in your household:

• You may call 1-800-479-6151 toll-free  — on weekends and holidays — to apply for Crisis Fuel Assistance.
• You can do this starting the last Saturday in November until the first Sunday in April.
• If you are granted assistance on a weekend or holiday, you'll still need to complete an application at your local Community Action Agency  If you don’t, you might not get assistance in the future.

Click Here to Visit the Program Website

3SQUARESVT

3SquaresVT is a federal USDA program that helps you buy healthy foods at many stores and farmers markets with money every month.

How To Apply

1. Complete Form 202 or call 1-800-479-6151 to request a copy.
2. Complete and sign it.
3. Submit it by:

• using the document uploader
• mailing it to the address on the application
• dropping it off at a district office

If you get 3SquaresVT:

• You qualify for free employment and training supports through ICAN
• Your children may qualify for free meals at school.
• You qualify for Crop Cash through NOFA-VT

Where To Learn More

• Call our Benefits Service Center at 1-800-479-6151. We accept all relay calls.
• If you are age 60+, you can also call 1-800-642-5119.

Click Here to Visit the Program Website

Farm to Family

If your application is accepted, you may get $30 in coupons that you can use to buy locally-grown fresh fruits, fresh vegetables and fresh-cut herbs at participating farmers markets and farm stands.

If you are age 60 and over, you may get $48 in coupons.

Who Is Eligible

You may be eligible one of two ways:

1. You're enrolled in the Department of Health’s WIC Program.
   Apply at special Farm to Family sessions in your area. The schedule is published in WIC's June newsletter. You can also call your local health office to get it.
2. Your household income is at or below the 2023 income limits, available on the Program Website.

How To Apply

Apply at your local Community Action Agency. The application process begins on July 1st this year. Call in mid-June to find out where coupons will be distributed.

Coupons are distributed on a first come, first served basis. Apply early! Coupons are provided when you apply. They expire on October 31st of each year.

Info for shoppers in 2023:  Arabic  •  Chinese  •  Dari  •  French  •  Nepali  •  Pashto  •  Somali  •  Spanish  •  Swahili  
 

Locations accepting coupons in 2023  

Click Here to Visit the Program Website

Reach Up

Reach Up can help you to set and reach short and long-term goals that will enable you to financially support your minor, dependent children. Support includes:

• Services and case management to help you reach goals related to your education, employment, finances, health, housing, safety, training, well-being, and more.
• Monthly cash payments to help with basics like food, clothes, housing, and utilities.

If you will need support for four months or less, you may be eligible for shorter term support from Reach First.

Eligibility depends on:

• Your household income & living expenses.
• The value of the things you own or are paying for.
• Who lives in your home.

How To Apply

1. Apply one of the following ways:
   ONLINE: Use our online application.
   BY MAIL: Call 1-800-479-6151 to request a paper application.
   IN PERSON: Apply in person at your local district office.

2. Participate in an interview by phone or in person.

Additional Benefits

If you get Reach Up:

• You could also get free weatherization services.
• You may be eligible to participate in Vermont MOMS.

When Your Benefit Closes

We'll automatically enroll you in Reach Ahead if you're eligible.

Where To Learn More

• Read What You Need To Know About Reach Up.
• Call 1-800-479-6151 or visit your local district office.
• Contact one of these organizations for help applying.

Click Here to Visit the Program Website

Reach Up Child Only

Provides cash assistance to help adults care for the minor, dependent children of relatives or family friends. Caretakers will receive monthly cash assistance (called a caretaker benefit).

Who Is Eligible

To be eligible, a child must:

• Be under 18 (with a few exceptions*)
• NOT be getting SSI benefits
• NOT be in foster care
• Have little or no income of their own
• Be living with/cared for by someone other than a legal, step or adoptive parent

In some situations, additional factors will be considered.

How To Apply

ELECTRONICALLY:

1. Download the fillable application on your computer.
2. Open the form and complete it.
3. Type your name into the signature boxes on pages 11 and 12. Save it!
4. Use the document uploader to send it to us securely, along with copies of any required supporting documents.

BY PAPER:

1. Call 1-800-479-6151 to request the Reach Up Child Only Application.
2. Complete and sign it.
3. Mail it to the address on the application or drop it off at a district office.

If Your Application Is Approved

• You will receive monthly cash assistance (called a caretaker benefit).

Additional Benefits

Children who get Child-Only Reach Up may also be eligible for:

• Free school meals
• Dr. Dynasaur health insurance
• Child Care Financial Assistance

Where To Learn More

• Read the Vermont Kinship Caregivers Guide.
• Call 1-800-479-6151 or visit one of our district offices.
• Contact Vermont Kin as Parents to learn about other resources and support for kinship families. Call 802-871-5104 or provide your information at Vermont Kin as Parents' contact page. 

Click Here to Visit the Program Website

Child Care Financial Assistance

The program offers financial assistance for income eligible families with children in childcare.

To be eligible, your family must:

• Have an accepted service need (reason) for child care,
• Meet the income guidelines (effective 2/26/2023), and
• Live in Vermont.

How To Apply

1. Complete the paper application.
2. Complete any additional forms that are required.
3. Gather copies of any required verification documents.
4. Send your completed materials to your local community child care support agency.

If you get Reach Up, ask your case manager if they can authorize Child Care Financial Assistance for you. If they can, you won't have to complete an application.

If Your Application Is Approved

• We let you know how much CDD will pay, for how many hours, and for what period. 
• We send authorized payments directly to your provider.
• You pay your provider any co-payment you are responsible for.

What Happens Next

1. Your local community child care support agency will determine your eligibility.
2. If eligible, assistance may begin on the date they received your fully completed application.

Where To Learn More

Staff in your local community child care support agency can:

• Answer your questions and help you apply.
• Provide copies of any forms you need to fill out.
• Help you find a child care provider if you don’t already have one.

Click Here to Visit the Program Website

Transportation

Find travel options at https://www.connectingcommuters.org. 

Enhanced incentives are now available for income-eligible Vermont residents whose personal vehicles have been damaged by flooding and attest to having scrapped the damaged vehicle. Flood-related updates for each incentive program are highlighted in the sections below and on the Drive Electric Vermont website.

Click Here to Visit the Program Website

Statewide Vehicle Incentive Programs

The Vermont Legislature has authorized four statewide vehicle incentive programs for income-qualified Vermonters: 

1. an incentive program for the purchase or lease of a new plug-in electric vehicle (PEV);
2. an incentive program for the purchase of a high fuel-efficiency used vehicle called MileageSmart;
3. an incentive program that retires 10+ year old internal combustion engine vehicles and provides funds for cleaner transportation alternatives called Replace Your Ride; and
4. an incentive program for the purchase of a new electric bicycle (eBike).

These programs are described in greater detail below.

In addition, the Legislature has also authorized funding for EVSE (EV chargers) for affordable multi-unit developments and other community charging applications. For those interested in these programs, please visit the Department of Housing and Community Development website.

Incentive Program for New Plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEVs)

An additional $1,000 incentive (up to $6,000 total) is now available to eligible Vermont residents purchasing or leasing a new all-electric vehicle (AEV) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) to replace a flood-damaged vehicle.

Eligible customers may receive the incentive directly from a participating car dealer in the form of a reduced purchase or lease price, or they may receive a direct cash reimbursement from the state's incentive administrator, Center for Sustainable Energy. Incentives are limited to one per person per year, as determined by a minimum 12-month lapsed time from a prior state EV incentive, and to Vermont residents only.

Incentives are limited to plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) with a base MSRP of $50,000 or less. Exceptions to the vehicle price caps are now available for those requiring an accessible vehicle. Please consult the updated list of eligible vehicles. The statewide incentive may be used in combination with additional PEV incentives offered by the state’s electric utilities and federal tax credits for greater savings.

For more information including remaining funds, eligible models, application forms, and a current list of participating auto dealerships, please visit the Drive Electric Vermont website.

High Fuel-Efficiency Used Vehicle Program (MileageSmart)

MileageSmart Program Update: The full $5,000 incentive is now available to eligible Vermont residents replacing a flood-damaged vehicle with a high fuel-efficient used vehicle regardless of the vehicle price.

The high fuel-efficiency used vehicle program provides financial assistance to income-eligible Vermonters at the point-of-sale to purchase used fuel-efficient vehicles. MileageSmart can contribute up to 25% of the vehicle purchase price, with a maximum of $5,000. Additional information about MileageSmart, including how to apply, can be found at the MilesageSmart website, www.mileagesmartvt.org.

Replace Your Ride

Replace Your Ride Program Update: An incentive of up to $5,000 is now available to eligible Vermont residents replacing a 10+ year old flood-damaged vehicle with a cleaner transportation option regardless of whether the flood-damaged vehicle is drivable or not. 

The Replace Your Ride program encourages owners of older internal combustion engine vehicles to switch to cleaner transportation options by offering an incentive of up to $5,000 to scrap the high polluting vehicle.

Eligible applicants must either meet the lower-income thresholds of the PEV incentive program or meet the income criteria for the MileageSmart program (80% of State Median Income, based on household size).  

The program offers two options on how to use the incentive:  

1. Participants may apply their voucher towards the purchase or lease of a new or used PEV;
2. Participants seeking a more flexible option may apply their voucher towards active or shared mobility options including the purchase of either a used or new PEV; a bicycle, electric bicycle, or fully electric motorcycle; and/or shared mobility services that reduce the need for vehicle ownership (such as public transit fares, carsharing or bikesharing). Participants who chose the latter option will receive a clean mobility card, which is a pre-paid debit card that can be used at eligible businesses that help reduce or avoid vehicle miles traveled in single occupancy automobiles. 

Incentives through this program may be applied in combination with others through the MileageSmart, New PEV, and electric bicycle incentive programs. More information about the Replace Your Ride program is available at the Drive Electric Vermont website.

Electric Bike Incentive

The State of Vermont has re-opened the nation’s first statewide incentive program that offers pre-paid vouchers for electric bicycle (eBike) purchases. This program will help Vermonters make daily trips with cleaner transportation that helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

The Vermont eBike Incentive Program, which first launched last July, is a limited-time offering available to income-eligible Vermonters on a first-come, first-served basis. Incentives will be available until the $150,000 in funding authorized this year is exhausted.

Features of the program have changed since the initial effort. Eligible eBikes must meet minimum safety standards and cannot exceed maximum price levels of a base MSRP of $4,000 for standard electric bikes and $5,000 for electric cargo bikes. eBike purchasers must first apply for and receive a pre-paid debit card that can be applied at the point-of-sale at participating bike shops. The program has also been further restricted to serve only households with lower incomes and high transportation needs.

As with the earlier iteration of the incentive program, the current eBike incentives can be combined with offers from Vermont electric utilities to further reduce the cost of electric bikes. For more information and to apply for the Vermont eBike Incentive Program visit the Drive Electric Vermont website.

Health Insurance Programs

Many Vermonters can now get financial help to buy health insurance, even if they couldn't before. See if you qualify for free or low-cost health insurance from Vermont's health insurance marketplace at http://vermonthealthconnect.gov/

Mental Health & Counseling

Multiple resources are available to Vermonters who need support.

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline - you can call 988, text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org for your or if you are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

Local Support - The Department of Mental Health designates mental health agencies across the state to serve Vermonters. Many of these agencies also administer crisis counseling programs. To find mental health agencies in your community, visit https://vermont211.org or call 211.

Housing and Homeownership

Vermont has several programs to help people find housing at to assit first-time homebuyers in financing their purchase. For more information, visit https://vermont211.org or call 211.

Emergency General Assistance

This program can help with your emergency basic needs, including:

• Housing, fuel & utilities
• Medical, dental, prescriptions, medical supplies/equipment
• Personal needs and incidentals
• Burial costs

Visit your local district office to apply. For more information Click Here to Visit the Program Website.