13-260 Code Vt. R. 13-170-260-X
General assistance (GA) is an emergency financial assistance program for eligible applicant households whose emergency needs, according to department standards, cannot be met under any other assistance program administered by the department and cannot be relieved without the department's intervention. Receipt of food stamps, however, shall not be a factor in determination of emergency need since this is a diet supplement program and may not be considered in determining eligibility for or level of benefits in any other assistance program.
A household may qualify for GA in two ways, by meeting either the non-catastrophic or the catastrophic rules. All households must meet the citizenship and residence criteria in section 2603 and furnish required information as specified in section 2604.
Households with emergency needs not caused by a catastrophic situation must include a minor dependent or meet other criteria of age or ability to work (2601) to be determined eligible, and must have income below the applicable income test (2601B). Households in which all members receive Reach Up, a Postsecondary Education Program (PSE) stipend, SSI/AABD, or a combination of these program benefits are ineligible for non-catastrophic GA because they are considered to be over income for this program.
Households with emergency needs caused by a catastrophic situation must meet the eligibility criteria in section 2602. Emergency medical needs are considered catastrophic. All households applying for GA for an emergency medical need must meet the catastrophic GA criteria at 2602 to have the emergency medical need covered by GA.
General Assistance, a program to meet emergency needs, has no provision for ongoing assistance. Subsequent requests will be treated as new applications.
To have their eligibility for GA considered, all applicants (2600.3) or their authorized representatives must:
-- submit a complete, signed application each time they request assistance; and
-- have a face-to-face interview with a PATH representative, unless waived by the district manager.
Action on applications shall be taken upon receipt and review of a signed application. The action shall be considered complete when:
Oral notice of assistance granted shall include the following specific information:
Written notice of assistance denied shall include the specific reason for denial.
Failure to complete action on an application promptly shall not constitute the sole reason for denial of assistance unless it can be established and documented in the case record that such failure is the result of noncooperation on the part of the applicant.
Reliance on the applicant as the primary source of information to establish eligibility recognizes the right to privacy, but also places responsibility on the applicant to furnish necessary information completely and accurately or, when needed, to give consent to obtain such information elsewhere. Department responsibility to assist an applicant to establish eligibility requires careful explanation and interpretation of program eligibility criteria and information needed to assess the applicant's circum-stances against such eligibility criteria.
An applicant has a right to refuse to give information, to submit required proof, or to give consent to a collateral contact. Such refusal of information or action necessary to establish eligibility will result in denial or closure of aid or benefits. Wilful misrepresentation of applicant circumstances will also result in legal action under fraud statutes. Department staff shall make every effort to assure full applicant understanding of the consequences of refusal to take necessary action to establish eligibility or misrepresentation of individual circumstances.
An individual may apply for aid or benefits through another person; for example: an authorized representative; a person acting responsibly for an incompetent or incapacitated individual. The individual acting for the applicant is, in such situations, considered the primary source of information, subject to the same rights, responsibilities and consequences for the applicant as an applicant acting directly for himself.
Personal interviews are conducted privately with the applicant, who may have one representative of his choice to assist in oral presentation of his needs.
Written verification statements shall include sufficient detail to enable independent reviewer evaluation of the reasonableness of the resulting eligibility decision, including but not limited to a description of method used, dates, sources, summary of information obtained, and any computations required.
Refusal to submit necessary verification or to consent to verification of any eligibility factor or to cooperate in investigation necessary to support an affirmative decision of eligibility shall result in denial of the application.
Common collateral sources are relatives, town officials, town service officers, public records, doctors, and medical facilities. Other agencies that have worked with the client are generally the best source of collateral information.
No collateral contact is made without the applicant's knowledge and consent, based on his clear understanding of the need for and purpose of each contact. Department policies regarding confidentiality will be respected.
An applicant may on occasion be reluctant to consent to contact with collateral sources. If, with full understanding of the possible alternative of denial, the applicant refuses to permit a necessary contact, the application shall be denied.
The following definitions apply to the terms used in the GA rules.
Individuals whose SSI/AABD eligibility has been terminated because of the SSI/AABD 36-month time limit related to drug or alcohol disability shall be considered able-bodied with respect to their drug or alcohol impairment.
For married individuals or parties to a civil union who live together, the term applicant refers to both spouses or civil union partners. Either spouse or partner may complete the application.
For unmarried adults who live together and have a child-in-common, the term applicant refers to both adults. Either adult may complete the application.
Applicants must be age 18 or older, unless emancipated (see emancipated minor below).
-- work at least 35 hours per week at no less than the applicable minimum hourly wage;
-- have gross weekly income that, when divided by 35, equals or exceeds the applicable minimum hourly wage, regardless of the actual number of hours worked; or
-- if self-employed, work at least 35 hours per week and the balance of income remaining after deducting allowable self-employment deductions equals or exceeds the minimum wage. An individual shall be considered self-employed if the Internal Revenue Service requirements for classification as self-employed are met.
-- Any blood relative, including those of half-blood, and including first cousins, nephews, nieces and preceding generations, as denoted by the prefixes grand-, great-, and great-great;
-- Stepparent, stepbrother, stepsister;
-- Any adoptive relative of corresponding degree, upon whom Vermont law ( 15A V.S.A. § 1-104) confers the same rights, duties, and obligations as natural relatives;
-- Any spouse or civil union partner of an individual included in the above groups, even if the marriage or civil union has been terminated by death, divorce, or dissolution.
-- The wages (monetary and in-kind) are equal to or exceed the minimum wage. The value of in-kind income shall be established by the employer.
-- The individual is physically and mentally fit to perform the employment offered.
-- The work offered is not at a site subject to a strike or a lockout at the time of the offer.
-- The eligibility worker shall establish when medical documentation is required to determine suitability of employment. The department shall pay the reasonable charge for medical examination and report.
To be eligible for GA, an applicant must be a U.S. citizen or a legal alien.
When a town service officer or district director has reason to believe that an applicant came into Vermont for the purpose of receiving GA or, in the case of applications for payment of medical services, receiving medical care, the town service officer or district director may find the applicant ineligible. ( 33 V.S.A. § 2107) Such applicants, however, may be granted GA for transportation to the place they were living before coming to Vermont. ( 33 V.S.A. § 2107)
Applicants are the primary source of information about their circumstances. Respect for their rights to privacy place responsibility on applicants to furnish complete and accurate information.
Pursuant to 33 VSA Section 2104 and 2105, all GA applications require investigation and recording of the circumstances of the person alleged to need GA to determine eligibility. Applicants must furnish information required as to physical condition, earnings or other income, ability of all members of their families to be employed, the cause of the person's condition, the ability and willingness of persons legally liable for their support to assist and other relevant data.
The Department retains the right to verify any or all information provided by applicants. To be eligible for consideration for assistance, applicants must agree to the requisite investigation of their circumstances.
Social Welfare District Directors shall furnish necessary assistance, according to Department standards and regulations to meet immediate maintenance need (food, clothing, shelter, etc.) as it arises. Eligibility for such aid under any other Department program is explored prior to authorizing use of General Assistance funds. (See sections 2610-19).
District Directors shall assure exploration of the applicant's eligibility for medical or other assistance through a legally responsible relative or Department categorical program prior to issuing General Assistance funds (See section 2620-29).
Services to help individuals with emergency admission to state institutions (other than penal) shall be handled by the District Director in the absence of the Town Service Officer, but only when no family member or other interested person is available to take this responsibility. Payment of necessary expenses is discretionary with District Directors according to Department policy. (See section 2630-39.)
Arrangements for burial, in the absence of the Town Service Officer and when no family member or other interested person is available to take this responsibility shall be handled by District Directors. Authorization to grant permission to bill the Department for burial expenses of a recipient of AABD, ANFC or Medicaid (nursing home cases only), other needy individuals, or a committed child, shall be vested in the District Directors.
District Directors shall take positive action under the applicable paragraph of Section 2600 to recover General Assistance funds.
District Directors may delegate authority to subordinate staff members to carry out the functions of the General Assistance Program.
Applicant households in which all members receive Reach Up, a Postsecondary Education Program (PSE) stipend, SSI/AABD, or a combination of these program benefits, do not qualify for GA in non-catastrophic situations. All other households applying for emergency needs that are not attributable to a catastrophic situation may qualify for GA to address that need, provided they meet one of the two criteria of subsection A, all of the criteria of subsection B, the citizenship and residence criteria in section 2603, and the applicant's responsibility criteria in 2604.
Employment Barriers
The applicable income limits are as follows:
The Reach Up payment standard is the need standard ratably reduced before consideration of any income (Reach Up rule 2245.24).
SSI/AABD Applicants
The GA applicant or GA household member who has a pending SSI/AABD application, or who is being referred by the department to the Social Security Administration (SSA) to apply for SSI/AABD, must sign a Recovery of General Assistance Agreement authorizing SSA to send the initial SSI/AABD payment to this department so the amount of GA received can be deducted. Regardless of the amount of the initial SSI/AABD payment, the deduction shall be made for GA issued during the period from the first day of eligibility for SSI/AABD, or the day the Recovery of General Assistance Agreement is signed, if later, to the date the initial SSI/AABD payment is received by the department.
When the SSI/AABD grant does not include all members of the GA household, the deduction shall be for a prorated portion of GA granted, to reflect only those included in the SSI/AABD grant.
The department shall send any remainder due to the SSI/AABD recipient within 10 days. An exception to this provision applies to individuals whose SSI/AABD is based on drug addiction or alcoholism. After SSI/AABD is granted and SSA has reimbursed Vermont for GA received, SSA will pay the remainder of the initial SSI/AABD payment to the recipient's representative payee.
Applicants with an emergency need attributable to a catastrophic situation (rule 2621) may qualify for GA to address that need, provided that they meet the eligibility criteria in rules 2604 - 2605 and 2620-2623 and payment conditions in rules 2651-2667. Applicants seeking help for an emergency medical need shall not be eligible for GA to address that need if they have been denied or lost health insurance sponsored by the state or federal government for specified reasons (rule 2620 D).
To qualify for such assistance, applicants must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:
-- they failed to pay a premium for the government-sponsored health insurance, or
-- they failed to comply with any administrative eligibility requirement necessary to be covered by the government-sponsored health insurance.
For purposes of GA rules, premium is defined as it is defined in Vermont Medicaid rules. Premium means a nonrefundable charge that must be paid by an applicant or beneficiary as a condition of initial and ongoing enrollment for health insurance.
Eligibility workers shall explain to applicants that they are expected to take steps to avoid or resolve emergencies in the future without GA. Except for applicants who are receiving their final grant of assistance within a 12-month period, applicants and eligibility workers shall work together to develop a schedule of activities addressing the applicant's emergency need. Completion of these activities is a requirement for continued receipt of assistance. These activities shall be documented in the applicant's case record .
Subsequent applications must be evaluated in relation to the individual applicant's potential for having resolved the need within the time which has elapsed since the catastrophe to determine whether the need is now caused by the catastrophe or is a result of failure on the part of the applicant to explore potential resolution of the problem.
The department shall not apply an income test or resource exclusions in determining eligibility due to a catastrophic situation.
For the purposes of this section, catastrophic situations are limited to the following situations:
The department shall determine the eligibility of an applicant for payment of medical services or items using the criteria for eligibility due to a catastrophic situation at rule 2620, even if the applicant meets the non-catastrophic income test at rule 2610 B.
A court-ordered eviction resulting from intentional, serious property damage caused by the applicant, other household members, or their guests; repeated instances of raucous and illegal behavior that seriously infringed on the rights of the landlord or other tenants of the landlord; or intentional and serious violation of a tenant agreement is not considered a catastrophic situation. Violation of a tenant agreement shall include nonpayment of rent if the tenant had sufficient income to pay the rent and did not use that income to cover other basic necessities or withhold the rent pursuant to efforts to correct substandard housing.
Acceptable verification of domestic violence includes:
-- a relief-from-abuse restraining order or order against stalking or sexual assault; observable physical evidence of abuse;
-- corroboration of domestic violence, sexual violence, human trafficking, or stalking from police, hospitals, court officials, physicians, nurses, or any other credible sources;
-- a determination of abuse by staff at a domestic violence shelter or organization;
-- a waiver of the Reach Up requirement to cooperate in pursuing child support (see rule 2235.2); or
-- a deferment or modification of the Reach Up work requirement due to the effects of domestic violence (see rule 2363.1).
Constructive eviction is defined as any disturbance caused by a landlord, or someone acting on the landlords behalf, that makes the premises unfit for occupation The motive for the disturbance, which may be inferred from the act, is the eviction of the occupant.
A situation in which the landlord has not provided heat, utilities, or water within a reasonable period of time and there is an agreement to furnish these items shall be considered a constructive eviction when the applicant is pursuing legal resolution of these offenses through the Vermont Department of Health or appropriate local officials, such as the local housing inspector or town health officer. The department shall not deny benefits to an individual in a constructive eviction situation because the individual chooses not to pursue legal action such as withholding rent, obtaining a court order, suing the landlord, or terminating the rental agreement.
The general definition of emergency need in subsection A applies to all items and services except those related to vision, dental, and prescription drugs. The definitions of emergency medical need as applied to vision, dental, and prescription drugs are specified in subsections B through D.
An emergency medical need is defined as a need for a medical service or item attributable to a medical condition characterized by acute symptoms of sufficient severity, including but not limited to severe pain, such that a prudent layperson, with an average knowledge of health and medicine could reasonably expect the absence of medical attention to result in the following:
-- serious jeopardy to the health of the participant;
-- serious impairment to bodily functions; or
-- serious dysfunction of the bodily organ or part.
Prior to issuing a vendor authorization for covered physician services, vision services and items, medical supplies, durable medical equipment, or ambulance services, eligibility workers shall obtain a determination from the Office of Vermont Health Access (OVHA) that such services or items address an emergency medical need (as defined in subsection A or B) or addressed such a need at the time the services or items were provided.
An emergency medical need is deemed to exist if and only if vision services or items for which GA payment is requested are covered by GA (2623) and necessary to:
-- aid convalescence from eye surgery;
-- prevent blindness or further deterioration of eyesight;
-- avert risk of physical injury from normal living hazards, such as stairs and stoves; or
-- allow an individual to continue education or employment.
An emergency medical need is deemed to exist if and only if dental services for which GA payment is requested are covered by GA (2622) and necessary to relieve pain, bleeding, or infection. The Division of Dental Services at the Vermont Department of Health shall determine whether dental services for which GA payment is requested addressed an emergency medical need at the time the dental services were provided.
An emergency medical is deemed to exist if and only if a prescribed drug for which GA payment is requested complies with the requirements of the pharmacy best practices and cost control program, and is not included in a classification on the department's list of noncovered drug classifications (2624).
Each applicant is required to explain the employment requirements to non-exempt individuals who are not present at the initial interview and to supply them with employment verification forms. Whenever possible, a non-exempt individual shall appear in person at the District Office at the time of each subsequent application.
Any individual who is included in the application and is not exempted under 2607.2 shall:
If any person not exempted from the employment requirements (2607.2) fails to meet any one of the above requirements, he/she and all individuals included in the application shall be ineligible.
Any individual included in the application shall be exempt from the employment requirements (2607.1) if such individual meets at least one of the following five exemption criteria:
When more than one individual in the GA household claims such responsibility, the determination as to whom shall be exempt will be made by the Department;
A pregnant woman with no other children is not exempt simply because of her pregnancy.
An individual who is pregnant or who has responsibility for care of a child who is age 3 or older but under age 18 may be exempt from the work requirement if that individual has not received General Assistance or Emergency Assistance in the previous sixty days.
Any individual claiming an exemption has the burden of proving such. The Department shall pay the reasonable expense of required medical examinations.
Active effort to seek employment pursuant to 2607.1 (b) is limited to the following:
A GA recipient to whom the work search applies and who is a mandatory Reach Up participant must cooperate with the requirements of any Reach Up program service, such as an individual or group job search activity, which Reach Up program staff deem appropriate for that participant.
Telephone contacts, reading newspaper ads, resume writing, contacts with friends and acquaintances, etc., although recognized as legitimate sources of leads toward employment, shall not be counted unless part of an employment counseling program recognized by DSW as enhancing employment opportunities. Out-of-state contacts with potential employers are not counted unless the potential employment is within commuting distance of the person's home.
A GA applicant who fails to meet an "active effort" criterion will be ineligible only until he/she fulfills the requirement.
The DSW worker shall verify as necessary the contacts specified by each applicant subject to the work search requirement. The application shall be denied for a 30-day period even when three job contacts are shown on the employment verification form, when the DSW worker has been notified by Reach Up Program staff that a mandatory Reach Up participant is not cooperating, or when, in the judgment of the DSW worker, the evidence of active effort to seek employment shows:
Income means the total gross sum of all monetary remunerations received from any source for any reason. See 2608.1 through 2608.6 for deductions and excluded income. The following list identifies some kinds and sources of income:
-- constitute the only income received in the last 30 days;
-- are based on a catastrophic situation (2602 or 2802); or
-- are issued for temporary housing (2613.2 or 2813.2) or rental or mortgage arrearage (2813.3).
Gross receipts shall include all monies received from the following:
-- sale of goods or commodities produced by the self-employment enterprise;
-- services performed in connection with and attributable to the enterprise; and
-- gross proceeds from the sale or transfer of capital assets used in or held as an investment by the enterprise (e.g., real estate, personal property, and securities).
All income received by all persons included in the applicant household shall be verified and shall be computed to arrive at the total gross income received during the 30-day period prior to the date of the application. The total allowable deductions ( section 2608.1 through 2608.6) shall be computed and subtracted from the total gross income to arrive at the total net income received during the 30-day period prior to the date of application. If total net income equals or exceeds the applicable income limit (2601 B), the application shall be denied unless the household is eligible because it has experienced a catastrophic situation (2602).
The applicant may be required to substantiate that income and resources have actually been spent. Amounts not accounted for shall be considered cash-on-hand.
To compute earned income used in determining eligibility for general assistance, an employment expense standard consisting of the first $ 90 of earned income shall be deducted from the 30-day gross earned income of each employed individual in lieu of actual employment expenses such as taxes, insurance, dues, clothing, and transportation.
In addition, deductions for garnishments against income, although mandatory on the employer, shall be limited to garnishments:
-- by the Internal Revenue Service for federal taxes;
-- by the state of Vermont for state taxes; and
-- for child and spousal support (see 2608.3).
Identifiable costs of self-employment, including self-employed farming, shall be deducted from gross receipts received in the 30-day period prior to the date of application. Identifiable costs of self-employment include but are not limited to the following:
The following items shall not be allowed as business expenses:
The applicant must provide positive proof of the child support payments. Check stub notations are not acceptable verification. In questionable situations contact with a knowledgeable third party, deemed reliable by the worker, may be necessary. If the payment cannot be verified the child support deduction shall not be allowed.
The cost of providing room and board shall be deducted from the gross income received in the last 30 days in the following amounts:
Service Provided | Deduction |
Per Person Per Day | |
room only | $ 1.00 |
board only | $ 2.00 |
room and board | $ 3.00 |
The deduction shall not exceed the amount of room and board payment received.
An applicant who provides room or board to three or more adult individuals unrelated to the applicant shall be considered to be operating a commercial enterprise and have deductions computed according to 2608.2.
Except as specified below, dependent care expenses necessary to enable individuals to retain their employment shall be deducted as paid in the previous 30 days up to the following maximum amounts per adult or child:
Dependent Needing Care | Maximum Deduction |
Per Dependent | |
child under age 2 | $ 200 |
child age 2-12 | $ 175 |
child age 13-17 who meets the criteria in Reach Up rule 2352 | $ 175 |
incapacitated adult | $ 175 |
Dependent care deductions will be allowed on the basis of a signed statement by the provider of services. If a recipient's dependent care expenses are below the maximum, transportation to and from the dependent care facility may be deducted as part of the expense at the mileage rate published in Reach Up procedures.
As long as funding for child care subsidies through the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) is available, Reach Up participants and PSE participants receiving a living expense stipend are not allowed a deduction for child care expenses because they qualify for the child care subsidy.
Certain kinds of income are excluded from consideration when determining income eligibility for general assistance. They are considered, however, in evaluating whether an emergency need exists.
These kinds of income include:
-- senior companion stipend,
-- fuel assistance benefits,
-- foster care payments from Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS), and
-- adoption assistance subsidies.
Other kinds of income are totally excluded, even in the consideration of an emergency need, including catastrophic situations. These include:
-- food stamps and food stamp cashout payments, as their use is dedicated exclusively to improvement of dietary standards; and
-- money that an SSI/AABD recipient sets aside for the fulfillment of a plan to achieve self-support (PASS plan).
During a 30-day period, benefits for emergency needs resulting from a non-catastrophic situation (2601) cannot exceed the difference between the applicable income limit, as defined in 2601 B, and the net income for that household computed according to 2608. This provision is only applicable if the household has received general assistance or emergency assistance in the previous 60 days. Catastrophic benefits received in the previous 30 days are not counted as income in the net income calculation referred to above.
Benefits for needs in sections 2611 through 2617 may be issued to the applicant or to the provider of the service.
The eligibility worker determines the appropriate method of payment after assessing the preference of the applicant and provider and the applicant household's ability to use the money for the designated need.
Vendor billing shall require prior written authorization by designated Department staff. In specified emergency situations, oral authorization may be given; in such instances, confirming written authorization or approval of a designated staff member shall be required for payment.
Itemized bills shall be submitted in duplicate to the appropriate district office, when so directed, for approval. All other bills, itemized, shall be submitted, in duplicate, accompanied by appropriate written authorization to the State Office. Payment shall be made through established Department and State disbursement channels.
Contracts with specified vendors to provide goods or services shall specify acceptable methods of authorization, billing and payment for items covered under the contract.
Groceries and personal needs include food and essential items for household and personal care, such as soap, toothpaste and such items as are normally purchased at a grocery outlet. General Assistance payment levels are based on current ANFC basic need standards reduced by a percentage necessary to avoid exceeding current GA funding. The following payment standard shall be used by District Directors and Town Service Officers to determine the amount of aid to be given for groceries and personal needs (see also 2614 - Room and Board-Restaurant Meals). Grocery and personal need allowances shall be issued, as needed from one to seven days. For applicant households exempt from the employment requirements allowances may be issued for up to 28 days as needed. Do not issue an allowance for any period covered by a previous issuance except when a condition exists as defined in 2602 (b) and (c).
No. in family | Groceries and personal needs allowance in dollars | ||||||
1 day | 2 days | 3 days | 4 days | 5 days | 6 days | 7 days | |
1 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 6.00 | 8.00 | 10.00 | 12.00 | 14.00 |
2 | 6.50 | 6.50 | 10.00 | 13.50 | 16.50 | 20.00 | 23.50 |
3 | 9.50 | 9.50 | 14.00 | 18.50 | 23.50 | 20.00 | 32.50 |
4 | 9.50 | 10.50 | 16.00 | 21.50 | 26.50 | 32.00 | 37.50 |
5 | 9.50 | 13.50 | 20.00 | 26.50 | 33.50 | 40.00 | 46.50 |
6 | 10.50 | 14.50 | 22.00 | 29.50 | 36.50 | 44.00 | 51.50 |
7 | 12.00 | 17.50 | 26.00 | 34.50 | 43.50 | 52.00 | 60.50 |
8 | 13.50 | 20.00 | 30.00 | 40.00 | 50.00 | 60.00 | 70.00 |
9 | 13.50 | 21.50 | 32.00 | 42.50 | 53.50 | 64.00 | 74.50 |
10 | 13.50 | 24.00 | 36.00 | 48.00 | 60.00 | 72.00 | 84.00 |
For each add'l person | 1.50 | 2.50 | 4.00 | 5.50 | 6.50 | 8.00 | 9.50 |
No. in family | Groceries and personal needs allowance in dollars | ||||||
8 days | 9 days | 10 days | 11 days | 12 days | 13 days | 14 days | |
1 | 16.00 | 18.00 | 20.00 | 22.00 | 24.00 | 26.00 | 28.00 |
2 | 26.50 | 30.00 | 33.50 | 36.50 | 40.00 | 43.50 | 47.00 |
3 | 37.50 | 42.00 | 46.50 | 51.50 | 56.00 | 60.50 | 65.00 |
4 | 42.50 | 48.00 | 53.50 | 58.50 | 64.00 | 69.50 | 75.00 |
5 | 53.50 | 60.00 | 66.50 | 73.50 | 80.00 | 86.50 | 93.00 |
6 | 58.50 | 66.00 | 73.50 | 80.50 | 88.00 | 95.50 | 103.00 |
7 | 69.50 | 78.00 | 86.50 | 95.50 | 104.00 | 112.50 | 121.00 |
8 | 80.00 | 90.00 | 100.00 | 110.00 | 120.00 | 130.00 | 140.00 |
9 | 85.50 | 96.00 | 106.50 | 117.50 | 128.00 | 138.50 | 149.00 |
10 | 96.00 | 108.00 | 120.00 | 132.00 | 144.00 | 156.00 | 168.00 |
For each add'l person | 10.50 | 12.00 | 13.50 | 14.50 | 16.00 | 17.50 | 19.00 |
Housing includes accommodations to provide permanent or temporary shelter for eligible applicants. Housing may include furnishings, fuel, and utilities. Applicants are required to furnish verification of housing expenses. Housing payments may be authorized only when the applicant cannot obtain housing without cost to the applicant, for example, housing supplied by relatives, friends, or community groups. Payment may be provided for rent, lot rent, mortgage, condo and association fees, water and sewer charges, fuel and utilities when included in the rent, but not taxes. A household in crisis requiring general assistance should be considered for tax abatement before a housing crisis would occur. An exception to this policy, relative to taxes, is that payment may be made on behalf of an otherwise eligible applicant, when foreclosure proceedings have been filed by the municipality to which the taxes are owed, and the proceedings are scheduled to take place within 30 calendar days. Payment shall be for the minimum amount necessary to prevent tax foreclosure.
Payment shall not exceed the housing payment maximum or the actual payment, whichever is less.
When more than one individual or family unit occupy the same housing unit, the payment per applicant household shall not exceed the housing payment maximum or the pro-rata share of the total rent or mortgage payment, whichever is less. The total rent or mortgage payment used to compute the pro-rata share shall not exceed three times the applicable housing payment maximum. Any amount exceeding this shall be disregarded in the computation.
The pro-rata share is computed by dividing the total, up to three times the maximum, by the number of individual or family units sharing the housing unit.
When a housing allowance for the period to be covered has been or will be included in the applicant's Reach Up financial assistance grant or Postsecondary Education Program living expense stipend, that allowance, after ratable reduction, shall be deducted from the applicant's general assistance grant.
Payment may be authorized for the current mortgage or rental period only and shall not be authorized or issued prior to the due date for that period. "Current period" is defined as the period extending from the most recent date that rent was due through the day prior to the next date that rent is due. For example, if an applicant applies for rental assistance on January 10 and his rent is due monthly on the first of the month, the current period is January 1 through January 31. No payment may be authorized for a period other than the current period. Payment may be made only if the applicant is financially and otherwise eligible on the date of application.
When both a rental arrearage and a continuing rental obligation exist, a rental payment made (or a failure to make a payment) during a given month will be considered for GA purposes as a payment (or failure to pay) for that month. Example: A GA applicant makes a $ 150 rent payment on January 1, which his landlord applies to his $ 450 arrearage. On January 5 the applicant requests GA for his January rent. His rent payment on January 1 is considered for GA purposes as payment toward the January rent due, regardless of the fact that his landlord chose to apply the payment to arrearages.
Room rent is paid according to different maximums depending on whether the applicant pays this rent to a relative or to a non-relative. The relative or non-relative status of the person or persons to whom the applicant pays room rent shall be determined according to definitions used in the ANFC Program. The following individuals shall meet the definition of "relative":
General Assistance payment levels are based on basic need standards updated to recognize cost of living increases but then ratably reduced by a percentage necessary to avoid exceeding current GA funding.
Shelter payment in the General Assistance Program is allowed as incurred up to, but not in excess of, the maximums precomputed as shown below.
Payment Maximums | ||||
Bi | Semi | |||
Housing Type | Weekly | Weekly | Monthly | Monthly |
Home Ownership or Rental | ||||
Chittenden County Only | $ 53.00 | $ 106.00 | $ 113.00 | $ 227.00 |
All Other Counties | $ 46.00 | $ 92.00 | $ 99.00 | $ 198.00 |
Room Rent - paid to non-relative | $ 40.00 (meals not supplied) | |||
Room Rent - paid to relative | $ 30.00 (meals not supplied) | |||
Living space shall not qualify as home ownership or rental unless it consists of at least two rooms, a private toilet facility, private entrance either from outside or a public hallway, and has or is equipped to accept cooking facilities. (The G.A. Supervisor may make written exception when the space has clearly been designed as an apartment but does not meet specific criteria as listed.)
A rented mobile home shall qualify as home rental. A mortgaged or owned mobile home shall qualify as home ownership. Lot rental, water, and sewer charges are included in the payment maximums.
Amounts paid for temporary housing shall not be added into amounts paid for permanent housing to arrive at the above maximums.
Room rent may be authorized for a period not to exceed one week, except that, when applicants are exempt from the employment requirements, it may be authorized for a two-week period.
Deposits or security payments shall not be authorized.
Authorization for temporary housing may be issued for periods of up to 28 days, at the Department's discretion. Payment may be authorized in an amount necessary to secure such housing at the least expensive rate available to the applicant at that time.
Temporary housing payments above the GA payment maximums will be allowed for only 84 days in any consecutive 12-month period. The 12-month period is computed from the date of application to the same day of the month 12 months prior. The 84-day period need not be consecutive. After the 84-day period, payments are allowed only up to the permanent housing payment maximum.
The 84-day temporary housing maximum is cumulative for the Emergency Assistance and General Assistance Programs. An applicant who has received 84 days in temporary housing under EA during a 12-month period is not eligible for any further temporary housing assistance under GA for the same 12-month period. Temporary housing beyond 28 cumulative days in any consecutive 12-month period is not an entitlement; payments shall cease upon expenditure of the annual appropriation for this purpose.
Housing authorizations in amounts above the GA payment maximums shall be discontinued as soon as permanent housing is located, or reduced if less expensive temporary housing becomes available while the applicant seeks permanent housing.
Deposits or security payments of any type shall not be authorized.
The Department shall make all possible effort to assist in the location of permanent housing for recipients located in temporary housing. The department shall inform recipients that they are primarily responsible, however, for locating permanent housing, and that if they do not make an active effort to locate permanent housing, or fail to accept suitable housing accommodations, even if in a location other than where they are situated , continued GA payment for temporary housing shall be denied.
The work search at rule 2630 is also required when it is a factor of eligibility for any member of the assistance household.
Applicants, without a member belonging to one of the above vulnerable populations, shall qualify for temporary housing, if all other eligibility criteria are met, if the household has a member belonging to a vulnerable population and has been assessed a total of 4 or more points according to the following point system:
Vulnerable Populaton Category | Points |
Diabled Veteran (as defined in 38 U.S.C. $S4211 | 1 |
Individual with an open case receiving services from the Family Servicse Division | 1 |
SSI or SSDI applicant with medical documentation of diability | 1 |
Child(ren) between the ages of 7 and 17 | 2 |
Individual discharged from a 48-hours or more inpaitient hospital stay, within the past 30 days, who has an ongoing medical need related to the hospitalization | 2 |
Individual over 18 years of age discharged from the custody of the deparment for children and families wihin the past 3 years | 1 |
Reach Up recipient | 1 |
Individual on probation or parole with the department of corrections who has been incarcerated for 12 consecutive months and release within the past 6 monts | 1 |
Applicant households shall be assigned points only once within any vulnerable population category.
Assistance shall not be authorized when appropriate shelter space is available. Available shelter space shall be deemed appropriate absent documentation that the shelter poses health or safety risks to a member of the applicant household.
Applicant households that have caused their own loss of housing within the past 6 months shall not be eligible for temporary housing. Examples of causing one's own loss of housing include, but are not limited to:
-- Court-ordered eviction, subject to the limitation set forth in rule 2621;
-- Voluntarily leaving one's housing, excluding constructive eviction as defined in rule 2622;
-- Denial of further accommodations at a shelter, motel, or similar establishment, for not following the rules of the establishment.
Recipient households who are denied further accommodations at a motel, or similar establishment, for not following the rules of the establishment shall be ineligible for temporary housing for 30 days following the last date housing assistance was received.
If verification of eligibility criteria cannot be obtained on the day of application, assistance may be authorized for no more than four days on a conditional basis pending verification. No more than four days of conditional assistance may be authorized within the 30-day period following the date of application.
Authorization for temporary housing may be issued for periods up to 28 days, at the Department's discretion.
Temporary housing payments will be allowed for only 28 days in any consecutive 12-month period. The 12-month period is computed from the date of application to the same day of the month 12 months prior. The 28-days need not be consecutive.
The 84-day housing maximum under rule 2652.2 is cumulative for assistance received under rules 2652.2 and 2652.3. An applicant who has received 84 days in temporary housing during a 12-.month period is not eligible for any further temporary housing assistance for the same 12-month period. Temporary housing for vulnerable populations is not an entitlement; payments shall cease upon expenditure of the annual appropriation for this purpose.
Eligibility workers shall explain to applicants that they are expected to take steps to avoid or resolve emergencies in the future without GA. Except for applicants who are receiving their final grant of assistance within a 12-month period, applicants and eligibility workers shall work together to develop a schedule of activities addressing the applicant's need for temporary housing. Completion of the activities is a requirement for continued receipt of assistance. These activities shall be documented in the applicant's case record.
Temporary housing applicant households with gross monthly household income greater than the Reach Up basic need standard for a household of the same size shall be required to contribute 30 percent of their gross household income toward the cost of temporary housing.
The following table contains the basic need standards by household size:
Household Size | Basic Need |
1 | $ 475 |
2 | $ 680 |
3 | $ 891 |
4 | $ 1064 |
5 | $ 1247 |
6 | $ 1372 |
7 | $ 1589 |
8 | $ 1769 |
9 or more | Add $ 170 for each additional person |
See rule 2602 for the definition of "applicant household."
The Department will apply the following method in calculating the 30 percent income contribution:
-- An applicant household with income received on the date of application will be required to house themselves for the number of days, rounded down to the nearest whole number, equal to 30 percent of the household income received on that day divided by the least expensive daily motel rate available in the district at that time.
-- An applicant household with no income received on the date of application, but that will be receiving income within the next 14 days, will be required to house themselves starting on the day the income is received for the number of days, rounded down to the nearest whole number, equal to 30 percent of their gross income for that payment cycle divided by the least expensive daily motel rate available in the district at that time.
If 30 percent of gross household income divided by the least expensive daily motel rate is less than 1, the household will not be required to contribute any income toward the cost of temporary housing.
District managers or their designees and town service officers shall authorize payment of reasonable costs of moving household furniture to a new location provided the need to move said furniture is the direct result of a catastrophic event. This includes moving costs in situations such as:
All potential alternatives and resources will be explored and the least expensive resolution of the problem will be utilized. This exploration would include disaster relief; help from friends, relatives or the community; and expedited payment of other program benefits.
A room and board allowance shall be authorized from one to seven days. For applicant households exempt from the employment requirements, allowances may be issued for up to 14 days as needed.
Room & Board Allowance:
$ 60.00 per week per person (if paid to non-relatives)
$ 40.00 per week per person (if paid to relatives)
For the definition of "relative" see 2601.
When an eligible recipient receives a room and board allowance, he/she shall also receive the following personal needs allowance based on the number of General Assistance recipients included in the allowance:
No. of GA Recipients | PNI Per Week |
1 | $ 2.00 |
2 or more | $ 3.00 maximum |
Purchase of heating equipment shall be authorized by the district director when such equipment cannot be otherwise, (for example, from donations from individuals or community groups, temporary loan Pending insurance settlement). Purchase shall be limited to the most serviceable and appropriate used item, if available, or new item (if a used item is not available) at the lowest cost.
Authorization of transportation shall be limited to transients determined eligible who need help to continue to their destination. Payment for the lowest cost public transportation to the applicant's destination shall be authorized as paid, as follows:
Necessary automobile expense to enable the applicant to continue his journey may be authorized as follows:
Fuel and utilities are such things as water, electricity, oil, gas, coal, wood, kerosene, etc., which provide space heating, hot water, refrigeration, cooking fuel and light for the home. Sewage disposal provided as a utility service and billed on a regular basis shall be considered a utility. For purposes of the General Assistance Program, fuel and utilities are classified according to two customary methods of delivery:
The amount of GA payment to applicants who are on a "budget plan" payment system for either metered or bulk delivery, shall equal the amount of the budget payment, even though the actual charge for service during that period is more than or less than the budget payment. A budget plan is an arrangement whereby a customer agrees in writing to pay a fixed amount for future consumption for a specified time period.
Payment for fuel and utilities may be authorized only when the conditions specified in the appropriate subsection are met.
Each recipient of GA emergency fuel or utility assistance shall be given the opportunity to have his name and address made available to the Weatherization Assistace Program as a potential recipient of a home energy audit and subsequent referral for weatherization service.
Companies usually bill customers for a billing period which corresponds to a monthly period or a bi-monthly period. In unusual circumstances it may be necessary to contact a company representative to ascertain the portion of a bill which is equivalent to the company's normal billing period.
In areas where quarter meters (25 [cent]) are utilized it will be necessary to contact a company representative to determine anticipated consumption. Payment may be authorized in an amount necessary to continue quarter meter service for up to seven days.
A deposit may be paid provided a deposit is legally collectible under Public Service Board rules and the amount does not exceed two-twelfths of the reasonable estimated charge for service for the ensuing twelve months. The company must be advised that the deposit is to be credited and refunded to the Department of Social Welfare in accordance with the company's usual refund policy and that deposit refunds inadvertently made to the recipient will not constitute settlement of the refund obligation to the Department.
A reconnection charge may be paid provided service has been interrupted and the amount charged is the same for all customers.
A new account charge may be paid provided the company is authorized by Public Service Board rules to collect a new account charge. A new account is generally defined as a request for service for the first time, a name change on a meter or a new meter as a result of a change of location.
Some companies are authorized under Public Service Board rules to collect "deferred charges", "purchased energy charges", "temporary charges" and similar charges. Some of these "charges" may appear as credits on the bill during the period such "charge" is incurred. Even though these charges may appear as credits (and are not technically due) they must be included in the GA payment if they were incurred during the period being approved.
Charges for either purchase or rental of equipment, appliances, space or water heaters, outdoor lighting, or installation, service, and repair charges shall not be paid by General Assistance except as authorized specifically in other sections of the manual.
Payment shall not be authorized for charges for: previous deliveries; deposits for any item or reason; a new account charge; purchase or rental of storage tanks or containers, space or water heaters, furnaces, equipment or applicance, or installation, service, cleaning and repair charges except as specifically authorized under other sections of this manual.
Except in unusual circumstances, the volume and amount charged, and delivery time and date, must be established through the provider in advance of the transaction. Charges for off-hour or off-schedule delivery are allowable only when permitted under Vermont law and applicable PSB regulations and the amount charged is the same for all customers. Every effort should be made to avoid these charges whenever possible.
The types of medical care covered for applicants meeting the eligibility criteria in 2602, 2602.1, and 2602.3 for eligibility due to a catastrophic situation and the general eligibility criteria in 2603 and 2604 are limited to:
-- physician services (as further limited in 2621),
-- dental services, (as further limited in 2622),
-- vision services and items (as further limited in 2623),
-- prescription drugs (as specified in 2624),
-- medical supplies (as defined and further limited in 2625),
-- durable medical equipment (as defined and further limited in 2626), and
-- ambulance transportation (as further limited in 2627).
Other types of medical care (e.g., hospital services, other transportation, visiting nurses) and payment of premiums for private or government-sponsored health insurance are not covered. For purposes of GA rules, premium is defined as it is defined in Vermont Medicaid rules. Premium means a nonrefundable charge that must be paid by an applicant or beneficiary as a condition of initial and ongoing enrollment for health insurance. Routine examinations and treatment are not covered by GA because they do not address emergency medical needs.
For applicants who are beneficiaries under Medicaid, VHAP or another government-sponsored health care coverage program, the prior authorization requirements for that program, if any, apply equally to coverage for medical care under GA. GA payment is limited to providers enrolled in the Medicaid program.
The department shall pay for medical care with GA only if application is made within the following time frames:
-- before receipt of the care,
-- up to 30 days after the original billing date for care received, or
-- within 30 days from the notice date on denial of eligibility by Medicaid, VHAP, or other government-sponsored health care coverage for reasons other than those specified in 2602 (4).
When application is made within 30 days from the notice date on denial of eligibility by Medicaid, VHAP, or other government-sponsored health care coverage for reasons other than those specified in 2602 (4), the application date for health care coverage shall be considered the application date for GA, and the GA application shall cover the full period during which the application for health care coverage was pending.
The department shall determine the applicant's eligibility for GA payment of medical care based on the applicant's circumstances on the date of application, not on the date the care is received.
Requests for payment from providers of medical care shall not be considered applications for GA.
Payment to providers may not exceed the amount set forth in the fee schedule used in the Vermont Medicaid Program. Vermont law ( 33 V.S.A. § 6501-6508) prohibits balance billing, which is charging or collecting from the recipient any amount in excess of the reasonable charge for the service, defined as the amount in the fee schedule.
The following physician services are not covered by GA:
-- cosmetic surgery,
-- experimental surgery,
-- sterilization,
-- fertility services,
-- acupuncture, and
-- massage therapy.
Covered dental services to relieve pain, bleeding, and infection are limited to:
-- examinations;
-- diagnostic radiographs of the symptomatic area;
-- sedative fillings;
-- therapeutic pulpotomy;
-- extraction of infected and symptomatic teeth;
-- incision and drainage of abscess; and
-- minor procedures for the emergency palliative treatment of dental pain.
No payment shall be made for replacement of missing teeth or dentures.
Eyeglass frames or lenses meeting an emergency medical need are covered only if purchased through the department's authorized supplier.
To receive GA payment for prescription drugs, including over-the-counter drugs prescribed by a physician, providers are required to comply with the requirements of the department's pharmacy best practices and cost control program, as implemented through its pharmacy benefit manager. The program, designed to reduce the cost of providing prescription drugs while maintaining high quality in prescription drug therapies, includes a preferred list of covered prescription drugs identifying preferred choices within therapeutic classes for particular diseases and conditions and utilization review procedures.
No payment shall be made for drugs in drug classifications not covered by GA. Such drug classifications are not covered because none of the drugs in those classifications is ever appropriately prescribed to address an emergency medical need (2602.3), in the department's judgment. GA payment shall be made for drugs in classifications other than those on the not-covered list, as long as they comply with the requirements of the pharmacy best practices and cost control program. These payments shall be made even if the likelihood of an emergency is small or the drug has not been prescribed to address an emergency need.
The department's list of drug classifications not covered by GA will be made available at the website for the Office of Vermont Health Access or in paper form upon request.
Payment shall not be authorized for items to be used in a hospital or nursing home.
Medical supplies are nondurable items customarily used in conjunction with the care or treatment of a specific illness, injury, or disability.
Durable medical equipment is equipment that arrests, alleviates, or retards a medical condition and is:
-- used primarily and customarily to serve a medical purpose;
-- able to withstand repeated use;
-- generally not useful to a person in the absence of an illness, injury, or disability; and
-- suitable for use in the home and in the community.
The following durable medical equipment is not covered by GA because it does not address emergency medical needs:
* air cleaners
* dehumidifiers
* patient lifts
* exercise equipment
* message devices
* speech teaching machines
The following durable items are not covered by GA to address an emergency medical need because they do not meet the definition of durable medical equipment:
* air conditioners
* heating plants
* elevators
* saunas
* bathroom scales
. car seats not designed specifically for medical purposes
* equipment prescribed for education or vocational purposes;
* toys
* whirlpool pumps
Ambulance services that meet the definition of a medical emergency need may be covered. Transportation of a hospital inpatient to another facility for outpatient services is never a covered ambulance service because it is not an emergency medical need.
When a person dies without sufficient known assets to pay for burial, a state institution, a town of domicile, or the department may be responsible for paying burial expenses.
The department is responsible for paying the burial expenses of a person when the person:
-- Titles IV or XVI of the Social Security Act,
-- nursing home care under Title XIX of the Social Security Act,
-- state aid to the aged, blind or disabled; or
All payments made by the department for burial expenses are subject to the limitations specified in 2644 and 2646.
The state institution is responsible for the burial of a person who is without sufficient known assets to pay for burial and dies while an inmate of the state institution.
The town is responsible for the burial of persons who die in their town of domicile, are without sufficient known assets, and do not qualify for burial paid by the department (see A 3 above). The department shall reimburse a town up to $ 250.00 for burial expenses incurred.
(10/28/10, 10-08)
For purposes of rules 2670 through 2677, "burial" means the final disposition of human remains, including, interring or cremating a decedent and the ceremonies directly related to that cremation or interment at the gravesite. "Funeral" means the ceremonies prior to burial by interment, cremation, or other method.
The department shall make the decision on eligibility and level of payment; and shall be responsible for making the burial arrangements in situations where no relative, friend, or interested person is available. Unless the decedent or the decedent's family has expressly requested an alternative arrangement, the decedent's body shall be cremated. It is not the policy of the department to make bodies available for the advancement of anatomical science in those instances when no family or friends are known. Autopsies are performed only under regulations of the State pathologist, who pays related expenses.
(10/28/10, 10-08)
The department will cooperate with the funeral director, other agencies and persons to obtain information to determine in a specific instance whether or not the department will be responsible for all or part of the payment of burial expenses.
(10/28/10, 10-08)
Eligibility for department financial participation in burial expenses shall be approved when all of the following requirements are met:
Payment of burial expenses shall not be issued until a full accounting of burial expenses and resources has been completed and the department has determined that the burial fulfills the provisions at rule 2676, Payment for Burial, and payments made will not exceed the maximum prescribed in procedures section P-2690.
(10/28/10, 10-08)
The department will pay no more than the maximum specified in Procedures at P-2690 for burial expenses for an eligible individual. If available resources of the deceased and the surviving spouse (2675) equal or exceed the maximum payment, the department will not pay any burial expenses. This provision does not preclude the funeral director from accepting contributions from other individuals toward burial and funeral expenses.
Any change in the dollar amount specified in Procedures P-2690 for the Maximum Payment for Burial Expenses that represents an increase relative to the dollar amount that immediately precedes the change shall be carried out via a procedures change. Any change in the dollar amount specified in Procedures P-2690 for the Maximum Payment for Burial Expenses that represents a decrease relative to the dollar amount that immediately precedes the change shall be accomplished only by following the Administrative Procedures Act process for regulatory changes.
(10/28/10, 10-08)
Payment will be denied if the available resources of the deceased and surviving spouse equal or exceed the maximum payment for burial expenses. "Available resources" are "total resources" less a $ 255 disregard.
The department representative will explore the existence and availability of all resources. Since many death benefits are negotiable by a surviving spouse or other individual, it is essential that a clear understanding exists that such benefits shall be deducted from the allowable expenses in accordance with the provisions for payment.
Liquid or available resources include, but are not limited to, the following: stocks, bonds, cash on hand or in a bank or other financial institution, lump sum death benefits, proceeds of life insurance policies, and employee death benefits. Such resources are available to pay burial expenses and must be treated in accordance with the section on provisions for payment. Available resources shall not include contributions that family, other than the deceased's spouse, or friends provide to the funeral director.
When the deceased individually owns real or personal property (other than the above), the value of which exceeds the total cost of burial, the request for burial payment shall be denied if there was no surviving spouse or dependent children residing with the deceased at the time of his or her death. If the value of such real or personal property does not exceed the total cost of burial, it shall be disregarded.
(10/28/10, 10-08)
Contributions from friends or relatives may be used to pay burial expenses not paid by the department, the deceased, or the surviving spouse.
Available resources of the deceased and surviving spouse shall be applied against those expenses for which the department would be responsible for the purpose of reducing the maximum payment for burial expenses. If the surviving spouse contributes all or some of the $ 255 in excluded resources to burial expenses, the contribution shall not be applied against those expenses for which the department would be responsible.
Towns and funeral directors requesting reimbursement for burial expenses under Vermont law must do so on the appropriate departmental billing form. Reimbursement to a town is made on an "as paid" basis up to a maximum of $ 250.00 for total burial expenses.
(10/28/10, 10-08)
Payment shall be authorized only when an itemized accounting of specific burial expenses that are to be provided at public expense is received at State Office on the appropriate billing form that includes the signatures of the funeral director and the party making the funeral arrangements.
"On or before April 15 of each year the selectmen shall eppoint a town service officer and notify the commissioner of their appointment. A town service officer may be appointed to serve more than one town. A selectman may be a town service officer. The commissioner shall give him a certificate of appointment and contract for his compensation. If the selectmen fail to appoint a town service officer the commissioner may do so. In the absence of the town service officer any selectman may act in his behalf." (VSA 3002.)
The duties of town service officers are to receive applications for emergency General Assistance when the district welfare office is closed or when an immediate visit to the district office is impossible for the applicant. The town service officer may perform other duties under the welfare code as the commissioner may direct. The town service officers work under the direction of the District Director who will provide necessary training, forms, procedure material, and approval of compensation.
Town service officers shall determine the eligibility of applicants by determining the applicant's available income and resources and establishing the applicant's need.
The applicant must furnish necessary information to determine eligibility and supply, or permit, appropriate verification. Applicants who have available income and/or resources equal to the amount of the emergency need are not eligible for payment.
An applicant who does not have available income and/or resources may be granted payment for food, housing, fuel and utilities, emergency medical care, and other items, according to the limits set forth in the following subsections.
Town Service Officers are authorized to issue payments for up to 4 days. If the applicant will have needs beyond 4 days, the applicant should be advised to visit the district office. If it is impossible for such applicant to visit the district office within 4 days, the town service officer should contact the District Director so that satisfactory arrangements may be completed.
Town Service Officers may provide assistance only on a vendor authorization form (DSW-292). Town Service Officers will not be reimbursed for cash given to applicants.
Groceries
Number in Family
No. of Days | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | For each add'l person |
1 | 3.00 | 5.00 | 6.00 | 7.00 | 7.00 | 8.00 | 9.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 1.00 |
2 | 3.00 | 5.00 | 7.00 | 8.00 | 10.00 | 11.00 | 13.00 | 15.00 | 16.00 | 18.00 | 2.00 |
3 | 4.50 | 7.50 | 10.50 | 12.00 | 15.00 | 16.50 | 19.50 | 22.50 | 24.00 | 27.00 | 3.00 |
4 | 6.00 | 10.00 | 14.00 | 16.00 | 20.00 | 22.00 | 26.00 | 30.00 | 32.00 | 36.00 | 4.00 |
If, however, the applicant does not have available income and resources, and is actually without a housing accommodation, payment may be authorized on a vendor authorization form (DSW 292) in an amount necessary to secure housing until the district office is open. Payment shall not be issued for housing for more than 4 days.
Payment may be issued if the applicant does not have available income and resources or credit, and:
- is without fuel or utilities.
- does not have sufficient supply on hand to last until the district office is open,
- has or will have metered service disconnected while the district office is closed.
The amount to be issued should be sufficient to last until applicant can visit the district office, or the minimum necessary to maintain continued metered service. Payment shall not be authorized if the provider will extend credit to the applicant.
Payment may be authorized on a vendor authorization form (DSW 292) in the necessary amount.
Payment may be made on a vendor authorization form (DSW 292) in the amount necessary. If the amount cannot be determined, write "According to Medicaid Fee Schedule" on Vendor authorization form (DSW 292).
13-260 Code Vt. R. 13-170-260-X
October 1, 2008 Secretary of State Rule Log #08-040 [Bulletin #08-20; amended, renumbered and reorganized, see rule 13 170 000 for prior history and section conversion table.]
AMENDED:
October 28, 2010 Secretary of State Rule Log #10-037; March 28, 2015 Secretary of State Rule Log #15-010
STATUTORY AUTHORITY:
33 V.S.A. §§ 105, 1901, 2103