WATERBURY — The federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 ends extra 3SquaresVT benefits in March 2023.
According to a news release from the Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF), the extra 3SquaresVT payment, officially called “emergency maximum allotment,” has been a temporary increase from the federal government to help those affected by the pandemic and did not permanently change a household's monthly benefit.
This extra help began in March 2020 due to the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act and have reached over 40,000 Vermont households including over 68,000 individuals. To date, Vermont has issued over $175 million in emergency payments. This additional federal funding has supplemented food budgets during the pandemic.
3SquaresVT households have received information by mail on the forthcoming changes. Starting in April, recipients will still receive their regular 3SquaresVT benefit on the 1st of each month. There will be no second payment later in the month.
3SquaresVT households are encouraged to contact Economic Services Division's (ESD) Benefits Service Center at 800-479-6151 to report changes that may increase their monthly benefit, such as decrease in income or increase in out-of-pocket medical or child care expenses.
Recipients do not need to take action. Those who already receive the maximum benefit do not need to report new changes until completing the interim Report or Recertification. Without the extra allotment, the benefit amount is based on income and reportable expenses.
Those receiving benefits must make sure ESD has up-to-date information. A Change Report Form can be found at bit.ly/702-3squares and can be uploaded at bit.ly/702-doc. For assistance filling out these forms, call (toll-free) 855-855-6181 or email [email protected].
Recipients may visit local ESD District Offices in person, listed at dcf.vermont.gov/esd/contact/districts. Those over 6o may call The Helpline for assistance at 800-642-5119.
For more help with food, contact these resources:
• Stretch your 3SquaresVT benefit by getting an additional $20 in Crop Cash for fruits and vegetables at a local farmers market. Find a market near you at bit.ly/702-crop.
• Pregnant women and parents of kids under the age of 5 who receive 3SquaresVT qualify for WIC. Learn more at healthvermont.gov/family/wic, call 800-464-4343, or text VTWIC at 855-11.
• People over 60 can get a box of food monthly through the Vermont Foodbank. Call 800-214-4648 or email [email protected] to learn more. Also, pick-up meals or home delivery - Meals on Wheels - are available. Call the helpline at 800-642-5119 for more information.
• For meals for children 18 and under, call 211 or visit the USDA Meal Finder.
• Visit vermontfoodhelp.com to learn more about 3SquaresVT, or visit bit.ly/702-meals.