While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the LIHEAP program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as Food Stamps, helps eligible low-income individuals and families buy the food they need to stay healthy in the form of monthly benefits.
SNAP uses Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to distribute the benefits.
The Vermont SNAP food assistance program, known as 3SquaresVT, is administered by the Vermont Department of Children and Families. Learn more about SNAP on the Vermont Department of Children and Families website here.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, SNAP benefits can be used to purchase approved food items. These include:
See a more comprehensive list of what you can buy with SNAP benefits here and a list of approved snacks and meal supplements here.
There are also food items that cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits, including alcoholic beverages and hot prepared food. See a comprehensive list of what you cannot buy with SNAP benefits here.
SNAP provides monthly benefits, known as an allotment, to eligible households. The allotment amount you can receive is based on 1) the number of people in your household and 2) your household income.
To calculate your allotment amount, multiply your household’s net income by 0.3 and then subtract that number from the federal maximum monthly benefit amount in the table below.
| Household Number | Federal Maximum Allotment Per Month |
| 1 | $291 |
| 2 | $535 |
| 3 | $766 |
| 4 | $973 |
| 5 | $1,155 |
| 6 | $1,386 |
| 7 | $1,532 |
| 8 | $1,751 |
| Each additional household member | +219 |
You have one year (365 days) to use your allotment or the benefits on your EBT card will be canceled.
To learn more about your benefit amount in Vermont, click here.
To qualify for SNAP in Vermont, you must meet the following requirements:
Learn more about Vermont’s income limits and other eligibility criteria here.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known as the Vermont 3SquareVT program, helps families buy the food they need to stay healthy. If you are in need of food assistance and wish to apply to SNAP, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the income limits here and personal eligibility requirements to receive SNAP benefits here.
Find a list of what you need to apply on the application here.
To apply for SNAP online, create an account on Vermont’s Assistance Portal here and fill out the SNAP application.
To apply for SNAP by mail, print and complete the application here or call 1 (800) 479-6151 to request a paper application. Then, mail the form to:
DCF - Economic Services Division
Application and Document Processing Center
280 State Drive
Waterbury, VT 05671-1500
You may also pick up a paper application at one of the ESD offices listed here.
If you have any questions about the application process, call 1 (800) 479-6151. This line is available Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:15 PM.
Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:
If you applied for SNAP online, by mail or in person, you will most likely receive a call from the Department of Children and Families for a brief interview to determine your eligibility (in some cases an interview is not necessary, but the department will call to warn you beforehand if you need to undergo the interview process).
After you complete the interview process, you will receive a notice in the mail from the Department of Children and Families with your determination and benefit amount. If you are approved, you will then receive your EBT card in the mail within 14 days of your determination letter.
Once you receive your EBT card, you can use it to purchase items that are approved by SNAP at groceries and retail stores that accept EBT transactions. Learn about what you can purchase with SNAP here.
SNAP benefits are replenished each month that you are a member of the program. To check the balance of your EBT card, call the number on the back of your card or 1 (800) 914-8605. You can also check your balance online here.
If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the Vermont Department of Children and Families, you can appeal your decision in person or by mail within 60 days of receiving your determination letter
You can file an appeal for a Fair Hearing online, by mail, by phone or through email.
To file an appeal online, log in here, and click on “My Requests.”
To file a request by phone, call Vermont Health Connect at 1 (855) 899-9600.
To request a fair hearing by mail, you will need to write a letter that includes the following information:
You must also enclose a copy of your determination letter when filing an appeal by mail and send all necessary documentation to:
Vermont Health Connect
280 State Dr.
Waterbury, VT 05671
To send your appeal request by email, attach the same letter you need to write to send by mail and submit it to the following address: AHS.DVHAHealthCareAppealsTeam@vermont.gov.
If you have any questions about the appeals process, visit the Vermont Health Connect Appeals page here.
You can check the balance of your EBT card by calling the number on the back of your card or 1 (800) 914-8605. You can also check your balance online here.
Learn more information about EBT cards and how to use your benefits on the Vermont Department of Children and Families EBT card page here.
If you have lost your EBT card and require a replacement, call Vermont’s EBT customer service number at 1 (800) 914-8605.
You cannot obtain a replacement EBT card in person at an Economic Services Division (ESD) office in Vermont.
For more answers to common questions related to EBT cards, click here.
For help with obtaining SNAP benefits, or for any further questions about your application, call the Vermont Department of Children and Families at 1 (800) 479-6151. This line is available Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:15 PM.
If you wish to send documents or information physically to the Department of Children and Families Economic Services Division, use the following mailing address:
Economic Services Division (ESD)
280 State Drive
Waterbury, VT 05671-1020
You can also visit or call a local district office for further assistance. Find your nearest location here. Local ESD offices are usually open Monday through Friday from 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM. Please call ahead to confirm when your local district office is open, as these times may differ.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Food Stamps program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Food Stamps Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, requirements for program eligibility, and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.
Last Updated: February 2, 2024
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known as the Vermont 3SquareVT program, helps families buy the food they need to stay healthy. If you are in need of food assistance and wish to apply to SNAP, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the income limits here and personal eligibility requirements to receive SNAP benefits here.
Find a list of what you need to apply on the application here.
To apply for SNAP online, create an account on Vermont’s Assistance Portal here and fill out the SNAP application.
To apply for SNAP by mail, print and complete the application here or call 1 (800) 479-6151 to request a paper application. Then, mail the form to:
DCF - Economic Services Division
Application and Document Processing Center
280 State Drive
Waterbury, VT 05671-1500
You may also pick up a paper application at one of the ESD offices listed here.
If you have any questions about the application process, call 1 (800) 479-6151. This line is available Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:15 PM.
Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:
If you applied for SNAP online, by mail or in person, you will most likely receive a call from the Department of Children and Families for a brief interview to determine your eligibility (in some cases an interview is not necessary, but the department will call to warn you beforehand if you need to undergo the interview process).
After you complete the interview process, you will receive a notice in the mail from the Department of Children and Families with your determination and benefit amount. If you are approved, you will then receive your EBT card in the mail within 14 days of your determination letter.
Once you receive your EBT card, you can use it to purchase items that are approved by SNAP at groceries and retail stores that accept EBT transactions. Learn about what you can purchase with SNAP here.
SNAP benefits are replenished each month that you are a member of the program. To check the balance of your EBT card, call the number on the back of your card or 1 (800) 914-8605. You can also check your balance online here.
If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the Vermont Department of Children and Families, you can appeal your decision in person or by mail within 60 days of receiving your determination letter
You can file an appeal for a Fair Hearing online, by mail, by phone or through email.
To file an appeal online, log in here, and click on “My Requests.”
To file a request by phone, call Vermont Health Connect at 1 (855) 899-9600.
To request a fair hearing by mail, you will need to write a letter that includes the following information:
You must also enclose a copy of your determination letter when filing an appeal by mail and send all necessary documentation to:
Vermont Health Connect
280 State Dr.
Waterbury, VT 05671
To send your appeal request by email, attach the same letter you need to write to send by mail and submit it to the following address: AHS.DVHAHealthCareAppealsTeam@vermont.gov.
If you have any questions about the appeals process, visit the Vermont Health Connect Appeals page here.
You can check the balance of your EBT card by calling the number on the back of your card or 1 (800) 914-8605. You can also check your balance online here.
Learn more information about EBT cards and how to use your benefits on the Vermont Department of Children and Families EBT card page here.
If you have lost your EBT card and require a replacement, call Vermont’s EBT customer service number at 1 (800) 914-8605.
You cannot obtain a replacement EBT card in person at an Economic Services Division (ESD) office in Vermont.
For more answers to common questions related to EBT cards, click here.
For help with obtaining SNAP benefits, or for any further questions about your application, call the Vermont Department of Children and Families at 1 (800) 479-6151. This line is available Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:15 PM.
If you wish to send documents or information physically to the Department of Children and Families Economic Services Division, use the following mailing address:
Economic Services Division (ESD)
280 State Drive
Waterbury, VT 05671-1020
You can also visit or call a local district office for further assistance. Find your nearest location here. Local ESD offices are usually open Monday through Friday from 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM. Please call ahead to confirm when your local district office is open, as these times may differ.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Food Stamps program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Food Stamps Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, requirements for program eligibility, and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.
Last Updated: February 2, 2024