In these times when stretching budgets is a challenge, Vermont Public Television’s “Public Square” special for the month will highlight under-used programs that can help. The call-in show, airing Thursday, Feb. 25, at 8 p.m., will provide information on 3SquaresVT (formerly food stamps), free meals for school-age children and the Earned Income Tax Credit.

With the price of fuel oil creeping up, and the thermometer dropping, Vermont’s Congressional delegation is asking President Barack Obama to release $590 million in emergency home heating assistance to help low-income Americans get through the winter.

Update on Thursday, January 21, 2010 at 04:50PM by VCF Staff

The federal government is giving Vermont about $1.8 million in emergency home heating assistance, but the state's congressional delegation says it should be more.

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The federal government's poverty level guidelines will drop in 2010 for possibly the first time ever, changing the qualifications for a host of programs ranging from state-subsidized health insurance to food stamps.

The reduction in what the federal government considers poverty could result in Vermonters either losing benefits they now receive or seeing a decrease in their subsidies depending on their annual household income. Link to full article

Update on Monday, December 21, 2009 at 11:07AM by VCF Staff

Vermont’s congressional delegation welcomed provisions included in a defense appropriations bill sent to President Barack Obama on Saturday that ensure a strong safety net for low-income Vermonters and promise research jobs to the state.

The safety net provisions included a freeze on the poverty level index, which was scheduled to drop Jan. 1. The drop would have affected Supplemental Nutrition Assistance benefits, Medicaid and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families.

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An article in the Bennington Banner reports that "a sharp rise in calls on Vermont’s 211 Help Line reflects the depth of the recession in the state." The 211 Line, run by the United Ways of Vermont, provides assistance to Vermont residents who need it - whether for food, clothing, employment, housing, or utility services.

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Click for more information on Vermont 211

Brattleboro Reformer reports that "a year-old program trying to get Vermonters to tighten their homes against the winter chill is planning a series of workshops this fall. Button Up Vermont is asking towns around the state to host one of its home energy savings workshops. The program is planning to visit 100 towns but says slots are filling up fast. Town energy committees, educational centers, civic groups, are being asked to host two-hour workshops. Topics will include where buildings lose heat, how to seal air leaks and other conservation measures."

Those seeking information can contact Diana Peduzzi at 802 279-1708.

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Vermont Public Radio reports that "the state of Vermont is considering increasing the amount that employers pay into the fund that pays unemployment benefits." The proposed increase would double the amount employers pay into the fund and would increase the amount by 250 percent by 2011. According to Labor Commissioner Patricia Moulton Powden, "It is a bad time to be increases the charge, but to do nothing would make the situation worse." Indeed "without the increase, the fund is projected to run out of money within a year." In the meantime, "Vermont's Congressman Peter Welch says a stimulus package now making its way through Congress could deliver between 6 and 15 million-dollars to bolster unemployment insurance coverage in Vermont."

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Vermont Public Radio reports that "Douglas administration officials say Vermont's economic downturn means they need to spend more on human services programs even as some of those programs are facing cuts." Currently, "growing case loads in public assistance and other human services programs make up the bulk of nearly $17 million in additional spending the administration is seeking in this year's budget adjustment bill. Even with the new spending, the administration says Vermont needs to trim welfare benefits for some recipients, as well as seeking savings in Medicaid."

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Vermont Public Radio reports that "changes to the income and savings restrictions of [food stamp] beneficiaries will allow more people to apply for the [food stamp] federal program." According to Joanne Heidkampwith the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger, "The expansion will help both needy Vermonters and the economy." Currently, "the number of Vermonters relying on food stamps has jumped to a record high of more than 60,000 residents, up 7,000 from last year."

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Vermont Public Radio reports that "state officials estimate that more than 40 thousand Vermonters will apply for low income heating assistance this winter." According to Fuel Assistance Director Richard Moffi, "The combination of higher prices and a downturn in the state economy is driving an increased demand for the program." He added, "It's a real solid indicator of how worried people are about staying warm this winter even with high fuel prices and the state of the economy even though prices have come down from the summer time highs anything over $2 a gallon is a budget buster for a low income families and folks on fixed income."  Notably forty percent of the program's clients are "elderly or disabled and they're living on a fixed income Social Security or disability benefits."

"The good news is that the federal government this fall doubled its appropriation for the program when heating oil prices topped four dollars a gallon." As a result, the state has "increase[d] the average fuel assistance benefit to roughly $1,700 - that's almost $400 higher than last year."

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Vermont Public Radio reports that according to statistics released by the Federal Highway Administration, "Vermonters have cut back on driving by more than any other state but one." Indeed "in Vermont, the number of highway miles driven for the month was down 7.9 percent. Only South Carolina was down more, at 8.4 percent. Maine was third at 7.5 percent." Overall, "American motorists drove 10.7 billion fewer miles in September than they did for the same month last year. That's a decline of 4.4 percent." Maine Deputy Transportation Commissioner Greg Nadeu explained that "the decline in the northern New England states is probably greater than the nation as a whole because the region is rural and people are more reliant on their cars to get places."

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The Brattleboro Reformer reports that "Vermont 2-1-1 saw a big increase in calls this past October, but is keeping up with the high demand for assistance." Vermont 2-1-1 is a service provided by the United Way of Vermont that is "equipped to help Vermont residents with almost any issue including child care needs, housing, food and drug and alcohol problems."Through the service, "Vermonters who pick up the phone and dial 211 will receive help when it comes to getting in touch with the local agencies that can assist them." Notably, "in October, 2,382 calls were made to Vermont 2-1-1, the second highest call volume ever in a given month. Referrals for basic needs (food, housing/shelter, material goods, temporary financial aid and transportation) hit an all time high and continue to run higher than any other category."

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Vermont Public Radio reports that the Rutland County Humane Society officials will "no longer accept cats or kittens at their shelter" this winter because of "an overflow linked to the worsening economy." Indeed, the Pittsford shelter is "designed to hold about 90 cats" and currently has about 150. "That prompted executive director Gretchen Goodman to temporarily put a halt to cat adoptions Thursday." According to Goodman, "27 cats came into the shelter last weekend alone" and "the economic downturn is driving people to get rid of their pets."

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The Brattleboro Reformer reports that "with the cold weather rapidly approaching, local agencies are doing everything in their power to ensure no Vermonter goes without heat this winter." For example, "the Vermont Administration and Legislature recently announced the expansion of the state's Seasonal Fuel Assistance Program to cover 3,652 more households"; Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA) is "doing everything it can to come up with innovative solutions by 'expanding fund raising efforts for crisis fuel funds'"; and the Windham Regional Commission is "working to keep people warm this winter as well [by] combining efforts with other area agencies to solve potential problems." Meanwhile at the state level, "the Agency of Human Services has began working closely with Vermont Emergency Management on how to handle heating emergencies such as a landlord unable to get oil delivered." In addition, "they are assessing different potential shelters and determining which ones could be used in a small crisis of that kind."

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TheBrattleboro Reformer reports that Kids Are Priority One's organizing director Kim Friedman said that "more resources and attention could be invested in Vermont's early childhood system to make sure providers are getting the support they need" and to "raise questions about oversight and the systems" in place. Friedman's comments follow the arrest of a Guilford day care provider earlier this month. The provider Diane Wood was "arrested on Oct. 3 and charged with four counts of criminal restraint and cruelty to a child under the age of 10 after Vermont State Police allegedly found four children locked in a shed outside her day care center." According to police,Wood was "hiding the children in the shed because she was caring for more children than her home day care registration allowed." Currently, "home day care providers can have up to six full-time young children, and another four school-aged children on a part-time basis... Friedman wondered if the allowable limit is too high for one person" and alsosaid that "more can be done for parents so they know the laws and limits and can report providers who run afoul of the law."

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The Brattleboro Reformer reports that the Windham County Head Fund was started by Richard Davis and former state representative Daryl Pillsbury five years ago as "a way to raise local funds to supplement the federal and state money that goes toward helping low-income people purchase heating fuel." The group works closely with local social service agencies and aims to ensure that anyone who truly needs help finds and gets suppot. Last year, the Fund "gave out about $23,000 to local residents," and this year, the Fund is hoping to raise $50,000 to "meet the rising need brought on by high fuel prices and tough economic conditions."

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