When disasters hit,
Vermonters come together to help.

Seasonal Fuel Assistance: 

If your household income is at 185% of the Federal Poverty Level or below, and you need help purchasing heating fuel (oil, kerosene, propane, natural gas, wood, pellets, electric, coal), apply now through the Economic Services Division https://dcf.vermont.gov/benefi... OR You can apply with the help of your regional Community Action Agency. Find it here: https://vermontcap.org/find-he...

crisis fuel assistance:

If you run out of fuel in the winter, you can apply for Crisis Fuel Assistance if your household income is at 200% of the Federal Poverty Level or below. Applications are accepted starting the last Monday in November of the year through the last Friday in April, depending on funding availability. Information about it is here: https://dcf.vermont.gov/benefi... and you apply through your regional Community Action Agency: https://vermontcap.org/find-he...  IMPORTANT: Don't wait until you run out of fuel to apply. Fuel dealers often charge a special trip fee for emergency deliveries. The agency cannot help you if the fuel has already been delivered or the furnace work has been completed.

AFTER-HOURS EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE: If you are age 60 or older, or have a disability, or have a child under 6 living in your household:  You may call 1-866-331-7741 toll-free — from 8:30am-4:00pm on weekends and holidays — to apply for Crisis Fuel Assistance. - You can do this starting December 2, 2023 until the first Sunday in April 2024.

Emergency Heating System Program:

If your heating system is not operating and your household income is at 200% of the Federal Poverty Level or less, you can get emergency help by applying through your regional Community Action Agency: https://vermontcap.org/find-he... . Applications are accepted from November 1, 2023 through April 29 of the following year. Your system will be repaired or replaced if necessary.

AFTER-HOURS EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE:  Starting November 27, 2023 at 5pm, through April 26, 2024 at 12pm you may call 1-877-295-7998 toll-free from 5:00pm-7:00am on weekdays and from 8:30am-4:00pm on weekends and holidays to apply.

“Adverse Weather Conditions” (AWC) for Emergency Housing through the state Economic Services Division (ESD) for this winter season will be in effect beginning November 15^th through December 15th. This policy applies when any of the following conditions exist - or are anticipated to exist – for at least three (3) hours within the hours of 6:00pm-6:00am based on the town in which the district office is located:

• Temperatures or Wind Chill are less than 20 degrees (F); or
• Temperatures are less than 32 degrees (F) with a higher than 50% chance of precipitation projected.

Those seeking emergency housing are encouraged to contact ESD during regular business hours to apply (8:00am-4:30pm). If unable to apply during those times, you may contact VT 211 after 4:30pm to apply. Please note- due to the current housing crisis, motel rooms are limited throughout the state. VT 211 is administering the same emergency housing program as ESD, so the same intake procedure and ESD housing availability apply.

From December 15th through March 15^th, 2024, the emergency housing program will not be based on weather. From March 15^th, 2024 - April 15^th, 2024, the relaxed AWC policy will be in effect again, weather dependent.