PLEASE NOTE THIS IMPORTANT UPDATE: The Vermont Human Services Board issued a ruling that will help many of our clients access emergency housing that they have been wrongfully denied by the state. The state was attempting to argue that emergency housing nights granted under the Governor’s Executive Order should count against someone’s eligibility after July 1st. The Board found that this was inconsistent with Act 27 passed by the Legislature, which clearly specifies that the counting of days begins on July 1st. The only days that should count toward one's 80 days, regardless if they were housed under the Executive Order or not, are days used after July 1st of 2025. Our advice to households, if they are denied emergency housing, is to ask for a denial letter, request a Fair Hearing, and reach out to both Vermont Legal Aid (https://www.vtlawhelp.org/how-we-can-help) and End Homelessness VT (802 489 6534, [email protected]). If you or someone you know needs help with this process, EHVT is happy to support people.
NEW INFORMATION
ONLY DAYS USED SINCE JULY 1 OF 2025 SHOULD COUNT TOWARD YOUR 80 DAYS!
IMPORTANT: No one has used 80 days since July 1st of 2025. If you are told that you have already used your 80 days, follow these instructions:
TAKE THESE STEPS IF YOU WANT TO ACCESS YOUR RIGHT TO EMERGENCY HOUSING:
**If you need help with any of these steps. It may take us a few days to get back to you. If you are uncomfortable doing it without support. We are here to help**
Also, there was an agreed upon Preliminary Injunction that may impact your rights in Emergency Housing: WHAT IS THE PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION THAT IS NOW IN EFFECT AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN? On May 1st a judge granted a TRO (linked here) against DCF as part of Vermont Legal Aid’s lawsuit against the Department. On May 16th, the parties and judge in this case signed a Stipulated Preliminary Injunction. It conditionally certifies the case as a class action, and requires DCF to provide a Notice of Eligibility when an emergency housing authorization is approved, allows people who are approved for 10 days or more to reapply at least 10 days before the end of their authorization, and requires DCF to provide written notice of application denials and terminations. This means ESD can not exit you from a hotel or motel without giving you written notice, and enough time to appeal the decision as long as you have been in for 10 days or more. If you were inside with a voucher on or after May 1st you qualify under the Preliminary Injunction and would qualify for these protections. You should be receiving a Notice of Eligibility (NOE) using YOUR preferred delivery method, telling you that your voucher has been extended and what you need to do next. Don’t panic when you read this, it is to help you prepare for your next renewal. Reach out with any questions.
NEW INFORMATION
ONLY DAYS USED SINCE JULY 1 OF 2025 SHOULD COUNT TOWARD YOUR 80 DAYS!
IMPORTANT: No one has used 80 days since July 1st of 2025. If you are told that you have already used your 80 days, follow these instructions:
- If you had been housed under the Governor’s Executive Order last spring, you can call ESD and follow the below steps.
- If you have been told that you have already used your 80 days and therefor you can not get emergency housing, follow the below steps
- If you do not know if you are eligible, see “fact sheet” for more details on eligibility.
TAKE THESE STEPS IF YOU WANT TO ACCESS YOUR RIGHT TO EMERGENCY HOUSING:
**If you need help with any of these steps. It may take us a few days to get back to you. If you are uncomfortable doing it without support. We are here to help**
- Call the ESD Housing Line and apply for GA Emergency Housing.
- If they say you have used 80 days, then ask for a denial letter. IMPORTANT: You will be denied if they say you have used 80 days, but, no one has in FY26.
- Request a FAIR HEARING and if you would like say that you would like to request “Benefits Pending” with the hearing. ESD workers may tell you that they can’t grant “Benefits Pending”. Tell them that is ok, you want to request it with your fair hearing.
- After you request the hearing you can reach out to both Vermont Legal Aid (https://www.vtlawhelp.org/how-we-can-help) and End Homelessness VT (802 489 6534, [email protected])
- We will tell you next steps after our team connects. Just a reminder that we are quicker to respond by text or email.
Also, there was an agreed upon Preliminary Injunction that may impact your rights in Emergency Housing: WHAT IS THE PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION THAT IS NOW IN EFFECT AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN? On May 1st a judge granted a TRO (linked here) against DCF as part of Vermont Legal Aid’s lawsuit against the Department. On May 16th, the parties and judge in this case signed a Stipulated Preliminary Injunction. It conditionally certifies the case as a class action, and requires DCF to provide a Notice of Eligibility when an emergency housing authorization is approved, allows people who are approved for 10 days or more to reapply at least 10 days before the end of their authorization, and requires DCF to provide written notice of application denials and terminations. This means ESD can not exit you from a hotel or motel without giving you written notice, and enough time to appeal the decision as long as you have been in for 10 days or more. If you were inside with a voucher on or after May 1st you qualify under the Preliminary Injunction and would qualify for these protections. You should be receiving a Notice of Eligibility (NOE) using YOUR preferred delivery method, telling you that your voucher has been extended and what you need to do next. Don’t panic when you read this, it is to help you prepare for your next renewal. Reach out with any questions.
FACT SHEET:
What You Need To Know About the Changes to GA Emergency Shelter Program
In July of 2024 MAJOR changes to the General Assistance Hotel/Motel Program began.
**Reminder: End Homelessness Vermont is not employed by the state and can not determine outcomes. We are available to support individuals in systems navigation and advocacy trying to access or retain housing benefits. All of our services are completely voluntary.**
There have been new Day limits since July 1st 2024:
You Qualify For GA if any of the below are true of ANYONE in your household:
If you fall under the categories below, we will support you through the process:
How To Re-Apply or Renew:
*This is now the law and anyone who qualifies in categories above will be eligible for the above day limits. Anyone who meets eligible categories should be able to renew 10 days in advance of your exit date or apply to be re-entered in the program if you are outside or were incorrectly exited:
IMPORTANT: ESD is required to allow you to process your application in the office if you choose. If you are told otherwise email, text or call our hotline. **Keep good documentation, screen shots and recordings of all attempts to determine eligibility. As stressful as it is, please remain calm in the ESD office & on the phone.
To Check Eligibility, Renew Your Voucher or Re Apply You Must:
Go to the local ESD office or call 1-800-775-0506 (If you are calling, please wait through the ENTIRE hold. If you need support in this process reach out to us at End Homelessness Vermont.
If you are denied:
What You Need To Know About the Changes to GA Emergency Shelter Program
In July of 2024 MAJOR changes to the General Assistance Hotel/Motel Program began.
**Reminder: End Homelessness Vermont is not employed by the state and can not determine outcomes. We are available to support individuals in systems navigation and advocacy trying to access or retain housing benefits. All of our services are completely voluntary.**
There have been new Day limits since July 1st 2024:
- Households who meet eligibility (outlined below) will be allowed 80 days in FY26. FY26 is from July 1st 2025 until June 30th 2026.
- Households who meet eligibility (outlined below) were able to access additional shelter nights continuously from December 1st 2024 to March 31st 2025. These days will not count toward your 80 days. If you have not used your 80 days since July of 2025, you are eligible.
- People who do not meet eligibility (outlined below) will not be allowed any access to General Assistance Hotel/Motel Program. If you do not know if you meet any category, reach out to End Homelessness Vermont. We will help you through the process.
- From July 1st until December 1st and from April 1st to June 30th, there is a room cap across the state of 1100 rooms, they are 1st come 1st serve and once filled, there will not be access to Emergency Shelter in the hotel/motel program until a room opens. We are very concerned about this cap and want you to be aware.
You Qualify For GA if any of the below are true of ANYONE in your household:
- Is 65 years of age or older;
- Has a disability that can be documented by:
- receipt of Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance; or
- The Disability Variance Form 201GVR
- Is a child 19 years of age or under;
- Is pregnant;
- Has experienced the death of a spouse, domestic partner, or minor child that caused the household to lose its housing;
- Has experienced a natural disaster, such as a flood, fire, or hurricane;
- Is under a court-ordered eviction or constructive eviction due to circumstances over which the household has no control; or
- Is experiencing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, hate violence, or other dangerous or life-threatening conditions that relate to violence against the individual or a household member that caused the household to lose its housing.
If you fall under the categories below, we will support you through the process:
- Lived in an informal living situation and were asked to leave
- Lived with a family or friend and were asked to leave
- Lived in a formal living situation and received only a verbal eviction
- Were in danger at home and it was not domestic violence
- Landlord turned off essential utilities that were the landlord's responsibility
- Were evicted for non payment of rent and you could not afford the rent
How To Re-Apply or Renew:
*This is now the law and anyone who qualifies in categories above will be eligible for the above day limits. Anyone who meets eligible categories should be able to renew 10 days in advance of your exit date or apply to be re-entered in the program if you are outside or were incorrectly exited:
- If you qualify under an above Category: Call Economic Services on the housing line, unless you have a caretaker or authorized representative who does it for you and ask to renew. If you have stayed every night starting July 1st your days will likely run out some time in September.
- At EACH renewal, you should be getting a Notice Of Eligibility (NOE). They are required to give that to you if you ask. It will help you keep track of the days you have left and requirements*
- You can renew up to 10 days in advance and will be authorized for up to 28 days.
- If you have a job, you will need your last 30 days pay stubs to apply and will have to renew at each pay date.
- If you have any kind of disability or Medical Need & do not have SSI/SSDI:. You likely can have the ‘Emergency Housing Disability Variance Request Form’ filled out by a medical provider. If you need support understanding this, don’t know if you qualify as having a disability or don’t have a medical provider reach out to us. We can support you through the process.
IMPORTANT: ESD is required to allow you to process your application in the office if you choose. If you are told otherwise email, text or call our hotline. **Keep good documentation, screen shots and recordings of all attempts to determine eligibility. As stressful as it is, please remain calm in the ESD office & on the phone.
To Check Eligibility, Renew Your Voucher or Re Apply You Must:
Go to the local ESD office or call 1-800-775-0506 (If you are calling, please wait through the ENTIRE hold. If you need support in this process reach out to us at End Homelessness Vermont.
If you are denied:
- Ask why you are denied & for a copy of the denial letter, mailed if you are on the phone. Or in your hand before you leave if you are in the office.
- Reach out to End Homelessness Vermont, we can help through the process. Email, call or text, with name, contact info and circumstance. Tell us you have been denied. 802 489 6534 or [email protected]
- Our recommendation is to wait to request a fair hearing & we will talk you through required documentation, to see if it can be addressed without a fair hearing. **unless it is because you used your 80 days and it is before September 19th, then follow instructions under “New Information” page.
- If you prefer to go straight to a Fair Hearing, please note: Fair Hearing process can take months and you will remain outside while you wait. If you prefer this route, we will support you in a Fair Hearing.
