WHAT ARE THE NEW CHANGES TO ELIGIBILITY?
The legislature just passed the Fiscal Year 2025 budget that begins July 1st. There were major changes to the GA Hotel Motel Program that will impact your household including a reduced amount of hotel/motel shelter days. The Fact Sheet attached tells you about the eligibility guidelines under the new law. The fact sheet outlines who is eligible and the amount of days allowed. It also tells you how to check on your eligibility or what documentation you may need. We do want you to know the eligibility in the law so that you can advocate for yourselves. We want you to know that it is likely that Economic Services will have some guidance in new Emergency Rules and we will inform you of these as soon as they come out. If you are denied, you can reach out to End Homelessness Vermont for support. The bill referenced is now law, so you will be able to renew or apply for services under the eligibility guidelines set forth in this law. This is so that YOU have the information you need when the time comes to renew. We are working closely with legislators and others to ensure we are correctly interpreting the law. Email or text will allow us to respond most quickly, but, if phone is your only option, please leave a detailed message to let us know.
Is This Final:
Yes. If you have any problem renewing your voucher, and you are in an eligible category please reach out to us.
Priority Categories:
These are what the Department Of Children and Families Economic Services Division are calling “priority categories”. While it is the position of End Homelessness Vermont that these categories are not appropriate under Act 113, at this time the Administration is doing it anyways. We want you to know that we think it is wrong, we don’t support it, and we are by no means endorsing this inhumane plan. We just believe fully in transparency, so that people in the program can make educated choices about their health, safety and well being. We also want you to know that we do not condone or support categorizing some people as “priorities” while making others not so. We believe all people experiencing homelessness are valuable and deserve priority in seeking and maintaining shelter and should never be talked about in this way.
Important Notes:
The legislature just passed the Fiscal Year 2025 budget that begins July 1st. There were major changes to the GA Hotel Motel Program that will impact your household including a reduced amount of hotel/motel shelter days. The Fact Sheet attached tells you about the eligibility guidelines under the new law. The fact sheet outlines who is eligible and the amount of days allowed. It also tells you how to check on your eligibility or what documentation you may need. We do want you to know the eligibility in the law so that you can advocate for yourselves. We want you to know that it is likely that Economic Services will have some guidance in new Emergency Rules and we will inform you of these as soon as they come out. If you are denied, you can reach out to End Homelessness Vermont for support. The bill referenced is now law, so you will be able to renew or apply for services under the eligibility guidelines set forth in this law. This is so that YOU have the information you need when the time comes to renew. We are working closely with legislators and others to ensure we are correctly interpreting the law. Email or text will allow us to respond most quickly, but, if phone is your only option, please leave a detailed message to let us know.
Is This Final:
Yes. If you have any problem renewing your voucher, and you are in an eligible category please reach out to us.
Priority Categories:
These are what the Department Of Children and Families Economic Services Division are calling “priority categories”. While it is the position of End Homelessness Vermont that these categories are not appropriate under Act 113, at this time the Administration is doing it anyways. We want you to know that we think it is wrong, we don’t support it, and we are by no means endorsing this inhumane plan. We just believe fully in transparency, so that people in the program can make educated choices about their health, safety and well being. We also want you to know that we do not condone or support categorizing some people as “priorities” while making others not so. We believe all people experiencing homelessness are valuable and deserve priority in seeking and maintaining shelter and should never be talked about in this way.
Important Notes:
- There is a significantly limited number of days allowed in the General Assistance Hotel/Motel program. It will leave just over 5 months out of the year that households will have to find alternative shelter or live outside during those months. We know that this is very scary and we want you to have time to prepare. Please read through the fact sheet and reach out with any questions. We do not support people EVER having to sleep outside and are disappointed in this outcome.
- If you are age 60 to 64 and don't meet another category. Please reach out to us so that we can help you see if you are eligible under another category.
“PRIORITY CATEGORIES”
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
NOTE: This does not change eligibility, but, it will prevent you from accessing hotel rooms if you are not in what the administration has called a “priority”. It will impact your access to using your 80 days, but, DOES NOT CHANGE THE 80 DAY LIMIT
This change goes into effect on September 15th & primarily impacts people age 20 to 49 who live with disabilities who do not also meet another below category. It also impacts people who are housed only under eviction, or catastrophic categories.
IMPORTANT: This should only go into effect when the room capacity is at 90%. This will be decided on a weekly basis. You can check if they are using this method here: https://dcf.vermont.gov/Addressing-and-Preventing-Unsheltered-Homelessness and here: https://dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/crisis-housing it will be listed on the right side of the page. We will also try to list it on the front page of our website weekly.
Administrations “Priority Categories” Policy Changes
Any household that has a member who:
Is a child 19 years of age or under
Administration's Policy On Renewals And Length Of Authorization
Applying with ESD:
“Priority populations”
*We want to be clear that while EHVT absolutely does not support this, we want people experiencing homelessness to have all of the information to make decisions about your health and safety. We will do everything we can to support you and are willing to go to fair hearings with people who are told that they are not in a “priority category”. We don’t know what the outcomes of these hearings will be as this policy is new. But if you should choose this avenue, we will support you**
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
NOTE: This does not change eligibility, but, it will prevent you from accessing hotel rooms if you are not in what the administration has called a “priority”. It will impact your access to using your 80 days, but, DOES NOT CHANGE THE 80 DAY LIMIT
This change goes into effect on September 15th & primarily impacts people age 20 to 49 who live with disabilities who do not also meet another below category. It also impacts people who are housed only under eviction, or catastrophic categories.
IMPORTANT: This should only go into effect when the room capacity is at 90%. This will be decided on a weekly basis. You can check if they are using this method here: https://dcf.vermont.gov/Addressing-and-Preventing-Unsheltered-Homelessness and here: https://dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/crisis-housing it will be listed on the right side of the page. We will also try to list it on the front page of our website weekly.
Administrations “Priority Categories” Policy Changes
Any household that has a member who:
Is a child 19 years of age or under
- Is pregnant
- Is experiencing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, hate violence, or other dangerous or life-threating conditions related to violence against the individual that caused the household to lose its housing
- Is 65 years of age or older
- Is otherwise categorically eligible and includes a member who is 50 years of age or older
Administration's Policy On Renewals And Length Of Authorization
- “Priority populations” will be granted in up-to 28 day increments
- All others will be granted in up-to-4 day increments
Applying with ESD:
“Priority populations”
- Can submit an application for emergency housing between the hours of 8am and 4:30pm Monday through Friday
- Can reapply for housing up to 10 days in advance of the end date of their current authorization
- Can submit an application for emergency housing between the hours of 12pm and 4:30pm Monday through Friday
- Can reapply for housing on the day their current authorization ends
*We want to be clear that while EHVT absolutely does not support this, we want people experiencing homelessness to have all of the information to make decisions about your health and safety. We will do everything we can to support you and are willing to go to fair hearings with people who are told that they are not in a “priority category”. We don’t know what the outcomes of these hearings will be as this policy is new. But if you should choose this avenue, we will support you**
FACT SHEET:
What You Need To Know About the Changes to GA Emergency Shelter Program
There are MAJOR changes to the General Assistance Hotel/Motel Program coming in July of 2024.
**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.**
These are the new Day limits beginning July 1st 2024:
Note on Disability or Medical Condition: If you are struggling to get through the process you may qualify for a Reasonable Accommodation. The Americans With Disabilities Act requires allowance to get through benefits processes with support and alternative processes for people with disabilities. If you need support through the process or are being denied benefits because of a disability that you live with, please reach out to End Homelessness Vermont and we will help you access appropriate Reasonable Accommodations.
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
There are MAJOR changes to the General Assistance Hotel/Motel Program coming in July of 2024.
**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.**
These are the new Day limits beginning July 1st 2024:
- Households who meet eligibility (outlined below) will be allowed 80 days in a 12 month period. To be used and budgeted as makes most sense for your household. It is a rolling twelve months, meaning the 12 month period starts on the 1st day you are sheltered. It is the recommendation of End Homelessness Vermont that you use at least one night of Emergency Shelter on July 1st so that your 12 month period begins in July.
- Households who meet eligibility (outlined below) will be able to access additional shelter nights continuously from December 1st 2024 to March 31st 2025. These days do not count toward your 80 days and can be used even if you have already used your 80 days.
- People who do not meet eligibility (outlined below) will not be allowed any access to General Assistance Hotel/Motel Program. If you do not meet any category, reach out to End Homelessness Vermont.
- Beginning September 15th 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.
Note on Disability or Medical Condition: If you are struggling to get through the process you may qualify for a Reasonable Accommodation. The Americans With Disabilities Act requires allowance to get through benefits processes with support and alternative processes for people with disabilities. If you need support through the process or are being denied benefits because of a disability that you live with, please reach out to End Homelessness Vermont and we will help you access appropriate Reasonable Accommodations.
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 201GR
- 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 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 believe you are in the April Cohort: There is no longer any Cohort, so refer to above categories to see if you will qualify. If you are age 60 to 64 and do not meet a different category, reach out to End Homelessness Vermont and we will help support you through the process.
- 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. Remember that the 80 days will run out on September 19th if you stay every night starting July 1st, or you could choose to use those 80 days at any time either in the fall or next spring. If you are told that you do not qualify, reach out to End Homelessness Vermont and we will support you through the process.
- If you have any kind of disability or Medical Need: This is a new category as of March 1st. 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. We have the current form.
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.
