Last updated: May 20, 2026
If you are in danger now
If you or your children are in immediate danger, call 911. If calling is not safe, move toward a safer place if you can and ask a trusted person, school, clinic, neighbor, or local business to call for emergency help.
For domestic violence help in Vermont, call the statewide domestic violence hotline at 1-800-228-7395. For sexual violence help, call 1-800-489-7273. Both are listed by the Vermont Network, which connects survivors to local programs across the state.
You can also call the National DV Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or use chat from a safer device. If you feel at risk of self-harm, call or text 988 Lifeline.
Bottom line
Domestic violence help in Vermont usually starts with three places: a local advocate through the Vermont Network, the Family Division court if you need a Relief from Abuse order, and 2-1-1 or DCF if you need shelter, food, or basic needs help.
You do not have to prove abuse to a website before you ask for help. An advocate can help you talk through choices, plan around children, ask about shelter, and connect with legal or benefits help. This guide is for general information only. It is not legal, safety, medical, or benefits advice.
Where to start in Vermont
If you can safely make one call, call 1-800-228-7395. The Vermont Network can connect you with a local domestic violence program. Local programs may help with safety planning, shelter referrals, court support, hospital advocacy, children’s needs, and referrals for housing or public benefits.
If you need an order from the court, the Vermont Judiciary explains Relief from Abuse orders. Vermont Legal Aid’s RFA roadmap also walks through the process in plain language.
If you need food, emergency housing, diapers, transportation, or local help, call 2-1-1 or search Vermont 211. If you need general state benefits, the MyBenefits portal is the main Vermont application site for several DCF programs.
Need safety support?
Call the Vermont domestic violence hotline first. Ask for your nearest local advocate and say if you have children with you.
Need court protection?
Ask about a Relief from Abuse order. If courts are closed, Vermont has an after-hours court process.
Need shelter tonight?
Call a local advocate and 2-1-1. Emergency housing rules and room availability can change.
Quick reference table
| Need | Start here | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate danger | Call 911 | Ask for emergency help for you and your children. |
| Domestic violence advocate | Vermont Network | Ask for the local program serving your county. |
| Protection order | Relief from Abuse | Ask how to file during court hours or after hours. |
| Legal help | Legal Services VT | Ask about abuse, custody, housing, benefits, or safety issues. |
| Shelter and basic needs | Contact 211 | Ask about emergency housing, food, and local services. |
| Food and cash help | Vermont DCF benefits | Ask about 3SquaresVT, Reach Up, and other DCF help. |
Court protection orders in Vermont
A Relief from Abuse order, often called an RFA, is a Vermont Family Division court order that may protect you or your children from a person who hurt you or who you are afraid may hurt you. It can include orders about staying away, no contact, home access, children, and other safety issues. What the judge can order depends on the facts and the law.
You can file with the Family Division court. If courts are closed, the Vermont Judiciary says you can still apply for an RFA order at night, on weekends, and on holidays. Vermont Legal Aid lists the Vermont courts after-hours answering service as 1-800-540-9990 in its RFA materials.
You may use VTCourtForms RFA to prepare a package of forms, but an advocate can help you think through safety before filing. Applying for an order can be a dangerous time for some survivors. Use a safer phone or computer if you think someone checks your device.
Safety note before filing
Do not warn the abusive person that you are filing. Do not try to serve papers yourself. Ask the court, advocate, or legal aid office how service works in your case.
For more general legal next steps on ASMOM, see Vermont legal help and the national legal safety hub.
Address and privacy help
If you moved or may need to keep your address out of public records, Vermont has the Safe at Home address confidentiality program. It is run by the Vermont Secretary of State and is meant for people whose safety could be at risk if their address is public.
Ask a local advocate before you change addresses, school records, court papers, or benefits records. A good plan may include your child’s school, health care providers, court notices, benefits mail, and transportation.
If you are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind, DVAS provides advocacy designed for Deaf Vermonters and can be an important starting point.
Shelter, food, and basic needs after abuse
Leaving abuse can create urgent needs: a safe place to sleep, food, medicine, school supplies, child care, gas, phone access, or a way to replace documents. Start with a domestic violence advocate if safety is the main issue. Also call 2-1-1 for local resources.
Vermont’s emergency housing rules can change during the year. If you are homeless or unsafe where you are, Vermont Legal Aid’s emergency housing guide explains that DCF manages the emergency housing hotel and motel program and that the DCF Emergency Housing line is 1-800-775-0506. After hours, weekends, and holidays, use 2-1-1.
If you need a broader list of local help, see ASMOM’s Vermont community support, Vermont emergency help, and Vermont housing help.
Reality check
Shelter and motel rooms may not be available in every area. A denial or delay does not always mean there is no help. Ask what written notice you will get, whether you can appeal, and what other shelter or coordinated entry option is available.
Benefits and money help after domestic violence
Domestic violence can affect work, child care, rent, food, and child support. Vermont benefits are not only for people who have already left. You can ask about benefits while you are still making a plan.
| Help path | What it may help with | Where to start | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3SquaresVT | Food benefits for eligible households. | MyBenefits portal | You may need an interview and proof. Ask about faster help if food is urgent. |
| Reach Up | Cash and work support for some families with children. | Reach Up guide | Rules can include child support cooperation, but safety concerns matter. |
| WIC | Food, nutrition support, and referrals for pregnant people and children under 5. | Apply to WIC | WIC is separate from SNAP. You can ask for remote options. |
| Victim compensation | Some crime-related costs that are not covered another way. | Victims Compensation | It is limited and tied to crime-related losses. Keep receipts and bills. |
| Child support safety | Questions about support when contact may be unsafe. | Child support court | Tell DCF or OCS if pursuing support could put you or a child at risk. |
For ASMOM follow-up pages, use Vermont SNAP help, Vermont TANF help, Vermont WIC help, and Vermont child support.
If applying for child support could make things more dangerous, say that clearly to your Reach Up worker, DCF, legal aid, or your advocate. Vermont’s child support materials ask about domestic or family violence concerns, and a legal aid worker can help you understand options.
Children, school, and child care
When children are involved, think about school pickup, bus stops, emergency contacts, custody papers, and who is allowed to receive information. Give the school only the documents it needs, such as a court order or written custody instruction, and ask how the school protects addresses and pickup notes.
If child care is a barrier to work, court, counseling, or appointments, see Vermont child care. If you are pregnant or recently had a baby, ASMOM’s Vermont postpartum help may point you to health coverage and maternity support.
Do not send court details or safety plans through a shared school app if the other parent can see the account. Ask the school for a safer way to communicate.
Documents and information checklist
Only gather documents if it is safe. Do not risk harm to get paperwork. Many offices can still start an intake and tell you what can be added later.
| Item | Why it may help | Safety note |
|---|---|---|
| ID and child IDs | Benefits, shelter, school, court, and medical care. | Ask for help replacing lost documents if needed. |
| Proof of income | SNAP, Reach Up, child care, housing, and legal aid screening. | Use pay stubs, benefit letters, or employer notes if safe. |
| Court papers | Custody, protection orders, divorce, eviction, or child support. | Keep copies away from the abusive person. |
| Evidence of abuse | May help with court or victim compensation. | Do not collect evidence if it puts you in danger. |
| Bills and receipts | May help with compensation or emergency aid. | Take photos from a safer device if paper copies are unsafe. |
For a broader benefits paperwork list, use ASMOM’s documents checklist.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Posting plans online. Do not post about leaving, filing, shelter, or court plans where the abusive person or mutual contacts may see them.
- Using a monitored phone. If you think your phone is tracked, use a safer device at a library, clinic, school, workplace, or advocate’s office when possible.
- Skipping court dates. If you have a court hearing, ask an advocate or legal aid office what happens if you cannot attend.
- Giving up after one denial. Emergency housing, benefits, and legal help can involve delays. Ask for written notices and appeal deadlines.
- Assuming child support is always safe. If it could expose your location or increase danger, tell DCF, OCS, legal aid, or an advocate.
If you are denied, delayed, or overwhelmed
Ask for the decision in writing. Ask what rule was used, what proof is missing, and how long you have to appeal. Keep dates, names, phone numbers, and screenshots when it is safe to do so.
For legal problems tied to benefits, housing, abuse, or children, call 1-800-889-2047 or use VTLawHelp. The U.S. Office for Victims of Crime also lists Vermont victim resources through OVC Vermont.
For more ASMOM backup steps, see delayed benefits help and local resource help.
Phone scripts you can use
Calling the Vermont domestic violence hotline
“Hi, I am a single mother in Vermont. I need to talk safely about domestic violence. I may need shelter, court help, and help for my children. Can you connect me with the local program for my county?”
Calling the court after hours
“I need help applying for a Relief from Abuse order after hours. I can receive a call back at this number. Please tell me what information you need and how to keep my address private.”
Calling 2-1-1 for shelter
“I am not safe where I am staying and I have children with me. I need emergency shelter or housing options tonight. Can you check current options and tell me who else I should call?”
Calling DCF or benefits
“I need to apply for benefits after domestic violence. I need food, cash, housing, or child care help. Please tell me what applications I can start today and how to note safety concerns.”
Resumen en español
Si usted o sus hijos están en peligro inmediato, llame al 911. Para ayuda por violencia doméstica en Vermont, llame al 1-800-228-7395. Para violencia sexual, llame al 1-800-489-7273. También puede llamar a 2-1-1 para refugio, comida y ayuda local.
Puede pedir ayuda para una orden de protección, vivienda de emergencia, beneficios, WIC, SNAP, cuidado infantil y apoyo legal. Si usar su teléfono o computadora no es seguro, trate de usar un dispositivo más seguro en una biblioteca, escuela, clínica o con una defensora.
FAQ
What number should I call first for domestic violence help in Vermont?
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you need a domestic violence advocate, call Vermont’s statewide domestic violence hotline at 1-800-228-7395.
Can I ask for a protection order when court is closed?
Yes. Vermont has an after-hours process for Relief from Abuse orders. Vermont Legal Aid lists the courts after-hours answering service as 1-800-540-9990.
Can I get shelter if I have children with me?
Possibly. Call a local domestic violence advocate and 2-1-1. Shelter and motel help depends on safety needs, eligibility, location, funding, and availability.
What if child support could put me in danger?
Tell your Reach Up worker, DCF, the Office of Child Support, legal aid, or a domestic violence advocate. Safety concerns can affect how child support cooperation is handled.
Can I apply for food or cash help while dealing with abuse?
Yes. You can apply for programs such as 3SquaresVT, Reach Up, WIC, and other help through Vermont benefit offices. Tell the office if safety affects your paperwork, address, or contact method.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified May 20, 2026, next review August 20, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.