Grants for Single Mothers in Vermont (2026 Guide)

Where to start in Vermont

Do not try to call every program in one day. Pick the problem that could hurt your family first. A shutoff, no food, an eviction notice, no safe place to sleep, no health coverage, or no child care for work needs fast action. A scholarship, tax credit, or housing waitlist may still matter, but those usually take longer.

Quick reference table

Cash and food help in Vermont

Reach Up and Reach First

Reach Up is Vermont’s TANF cash assistance program for families with children. It may help with monthly cash support and case management. Reach First may fit some families who are expected to need short-term help. The right program depends on your income, children, work situation, resources, and household facts.

Apply through the state benefits system, call 1-800-479-6151, or ask DCF how to get a paper application. If you want a plain national overview of how TANF works, read ASMOM’s TANF cash guide.

3SquaresVT

3SquaresVT is Vermont’s SNAP program. It helps eligible households buy food. This is often one of the best first applications because food help can reduce pressure on the rest of your budget. Apply even if you work, share housing, or think your income may be close to the limit. Deductions and household details can matter.

Use the official 3SquaresVT page for current rules. For a Vermont-specific next step, use ASMOM’s Vermont food assistance guide. If your food is almost gone, ask whether expedited processing applies to your household.

WIC, food shelves, and school meals

WIC helps pregnant people, postpartum parents, caregivers, infants, and children under 5 with food benefits, nutrition help, breastfeeding support, and referrals. Start with Vermont WIC or call 800-464-4343. Food benefits are usually for specific foods, so ask the WIC office what stores, cards, or shopping rules apply.

For food shelves and local emergency food, use 211 and the Vermont Foodbank. If your school sends home a meal or income form, fill it out even if meals are free. Schools may use those forms for other supports.

Housing, rent, and utility help

Housing help in Vermont is not one simple grant. Emergency shelter, motel rules, Coordinated Entry, local shelters, housing vouchers, subsidized apartments, and eviction prevention all have different doors.

If you are homeless or about to lose housing

Call 211 and contact the Coordinated Entry lead agency for your area. Ask what steps are needed for shelter, prevention help, rapid re-housing, or longer-term housing assessment. If a program says there is no room, ask what the written decision means and what other referral should be tried that day.

If you have an eviction notice, a lockout threat, unsafe housing, or a benefits decision that seems wrong, contact VTLawHelp. Legal aid is not a same-day guarantee, but it can help you understand deadlines and options.

Rental assistance and vouchers

The Vermont State Housing Authority and local housing authorities can be part of a longer-term plan. Check VSHA applications, but do not plan your next week around a voucher. Waitlists can open, close, and move slowly. Applying does not mean you will get housing right away.

As of April 1, 2026, VSHA said its Rental Arrears Eviction Prevention Program stopped taking new applications because available funds were expected to be used. That does not mean all rent help is gone. It means you should ask 211, your local lead agency, legal aid, and community action about current options before assuming a closed program is your only path.

For more help, use ASMOM’s housing help guide, rent help guide, and Vermont housing guide.

Fuel, heat, and utility bills

For heating bills, shutoff risk, and seasonal fuel support, start with Fuel Assistance, 211, and your utility company. If you are behind, call the utility before the shutoff date and ask what proof they need. ASMOM’s bill help guide and Vermont utility assistance page can help you sort the next steps.

Health coverage, pregnancy help, and child care

Medicaid, Dr. Dynasaur, and health plans

Use Vermont Health Connect for Medicaid, Dr. Dynasaur, and Marketplace plan questions. If you are pregnant, recently had a baby, or your child is uninsured, call 1-855-899-9600 and ask what coverage can start now. Do not wait until a bill arrives.

If a hospital or clinic bill is already unpaid, ask the billing office for financial assistance or charity care forms. For a broader overview, read ASMOM’s Medicaid guide for more basics.

Child care financial help

Vermont’s Child Care Financial Assistance Program, often called CCFAP, can help some families pay for regulated child care, preschool, afterschool, or summer programs. A family usually needs to live in Vermont, meet income rules, and have an accepted reason for child care, such as work, job search, education, training, Reach Up, or another approved need.

Start with the official application or ask a local Community Child Care Support Agency for help. Keep copies of your work schedule, school schedule, training schedule, pay stubs, and child care provider information. If your hours change, report it quickly so your case does not close by mistake. ASMOM’s Vermont child care page explains more.

Work, school, and tax help

Job loss and training

If you lost work or your hours were cut, check Vermont unemployment claims. You may need to open a claim, file weekly claims, and respond to notices. For work search, training, and career help, ask the Department of Labor about job centers and training options. ASMOM’s job training guide can help you prepare questions.

School grants and FAFSA

For college or training, start with FAFSA and VSAC aid. A Pell Grant, state grant, scholarship, or school emergency fund may help with tuition, books, transportation, or child care, but each program has rules. Ask your school financial aid office if it has emergency aid for parents. ASMOM’s scholarship guide lists more ways to search.

Tax credits and renter credit

Tax credits can be some of the biggest yearly help for working parents. Check the federal IRS EITC, the Child Tax Credit, free filing help, and the Vermont Renter Credit. Renter Credit rules depend on Vermont residency, rent months, income limits, and tax-year rules. Check the Tax Department before assuming you missed the deadline.

Child support, legal help, and family safety

The Vermont Office of Child Support helps parents and guardians with child support services. State materials say child support services are free and have no income restrictions for parents and guardians of children under 18 or still in high school. You can call 1-800-786-3214 to ask about the process.

Child support can help some families, but it is not safe for everyone. If the other parent has threatened you, stalked you, controlled your money, or used court or child support to harass you, contact a domestic violence advocate before you take steps that could reveal your location or increase risk. ASMOM’s child support guide explains common issues, and the Vermont page on child support Vermont gives state-specific direction.

For legal information about benefits, housing, debt, family issues, disability, and public programs, use VTLawHelp. For abuse or sexual violence support, the Vermont Network hotlines can connect you with local advocates. These services do not replace a lawyer, but they can help you avoid common mistakes.

Documents checklist

You can often start an application before you have every paper. Still, missing proof can slow your case. Keep photos or scanned copies in a safe place that only you can access. ASMOM’s documents checklist can help you build a simple folder.

If you are denied, delayed, or overwhelmed

A denial is not always the final answer. Read the notice. Look for the date, reason, appeal deadline, missing proof, and contact number. Ask for the decision in writing if you only got a verbal answer.

Use ASMOM’s benefits problem guide when you need help organizing notices, calls, and appeal questions. Use official notices for deadlines.