Utilities

The Vermont Emergency Rental Assistance Program (VERAP) is coming to an end.

Following are the changes that will be implemented to VERAP beginning December 1st, 2022 – These changes supersede prior policies.

 Appeals:

1. If an applicant is determined to be ineligible for assistance, Team ReFrame will notify the applicant in writing with a detailed reason for the denial, including any facts relied on for the decision, and let the applicant know that if they wish to appeal the decision, the tenant must notify Team ReFrame by scheduling an appeal through the portal or calling the VERAP call center, of their intent to appeal the decision within 10 days from the date of the denial.
2. If applicant misses deadline they cannot come back and update their applications and request an appeal.

  Recertification Policy for Lapse in benefit Period:

1. Recertification paperwork resubmitted within three (3) months of the last approved recertification will require no additional documentation.
2. Benefit requests through Recertifications will be limited to 3 months of rental arrears. If a participant recertifies more than 90 days from their last approved recertification, they will be required to provide documentation of the household’s income at the time they should have originally recertified, as well as their current income, in order to receive benefits. 
3. For tenants who were paid directly per Section K of this document, documentation of arrears MUST accompany a recertification document if any time has lapsed since last day of the month in which VERAP rent assistance was received.

Following are the changes that will be implemented to VERAP beginning October 1, 2022. Clarification of these rules may continue please check our website on Fridays for the most up-to-date information.

Rental Assistance:

1. VERAP will STOP taking new applications for Rent.
2. Participants who receive rental subsidy (such as Section 8) will no longer be eligible for rental assistance.
3. Existing VERAP participants (those applying to VERAP prior to 10/1/22) will receive reduced rental and utility assistance dependent on income, according to the following schedule.
   • Participants with incomes between 31-80% of Area Median Income:
     • October 1, 2022, assistance will be reduced to 70%
     • November 1, 2022, assistance will be reduced to 50%
     • Rental Assistance will end November 30, 2022 
   • Participants with incomes at or below 30% of Area Median Income and below:
     • October 1, 2022, assistance will be reduced to 70%
     • Assistance will be provided until funding is gone.

Substantive Income Changes:

If an applicant’s reported income changes and the change results in the applicant being categorized in a new area median income (AMI) category, documentation of the reason for change and/or documentation of new income will be required. 

4. All HOTEL Nights will be capped at a rate of $130 per night

Other Expenses Related to Housing:

Application for Other Expenses Related to Housing are impacted as follows:

1. VERAP will stop taking new applications for Other Expenses Related to Housing Habitability Repairs on 09/23/2022

2. All Health and Safety Repairs must be completed, and all documentation uploaded by 11/30/2022

   • Arrears, Filing Fees, Sherriff Fees, and Plaintiff Legal Fees are eligible at 100% benefit
   • Stipulations received after 9/30/22 cannot include forward rent
   • Stipulations received after 9/23/22 cannot include damages
   • Stipulations are available to all VERAP approved participants, including tenants with a rental subsidy

     Stipulation Payments – New applications will not be accepted after 11/30/2022

3. Rent into Court Applications will no longer be accepted after 11/30/2022

4.   Money To Move applications will be accepted until 11/30/2022

   • All applicants with a subsidy are eligible for this benefit until 11/30/22.
   • All money to move requests will be paid at 100% and need to be requested within thirty days of move in date. 

Reach-Up Rental Assistance:

1. Reach Up’s Rental Assistance is expected to continue until June 2023 — unless the funds run out before then.
2. Approved Applicants are only eligible for a maximum of 18 months of rental payments. Some families may receive fewer than 18 months due to the program ending in June 2023.
3. The program will keep:
   • Accepting new applications and making payments through June 30, 2023.
   • Paying the tenant’s portion of rent even if the tenant lives in subsidized housing.
   • Paying what the tenant owes.
4. Utilities for Reach-Up Emergency Rental Assistance (RUERA) approved rental applicants will be paid at 100% until December 31, 2022 (or longer depending on the availability of funding)

Utilities (VERAP-U and REAP):

1. Utility applications for VERAP and REAP will be accepted through December 31, 2022.
2. For benefit month October 1, 2022, and thereafter, assistance will be reduced to 70%.
3. Applications submitted after 9/30/2022 will receive assistance at 70% for all benefit months including arrearages.
4. All utility payments will end December 31, 2022.

Other Helpful Resources:

Vermont 211 Homepage — VT 211

Public Benefit Programs – Including General Assistance Emergency Housing, 3SquaresVT, Fuel Assistance, Water Assistance and more:

https://dcf.vermont.gov/benefits

1. ONLINE: Use the online application.
2. BY MAIL: Call 1-800-479-6151 or visit a district office to get a paper application.
3. IN PERSON: Apply in person at your local district office.

We have worked to create a summary of resources that may assist you during this time of transition.  Here is a list that you may find helpful. 

Housing Resources Guide | Vermont Income Limits.

If you have other needs, you may also reach out to 211 for resources that may not be listed here.