Vermont Department of Public Service
If you are a tenant in need of utility assistance, please be sure to check YES in the box that asks “Do you currently pay for utilities in addition to your rent?” in the ‘Rent Benefits’ section of the Tenant Application.
Accessing the Owner Portal, completing questions, and requesting payments for your customers who have applied for Utility Assistance are available below.
Utility-Vendor-Walkthrough-4_11_22.pdf (vtutilityhelp.com)
Please login to the Owner Portal located at https://verapownerportal.reframeassist.io/#/auth/login
Please register:
Once logged in, go to the Unit Certifications item in the left hand navigation menu. There you will see a list of customers who have applied for the Utility Assistance program. Complete the questions for each and then enter a payment request for the total amount due in arrears since April 1, 2020. You can also request payment for a current bill which has been invoiced but is not yet overdue. Upload a copy of the invoice that documents the amount in arrears and current bill due, if applicable. Finally, complete the Certification Page and esign.
The VERAP Caseworker will review your requests and schedule payments. If you have not yet provided a W9 and Direct Deposit information at https://vtutilityhelp.com/, you can also upload these forms in the portal.
Please contact the Vermont Emergency Rental Assistance Call Center at 833-488-3727 (833-4VT-ERAP) with any questions. The center is open from 8:30 am to 7:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday.
To participate in the Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance Program (ERAP) in Vermont (VERAP), renters must attest that:
If you are applying JUST for utility assistance and NOT applying for rental assistance you will need to fill out the complete rental assistance application and:
Yes, the utility assistance program can be used on past due balances after April 1, 2020 and current payments.
Following are the changes that will be implemented to VERAP beginning January 1st, 2023 – These changes supersede prior policies
Utilities (VERAP-U and REAP):
Rental Assistance:
Other Expenses Related to Housing:
Application for Other Expenses Related to Housing are impacted as follows:
1) Health and Safety Repairs that have life safety violations and had all documentation in by 09/30/3022 need to have repairs completed, and all documentation in by March 31, 2023.
2) EMP authorized work needs to be complete and have the final IRC from the Department of Health completed by May 31, 2023.
Reach-Up Rental Assistance:
Appeals:
Recertification Policy for Lapse in benefit Period:
Other Helpful Resources:
Public Benefit Programs – Including General Assistance Emergency Housing, 3SquaresVT, Fuel Assistance, Water Assistance and more:
https://dcf.vermont.gov/benefits
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.