COVID-19 VT: Community Resources

VWW has compiled a list of resources available for residents in Vermont during COVID-19, such as child care, food, unemployment assistance and more.

We will continue updating this list as more resources are identified. For 24/7 assistance in finding local services and support , please contact Vermont 2-1-1 via phone or online .

General Resources

Crowd-sourced, comprehensive list of community resources in Vermont, including regional resources, continuously being updated

Vermont How Can I Help #Prepare Facebook Group

Child Care

Volunteer baby sitters in Chittenden County

Child care services for essential workers

Food

Hunger Free VT: how to feed your family during coronavirus outbreak

Special grocery shopping hours for seniors, at risk populations:

City Market: 7 - 8:00 am daily Hannaford: 6 - 7:00 am on Tues, Wed, and Thursdays Price Chopper/Market 32: 6 - 7:00 am daily Shaws: 7 - 9 am on Tues, Thursdays

Loss of Income/Unemployment

Establishing an unemployment claim: If you are laid off from your employer and need to file for Unemployment Insurance benefits, or establish an unemployment claim .

Establish your initial claim online: www.labor.vermont.gov OR Establish your claim by calling: 1-877-214-3330 or 1-888-807-7072 Existing UI Claimants: If you have specific questions, please view the frequently asked questions or contact the Vermont Department of Labor Claimant Assistance line at 877-214-3332. Please understand that they are experiencing high call volume. The Vermont Department of Labor is offering a weekly Virtual Town Hall , Unemployment 101 for claimants on Wednesday’s from 8:30-9:15. The event will be recorded and available on the department’s YouTube Channel . Register for the UI Newsletter to receive ongoing updates and notices. Flow chart to help navigate paid leave/unemployment benefits Vermont IS a state where you qualify for unemployment benefits when your hours are reduced. If you have questions about Vermont-specific benefits or how to apply, contact VWW's Employment and Career Specialist Rachel Kauppila at rkauppila@vtworksforwomen.org

Vermont Economic Services is waiving in-person contact requirements for state government benefits programs. Apply online or by phone at 1-800-479-6151

Federal Government approves a $100 billion emergency aid package, ensuring free coronavirus testing, sick and paid leave and bolstering unemployment insurance . --> H.R.6201 - Families First Coronavirus Response Act

North Country Federal Credit Union and Vermont Federal Credit Union are offering COVID-19 Financial Relief Programs for existing members.

One Good Deed Fund: Covid 19 Relief Fund for Burlington residents who have lost work due to outbreak.

Heat/Water/Electricity/Phone/Internet

The Vermont Public Utility Commission has ordered a temporary moratorium on involuntary natural gas, electric and telecommunications service disconnections through April 30. This means that if you are not able to make your payments for natural gas, electricity or land-line telephones, you will not be shut off. However, charges will still accrue during this time and will need to be paid off at a later date.

Both Burlington Telecom and Comcast are offering free Internet services for low-income families in Burlington.

Internet Assistance for Low-Income Families

Map of public WiFi locations in Vermont , developed by Vermont Public Service Department

Health Insurance & Medicaid

Vermont Health Connect announced a Special Enrollment Period for health insurance due to coronavirus crisis. If you don’t have health insurance, sign up with Vermont Health Connect by May 15 . If you lose your job-based insurance at any time of the year, you have 60 days to get onto a Vermont Health Connect plan.

If you want to talk about health insurance options or problems, please contact the Office of the Health Care Advocate (HCA) . Call 1-800-917-7787 to speak with a health care advocate, or fill out a Help Request Form . The HCA is a free service for Vermonters.

You can apply for Medicaid at any time. Learn more on Vermont Legal Help's Medicaid pages.

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that immigrants can use health care to get treatment or preventative services for the COVID-19 coronavirus without having it held against them for public charge purposes.

Transportation

Green Mountain Transit is operating fare free bus service until further notice. Check here for continuous updates.

Housing

The Department of Children and Family's Economic Services Division is extending housing supports for homeless individuals in Vermont who:

are over age 60, or have underlying health conditions as identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

For more information, contact the Benefits Service Center at 1-800-479-6151.

Restaurants/Businesses

Seven Days: A Statewide Directory of Take-out Options during COVID-19

Burlington Business Operation Plans as of 4/6

Winooski Business Operation Plans as of 3/18

How to Help

The State of Vermont is looking for volunteers to help in communities across the State that have been affected by COVID-19. Help is needed in a variety of areas and professions: Nurses, Pharmacist, EMS, Physician Assistant, Veterinarians, Mental Health, Childcare, Grocery Worker, Public Works Professional, Drivers, etc. Register here .

Vermonters are coming together to support each other. Each link, <a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__vermont.us13.list-2Dmanage.com_track_click-3Fu-3D3f52a025e7c7eaf0bdf39db8b-26id-3Db29bca1ac0-26e-3De5459ef9bf&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=OMRdW8NURN0RcfqDK01aRh_-W6QK-d8S7qVeip0AqYY&m=VYSp9vV5Og0LdQAcRD9OpNx5rS8z28zWaKjPFA8IThA&s=AGSbrE9xjxSqln4i3pxipeHSTujWrzPT6lzOjQZC72I&e=" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">compiled by the Peace & Justice Center , consists of a spreadsheet with multiple tabs for different categories of need (food, transportation, housing, emotional support, etc) and are specific to different regions of Vermont.

In addition to volunteering, Vermonters can also give back in the following ways:

Donate PPE : Donations of N95 masks, medical and industrial grade or surgical masks can be brought to your nearest State Police Barracks. You can find the location nearest to you here: https://vsp.vermont.gov/stations . Give blood : Visit the American Red Cross to learn how to safely donate blood: https://www.redcross.org/local/new-hampshire-vermont.html . Support your local Food Bank . Donate online at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fvtfoodbank.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2iaIwDwdpGxePgSLCV2Pzp6hugYXErnNiu4tkpEM9uhRbFqmPodwSIeho&h=AT0EhJyGD3gRFGxrF-2K6ZGa7I5AR-CO7yESkj7ZXapUPwIAHu7uPFyBCgon2BrH2P80tcHdPM3Gs_b5TNyeCDHIbeeTSF-LZInx0u_h2scpE5_gJWcTm2f6d6zYd3DxG1kjXivrz4oW5w5MyHhP7GUpOL5WmIwl2gacyi397Xdw0ry2CTi5sMnvdGUPjmzceY7awRy3Sa0emdUEoSOjFVdkru-KJ0QOzm0Prai8lQtmiSaKX1w2oJcQhPt1xh34U1y107OWVcXveMVW8rZrse1y_1ucgZC3PCLb94K7a-0iK45b8Qy0YYHR77RH5KO8dLvnKt7f3pYhu0b6HXIzpKDobfgnrP0638XpnzZ0-3mkE7K1Xwu5cPKNs3zNDU2PtF_rHS0KML_0yzmJRV2SrWE5SqUu8G8BaA-kag9tc4v_Q6B6Egp7imyKxrhUY9vpJRvzc_1q2P74m8j2lnnR95YcVPEBaspoCLOlwE-j_jYFHwwPfYHUHa3ESTN-VwarXSM7wF0c3dAsXt9rc2AkRqPTSOx6bwDVIP4ZnoH85O5b2C7qmfKupoZ9lFJTsAaBe6JbL80kpaMMJpDQfKnMwazrgyu_pqDeMcdjO3-DarNPZ349njp8FoCfGxDp4oJVxhicMA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vtfoodbank.org or you can text GIVEHEALTH to 85511. If you're in need of help, please visit <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fvtfoodbank.org%2Fgethelp%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0PSgRWEPbSP0EM0KiZRZn3PUqCJs-AXXQybrh6L4WwMY70j9tCc8Jr3_E&h=AT0-lT_LOXn-6C6RZ2dXy5wxim-PQ77kV3T2cUyvLPgJ205gTSsCG6JLMW6VHNBxhDfyDrQ_Jd6j3WpedeDfk10e3UTx8EIJKA6qoBFoMvGp3OKk41gjT8OIEJptXFIHc4E5GmbrD6c6PszNgvfV9EvMzLWBYvJhLBot5nCdqwewXXECOoL4uJa7saPGnaJ-50CeTba65zb8F0tBlnAYzegNC_OzPepnGI2nan5hMKXs1nKS0qgbMXHpXxUMgh0rkLjnaCV8_TQiQevduIL8pMmyo2PzNNG_n5C_8EMxpxyPKCCmM6yWxNWytup26iDJxozwQNvybfOw3XJhi7riW4dsnkSExMxscIDvPuRxAAufmCfYNolRMGEipEeSuLDWprHw-YjnA6v6lj-ytpExL9S66j-sG-DZX3D_4zs5wJ8pDrCJh4C8mvB1KZcKGsl2p5RnpF-g-yAWhmC6P3DZZwI3JFagyrGQa9pW9pP-kgKOBOEsjM1ZWAmc5tqy5UyMbFSGC98G8Lc5JKXZ-xRjy1CLrh8ZEuCY2M8zwkPieCBEZZFcjpRmjYyfOAY05Ppi_eyQrKbbZAUhXGohW0deo5eBZelTqQhGiCIfGQRhB0LcDCyrEkUS-zkYHSsO6rzq0F4SMg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vtfoodbank.org/gethelp .