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Vermont Department for Children and Families Seasonal Fuel Assistance Rules Economic Services Division 2917 Benefit Issuance

2917 Benefit Issuance (06/22/2024, 23-18)

a. Regardless of a household’s eligibility, the Department may issue fuel benefits only if there are funds available that have been appropriated for fuel assistance payments.

1. If funds become unavailable, the Department must stop issuing fuel benefits, regardless of a household’s eligibility.

2. If funds remain available, the Department must stop issuing fuel benefits at the end of each heating season, regardless of a household’s eligibility.

i. Benefits issued after April 30 each year shall count as benefits issued during the heating season that begins on or after May 1 of the year those benefits are issued.

b. The Department may use any method of payment, including EBT and direct deposit in a financial institution, to issue benefits to eligible households, and the Department shall have sole discretion to determine which method of payment it uses for each household.

1. In its sole discretion, the Department may also change the method it pays benefits to a given household at any time.

2. Households may not require the Department to use any particular method of payment.