Waterbury, VT—Vermont households that received 3SquaresVT benefits (food stamps) during August of 2011 and then lost food during Tropical Storm Irene — either because their homes were flooded or they lost power for four or more hours — have been granted an extension to request extra benefits to help replenish their food supplies.

Waterbury, VT – When James LaPlante was convicted last year for failing to pay his court-ordered child support, it marked only the second time in its history that the Vermont Office of Child Support (OCS) criminally charged a parent for not paying. On March 17, 2011, LaPlante was sentenced to 12 to 24 months in jail, of which he will serve 10 days. He will then be placed on two years’ probation and be required to pay $24,400 in past-due child support.

Waterbury, VT— The Department for Children and Families announced today progress in its efforts to improve benefits processing, and its recent signing of a six month agreement with Vermont Legal Aid which outlines the plan for ongoing improvement.

Waterbury, VT—The USDA recently notified the Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF) that they are once again postponing a required change to the standard deduction for fuel and utilities — until April 1, 2011.