Waterbury, VT—Vermont households that received 3SquaresVT benefits (food stamps) in 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 — are eligible to receive extra benefits to help replenish their food supplies. How much extra help households can get depends on the value of the food lost and the amount of the 3SquaresVT benefit received in August.

The deadline for requesting a replacement benefit related to Tropical Storm Irene is September 17, 2011.

How to Request a Replacement Benefit

3SquaresVT households should call the Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF) at 1-800-479-6151 to make a request. Calls will be routed to the nearest district office, based on the phone number they are calling from. The process for applying is slightly different depending on where the household is located.

1. Households in counties that have been declared a federal disaster area can make a verbal declaration about the loss of food purchased with their August benefits. These counties include Addison, Bennington, Caledonia, Chittenden, Orange, Rutland, Washington, Windham, and Windsor.
    
2. Households in Essex, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille and Orleans counties must submit a signed declaration about the food they lost to be eligible for replacement benefits.

“Despite the challenges the department faces due to the flooding of our central office in Waterbury, the department is open for business, and we are ready to provide much-needed benefits to the families we serve,” said DCF Commissioner Dave Yacovone.

Vermonters interested in learning more about 3SquaresVT can visit the department’s website at http://dcf.vermont.gov/mybenefits or www.vermontfoodhelp.com Seniors can also call the Senior Helpline at 1-800-642-5119.

# # #

Released: September 8, 2011