Skip to main content
An Official Vermont Government Website

3SquaresVT Work Rules

3SquaresVT has two sets of work rules:

  1. The general work requirement
  2. The time limited benefits work requirement

You might not need to follow both rules. Some people may be exempt or excused from one or both. Each person in a 3SquaresVT household might have different rules to follow.

The General Work Requirement 

This rule is for people aged 16 to 59. It mainly means you must tell the Economic Services Division (ESD) if you have a job or not, and that you shouldn’t quit or refuse a job without a good reason. 

To follow this rule, you need to: 

  • Tell ESD if you’re working or not - this happens automatically when you sign and submit your application. 

  • Take a real job offer if you don’t already have a job. 

  • Not quit your job or reduce hours at your job unless you have a good reason. 

You might be exempt/excused from this rule–AND ALSO from the time limited work rule–if: 

  • You already work 30 or more hours a week or earn $217.50/week or $935.25 a month. 

  • You’ve applied or been approved for unemployment benefits. 

  • You get Reach Up (Reach First, Reach Up, Post-Secondary Education, Reach Ahead). 

  • You take care of a child under 6 or another person who needs help caring for themselves. 

  • A doctor says you can’t work for a physical or mental reason. 

  • You’re in a treatment program for alcohol or drugs. 

  • You’re 16 or 17 and live with a parent or guardian. 

  • You’re a student studying at least half-time. 

  • You’re 60 or older, or younger than 16. 

If ESD doesn’t know you are exempt / excused from this rule, you should tell them! You can do this by calling 1-800-479-6151, using the uploader, visiting a local ESD office, or sending a written statement by mail to: 

ADPC – Economic Services Division 

280 State Drive 

Waterbury, VT 05671 

You might lose your 3SquaresVT benefits if you no longer meet the requirement (e.g., you quit a job, refuse to provide information about your employment status if ESD asks, or you don’t let ESD know that you meet an exemption).   See Frequently Asked Questions for more information.  

The Time Limited Benefit Work Requirement 

This rule is for people aged 18 to 54 who are not disabled, pregnant, or caring for kids. To get more than 3 months of benefits, you need to work or be exempt/excused. 

To follow this rule, you need to: 

  • Work 80 hours a month (paid or unpaid). 

  • Take part in an approved job training program for 80 hours a month. 

  • Volunteer at a public or non-profit group for a certain number of hours (based on your benefit amount). 

You are exempt/excused from this rule if: 

  • You meet any of the general work rule exemptions (see above section). 

  • You’re under 18 or over 55. 

  • You’re under 25 and were in Foster Care on your 18th birthday. 

  • You are a Veteran. 

  • You’re experiencing homelessness. 

  • You’re pregnant. 

  • You live in a 3SquaresVT household that includes children under 18.

  • You're experiencing a personal obstacle or barrier that prevents you from being able to meet the 80 hours per moth work requirement (link to more information).

If any of these are true for you, make sure you give this information to ESD. You can do this by calling 1-800-479-6151, using the uploader, visiting a local ESD office, or sending a written statement by mail to: 

ADPC – Economic Services Division 

280 State Drive 

Waterbury, VT 05671 

If you don’t follow this rule and don’t meet an exemption, you might lose your benefits after 3 months. To get benefits again, you’ll need to follow the work rule for 30 days or have an excuse. Otherwise, you’ll need to wait until November 1, 2025, to get more benefits. 

Personal Obstacles or Barriers

Sometimes, personal obstacles or barriers can make it hard to meet the work rule. If you have a personal obstacle or barrier that prevents you from working, you might be able to have this rule waived. Here are some examples of personal obstacles or barriers: 

  • You are struggling to pass a driver’s license exam and need a driver's license to get to work.

  • You have a medical problem and can’t see a doctor until a certain date, or you have a long-term medical issue you haven’t talked to a doctor about. 

  • You’re trying to get workers' compensation and need more time. 

  • You are struggling with the loss of a family member or friend. 

  • You just got out of jail and are having a difficult time adjusting.
  • You have barriers to learning English and are having trouble with language.

  • You are dealing with a domestic violence situation and cannot work right now. 

Many different personal obstacles or barriers can qualify. These are only some examples. 

You can get excused with a complete Form 210A. A community partner, like someone from the Vermont Foodbank, Community Action Organization, or a caseworker, can help you get excused from the work rule for up to 12 months if you have a personal issue. They will need to fill out page 2 of the form for you, and upload it to the Document Uploader. Contact information for these organizations can be found below.

3SquaresVT Work Rules Screener
Use the screening tool to see if you have to meet work rules in order to get 3SquaresVT