The Propel Guide To EBT In Vermont

3SquaresVT is Vermont’s name for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ( SNAP), sometimes called food stamps, or just EBT. It helps low-income households across the state supplement their grocery budget each month.

SNAP is federally funded and operates under national rules, but each state manages its own program under those guidelines. That means application steps, benefit schedules, renewal processes, and customer service details can vary depending on where you live.

Here’s what to know about EBT and 3SquaresVT benefits in Vermont.

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How does SNAP work in Vermont?#how-does-snap-work-in-vermont

In Vermont, about 64,800 people receive 3SquaresVT benefits.

If you’re looking for help covering groceries, 3SquaresVT provides monthly support through an EBT card. Your benefits are loaded onto the card each month and can be used at stores that accept food stamps.

After you apply, a caseworker from your local county office will typically contact you for a phone interview to verify details like your household size, income, and expenses. Once your case is approved, benefits continue as long as you remain eligible and complete any required renewals.

How to apply for food stamps in Vermont#how-to-apply-for-food-stamps-in-vermont

There are several ways to apply for food stamps in Vermont.

Apply for SNAP online

You can apply through the official state 3SquaresVT website below.

Apply for 3SquaresVT by phone or in person

If you need help applying or prefer speaking with someone, you can

• Call the Vermont Benefits Service Center: 1-800-479-6151
• Apply in person at a district office

3SquaresVT application assistance is also available through your local food bank.

What you’ll need to apply for SNAP#what-youll-need-to-apply-for-snap

When you apply, you’ll usually be asked for:

• Proof of identity
• Information about everyone in your household, like birthdays and immigration status
• Income details, like pay stubs or benefit letters
• Housing and utility costs

You may not need every document to start an application; you can often submit missing information later.

Who is eligible for SNAP in Vermont?#who-is-eligible-for-snap-in-vermont

SNAP eligibility is mostly determined by your household size and income, but some applicants may have to meet additional requirements.

In general, you may qualify for 3SquaresVT if:

• Your household income is at or below state limits
• You meet work requirements (if it applies to you)
• You are a U.S. citizen, or you meet immigration requirements

When are SNAP deposits issued in Vermont?#when-are-snap-deposits-issued-in-vermont

3SquaresVT benefits are sent out once per month, on the first of every month.

If your SNAP deposit doesn't arrive when expected, review these common reasons why deposits are delayed.

How do I renew my food stamps in Vermont?#how-do-i-renew-my-food-stamps-in-vermont

SNAP benefits don’t last forever—you’ll need to renew your case (also called recertification) to keep getting them.

When to renew

Most households in Vermont must renew every 12 months. You only have to renew every three years (36 months) if everyone in your household is:

• At least 60 years old or getting disability benefits, and
• Not earning income from a job or self employment, and
• Buying food and making meals together

The renewal process is similar to the application—you’ll fill out a form, complete an interview, and provide verification documents.

Separately, you’ll also need to complete a mid-certification check-in, also called an “interim report.” If you have a 12-month certification period, your interim report is due in the 5th month. If you have a 24-month certification period, your interim report is due in the 12th month. “3SquaresVT in a SNAP” households who have 36-month certification periods do not have to complete an interim report.

Your SNAP office should send you a letter in the mail the month before your last month of active benefits. Respond to the recertification notice and submit any requested documents before the deadline to avoid a gap in benefits. To be safe, you could also put a note in your calendar or wherever you keep important reminders.

How to renew

You can usually renew:

• Online through your MyBenefits account
• By phone
• By mail or in person

To find out the easiest way to renew in your area, call your caseworker, local office, or the Benefits Service Center: 1-800-479-6151

What can I buy with EBT in Vermont?#what-can-i-buy-with-ebt-in-vermont

Under federal SNAP rules, you can use your EBT card to buy most food items meant to be prepared and eaten at home.

SNAP‑eligible foods in Vermont include:

• Fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen, dried, or canned)
• Meat, poultry, and fish
• Dairy products, like milk, cheese, and yogurt
• Bread and cereals
• Snack foods, like popcorn, chips, pretzels, and candy
• Seeds and plants that grow food
• Drinks like juice, water, and energy drinks
• Pantry staples like flour, olive oil, and spices
• Infant formula and baby food

What you can’t buy with SNAP in Vermont:

• Alcohol, tobacco, or vapes
• Vitamins, supplements, and medicine
• Hot food that is sold prepared and ready to eat, like rotisserie chicken or soup from a deli
• Pet food
• Cleaning supplies and household items
• Diapers and wipes
• Live animals (except certain seafood and animals slaughtered before pickup)

While 3SquaresVT benefits are strictly for groceries and related food items, some people also receive TANF, which provides cash on an EBT card for household needs, including rent, bills, and other expenses.

Where are EBT cards accepted in Vermont?#where-are-ebt-cards-accepted-in-vermont

You can use your EBT card at:

• Grocery stores
• Convenience stores
• Farmers markets
• Some online retailers

Download Propel to find nearby stores that take EBT, plus other Vermont SNAP resources

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What SNAP changes do I need to report?#what-snap-changes-do-i-need-to-report

You may be required to report changes to your SNAP case.

In Vermont, most changes are reported during your interim report or regular SNAP recertification or renewal, but some changes must be reported sooner to help avoid delays or issues with your benefits.

Changes you should report within 10 days:

• Household changes: Someone leaves or joins your household
• Earned income changes: Any changes to your total monthly earned income, like if you get a new job or become self-employed
• Work hours drop: If you have to meet "able-bodied adult without dependents" (ABAWD) work requirements for adults ages 18 to 64 and your hours drop below 20 hours per week
• Income goes over the limit: If your household's total gross monthly income goes over 130% of the federal poverty level (FPL) for your household size
• Address changes: If you move

If everyone in your household is elderly or has a disability and no earned income, you only have to report household changes and income changes.

Some changes, like a drop in income or an increase in housing or medical costs, aren’t required to report between renewals, but reporting them could increase your monthly benefit.

How to report changes

To report a change, you can do one of the following:

• Use your MyBenefits account
• Call your local SNAP office
• Call your caseworker

If you’re unsure whether a change needs to be reported right away, contacting your SNAP office is the safest option.

How do I report a lost or stolen EBT card in Vermont?#how-do-i-report-a-lost-or-stolen-ebt-card-in-vermont

If your EBT card is lost, stolen, or damaged, you should report it as soon as possible so you can get a new one and protect yourself from EBT theft.

Here's what to do:

• Call the Vermont EBT Customer Service line: 1-800-914-8605
• Follow the prompts to cancel your card or request a replacement

Frequently asked questions#frequently-asked-questions

Can I get any discounts with my EBT card?#can-i-get-any-discounts-with-my-ebt-card

Yes, your Vermont EBT card can get you discounted groceries. Shopping with 3SquaresVT benefits may unlock perks at your local co-op, like free or low-cost membership and discounts on food. Each store works a little differently, so check with your local co-op below to see how it works. The Farm Share Program works similarly at CSAs. Keep an eye out for application deadlines.

Additionally, through Crop Cash, you can get extra grocery money (up to $20) to spend on fruits, vegetables, herbs, culinary seeds, and plant starts when you spend 3SquaresVT benefits at participating farmers markets. You could also get a 50% discount on fresh produce from certain farm stands.

If you are a WIC participant or your income is below a certain amount, you also qualify for Vermont’s Farm to Family program, which offers $30 in coupons (or $48 if you’re age 60 or up) to use at farmers markets.

Beyond groceries, your EBT card can get you discounted or free admission to museums, theme parks, zoos, aquariums, and more.

You can even qualify for low–cost internet and discounted memberships to online retailers, like Amazon or Walmart.

Can I use my SNAP benefits at restaurants in Vermont?#can-i-use-my-snap-benefits-at-restaurants-in-vermont

No, in Vermont, you generally cannot use SNAP benefits to buy hot, prepared food or to eat at restaurants.

While some states have a Restaurant Meals Program for the elderly, disabled, or those experiencing homelessness, Vermont does not participate in this program.

You can only use your 3SquaresVT benefits at authorized retailers (like grocery stores and farmers markets) for food items intended to be prepared and eaten at home.

Can I get more food stamps if I’m pregnant or a new parent?#can-i-get-more-food-stamps-if-im-pregnant-or-a-new-parent

Yes, once your child is born, you should report your new family member to your district office. More household members mean more benefits.

If you're pregnant or have a child under five years old, consider applying for the WIC program, which gives you extra benefits on top of food stamps—including things like support with breastfeeding and extra grocery benefits.

Can I use my Vermont EBT card in another state?#can-i-use-my-vermont-ebt-card-in-another-state

As of April 2026, Vermont EBT cards may not be used in certain parts of the country to protect against electronic benefits theft.

You can’t use your EBT card in-store or at ATMs in:

• California
• Nevada
• Brooklyn, New York
• Garner, North Carolina
• Raleigh, North Carolina
• Duluth, Georgia

You can only place online grocery orders in Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and New York – except for in Brooklyn, Garden City, and Staten Island.

If you need to use your card in a restricted area, call 1-800-479-6151. It will take approximately 15 minutes for your EBT card to update and then it will work normally.

How do I activate my EBT card in Vermont?#how-do-i-activate-my-ebt-card-in-vermont

To activate your Vermont EBT card online, register on the ebtEDGE site or mobile app with your 16-digit EBT card number. You’ll be able to set up a PIN after you log in.

If you prefer to activate your EBT card over the phone, call 1-800-914-8605 and follow the automated prompts to the card activation menu. Enter your card number when prompted and create a new PIN.

What other benefits are available to me in Vermont?#what-other-benefits-are-available-to-me-in-vermont

The Vermont Department for Children and Families and Department of Health run several programs for low-income households, including:

• Child Care Financial Assistance: Money for child care
• Crisis Fuel Assistance: Financial help if you’re experiencing a heating crisis, like if you’re out of fuel and can’t afford to buy more
• Emergency Heating System Program: Covers the cost of repairs or replacements for your primary heat source
• Energy Assistance (EAP): Monthly discounts on your energy bills
• Fuel Assistance: One-time payment toward home heating bills
• Emergency Housing: Temporary housing in a hotel during a natural disaster, like a fire, flood, or other catastrophic situation
• Essential Person Program: Helps pay for live-in care if you’re age 65 or older, blind, or have a disability and meet income limits or qualify for SSI or SSDI benefits
• Personal Needs and Incidentals (PNI): Benefits for household items, room and board payments, and mortgage or rent payments
• Vermont Spay Neuter Incentive Program (VSNIP): Helps pay to have your dogs and cats spayed or neutered
• EA/GA (Emergency/General Assistance): Help for individuals and families to cover costs for basic necessities like household supplies, food, housing, utilities, healthcare, and burial costs
• Reach Up (TANF): Cash assistance, called Cash EBT, and workforce training opportunities
• WIC (Women, Infants, and Children): Nutrition and breast feeding support among other benefits

Use this benefit finder tool to see what other support you and your family might be eligible for.