The state of Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development answers common questions about financial assistance available to individuals who may need help paying bills.
Is any kind of immediate financial assistance available for individuals?
A federal stimulus package includes direct one-time payments to most Americans. The direct payment will provide $1,200 payments to adults with annual incomes up to $75,000, plus another $500 per child. For most Americans, the money is likely to arrive in April via the direct deposit information as indicated on your 2019 tax return, or by check through the mail if no direct deposit information was provided in your tax return.
What should I do if I am unable to pay my utility bill?
Contact your utility provider to let them know that you are having financial trouble related to Covid-19 emergency. While payment terms may be adjusted, charges will still accrue, and arrangements must be made to pay the amounts owed. Providers of natural gas, electricity or land-line telephones are not permitted to disconnect services during this time. Additionally, Comcast, Consolidated, Sprint, AT&T and some other internet and cell phone service providers have pledged to maintain services to customers. Contact your provider about their policy. Charges will still accrue, and arrangements must be made to pay the amounts owed in full.
What can I do if I don’t think I will be able to pay my taxes?
On March 21, 2020, the U.S. Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service announced that the federal income tax filing due date has been extended from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020. The Vermont income tax filing due dates for the following taxes have also been extended from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020:
Vermont Personal Income Tax
Vermont Homestead Declaration and Property Tax Credit Claims
Corporate Income Tax
Fiduciary Income Tax
Taxpayers may file and pay these taxes before July 15, 2020, without penalty or interest. Although the due date for filing has moved to July 15, taxpayers who are able to file now are encouraged to do so, especially those who are expecting a refund. The Vermont Department of Taxes remains able to process to returns and refunds in order to get money back into taxpayers’ hands as soon as possible.
Some Vermonters are eligible for free federal and state tax filing. Am I?
You may qualify for free federal and free state online tax preparation and e-filing if:
Your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is $69,000 or less and
You are age 51 or younger or
You are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit, or
Your Active Military for Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is $69,000 or less
More information is available at tax.vermont.gov/individuals/free-file.
Do I have to pay rent or mortgage this month?
If you can afford it, yes. If you are having trouble making ends meet due to the Covid-19 emergency, contact your mortgage service provider or landlord regarding the terms of your payment. While terms may be adjusted, homeowners and renters remain responsible for making payments in full.
Federal law prohibits foreclosures on all federally-backed mortgage loans for a 60-day period beginning on March 18, 2020. Up to 180 days of forbearance will be provided to borrowers who have a federally-backed mortgage loan who have experienced a financial hardship related to the Covid-19 emergency.
Can I be evicted for non-payment of rent?
No, evictions have been temporarily paused in Vermont until 30 days after the governor terminates the State of Emergency by declaration. The Senate unanimously approved the measure to freeze evictions and foreclosures in its bill, S.333, passed April 10. Vermont courts already largely halted evictions during the Covid-19 crisis after it declared a judicial emergency on March 16, which suspended all non-emergency court proceedings, until at least May 31, 2020. If you have received a Writ of Possession, contact Vermont Legal Aid at 1-800-889-2047 for assistance.
My tenants cannot pay rent and I am unable to pay the mortgage on my rental property. What do I do?
Multi-unit property owners should contact their mortgage service provider if they unable to pay their mortgage. Federal law provides up to 90 days of forbearance for multi-family borrowers with a federally backed multi-family mortgage loan who have experienced a financial hardship.
What do I do if I need emergency housing?
Contact Vermont 211, a 24-hour hotline for help obtaining emergency housing, shelter and other resources and services.
May I sign a long-term lease (more than 30 days) on a new apartment or house?
Long-term rental leases are allowed. Moving and moving services are also allowed, so long as social distancing guidelines are followed.
For more information visit accd.vermont.gov/Covid-19/individuals
Additional financial resources in Rutland County:
BROC Community Action in Rutland helps residents across south western Vermont with access to food, housing and homelessness, fuel and utilities, justice and economic development to create a path forward out of crisis or poverty, so our neighbors and communities thrive. Visit broc.org.
Rutland Housing Authority is still accepting applications for housing. Call 802-775-2926 or visit rhavt.org
Homeless Prevention Center has closed its office but is working remotely by phone. Homeless in Rutland County? Call 775-9286 or visit hpcvt.org.
Vermont 2-1-1 is the statewide referral agency that provides listings of financial and other assistance agencies by county. Consumers can find out what agencies in their area provide financial help call 2-1-1 or visit vermont211.org or text your zip code to 898211 or email info@vermont211.org.
The Fuel Assistance program can help consumers pay part of their home heating needs whether they own their home or rent an apartment, pay for heat directly or with the rent. Visit dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/fuel-assistance.
Economic Services Division offers emergency and general assistance to individuals and families to meet their emergency basic needs. This may include help paying for personal needs and incidentals, housing (e.g., mortgage, rent, room rent, temporary housing), fuel and utilities, medical, dental, prescriptions, medical supplies/equipment and/or burial costs. Benefits are paid directly to the vendor, with the exception of personal need items, which are paid on an EBT card. To find out if you are eligible, apply! Call 1-800-479-6151 (ask for the Rutland County district office.)