Benefits for seniors in Vermont

Medicaid for people 65 and over

Vermont Medicaid is run by the Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA). The program for older adults is MABD (Medicaid for the Aged, Blind and Disabled).

• Who qualifies: You live in Vermont and are 65 or older, blind, or disabled, and you meet the money rules.
• Income: Vermont uses a "protected income level." For one or two people it is $1,375 a month outside Chittenden County, or $1,483 in Chittenden County.
• Assets: Up to $2,000 for one person, or $3,000 for two.
• What it covers: Doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions and more. With Medicare, it helps with costs Medicare does not pay.
• If you get SSI: You can usually get Medicaid automatically.

Long-term care Medicaid. Vermont's long-term care Medicaid program is Choices for Care. It pays for care at home, in an enhanced residential care home, or in a nursing home. In a nursing home you keep a personal needs allowance of $79.93 a month, and most of the rest of your income goes toward your care. A spouse at home can keep assets up to $162,660. Your home may not count if your equity is under $752,000. You apply with form 202LTC.

Estate recovery: After you die, Vermont can seek repayment for long-term care Medicaid from your estate, including your home. Heirs can ask for a hardship exemption in some cases, such as a family caregiver who lived in the home. Call DVHA customer service at 1-855-899-9600.

Help paying Medicare costs

Vermont's Medicare Savings Programs have no asset test, and the income limits are well above the federal levels. You must be able to get Medicare.

• QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary): Pays your Part A and Part B premiums, plus deductibles, coinsurance and copays. Income at or below 150% of the poverty level: $1,995 a month for one person or $2,707 for a couple.
• QI (Qualifying Individual): Pays your Part B premium. Income above the QMB limit and up to 202% of the poverty level: $2,687 a month for one person or $3,645 for a couple. You cannot get QI if you also get Medicaid.
• SLMB has ended. Vermont closed SLMB on December 31, 2025. Most SLMB members were moved to QMB, which pays more.
• New household rule: Since April 1, 2026, relatives who live with you and depend on you for at least half their support may count in your household size. If that applies, call 1-800-250-8427 and report it.

If you get QMB or QI, you also get Extra Help with Part D drug costs automatically. You still need a Medicare drug plan.

Prescription drug help

VPharm helps people on Medicare pay for prescriptions. It works with your Medicare drug plan. Income limits go up to 225% of the poverty level, which is $2,993 a month for one person or $4,060 for a couple.

• VPharm 1: Income up to $1,995 a month for one person. Premium $15 a month per person. You must also apply for Extra Help.
• VPharm 2: Premium $20 a month per person.
• VPharm 3: Premium $50 a month per person.

When you apply for MABD, DVHA also checks you for VPharm, the Medicare Savings Programs and the Healthy Vermonters drug discount. Also see federal Extra Help.

Extra state payment with SSI

Yes. Vermont adds money to the federal SSI payment. This state part is called AABD (Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled). For a single person living independently, the state adds $55.68 a month, for a total of $1,049.68. The state part is included in your monthly SSI payment, so you apply through Social Security.

Food help

Vermont's SNAP program is called 3SquaresVT, run by the Department for Children and Families (DCF).

• Income: Most households must have gross income at or below 185% of the poverty level.
• Over that limit? If someone in your home is 60 or older or disabled, you may still qualify. Your resources are then counted, but your home and some retirement accounts are not.
• Easier application: If everyone applying is 60 or older or gets disability benefits, there is a shorter way to apply, called "3SquaresVT in a SNAP!"
• Direct deposit: If everyone in your home is 65 or older or gets SSI, benefits can go straight into your bank account.

Your local Area Agency on Aging can tell you about community meals and home-delivered meals. Call 1-800-642-5119.

Help staying at home

Choices for Care. This Medicaid program helps people who need nursing home level of care get that care at home or in the community.

• Who qualifies: You are 65 or older (or 18 or older with a physical disability), meet long-term care Medicaid money rules, and meet the "High" or "Highest" care need level.
• Where you can get care: At home (Traditional, Flexible Choices or Adult Family Care), in an enhanced residential care home, or in a nursing home.
• Income rules at home: If you get care at home, you can keep a maintenance allowance of $1,483 a month for your living costs.
• Two parts to approval: DVHA checks your money. The Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) checks your care needs.
• Help applying: Call the Senior HelpLine at 1-800-642-5119, your Area Agency on Aging, or your local home health agency.

Property tax and housing help

These programs are not limited to seniors, but many older Vermonters qualify.

• Property Tax Credit (homeowners): If your home is your homestead and you file a Homestead Declaration, you may get a credit on your property tax. For tax year 2025, household income must be at or below $115,400. The credit can be up to $5,600 on the state education tax and up to $2,400 on the town tax. File Form HS-122 and Schedule HI-144 by April 15, usually with your income tax return or on myVTax.
• Renter Credit: If you rented in Vermont for at least six months last year and your income is under the limit for your county and household size, you may get a credit. File Form RCC-146 on myVTax or by mail. Claims are due by October 15 for the year before, and late claims are not accepted. Your landlord must file a Landlord Certificate. If your landlord will not, call 802-828-2865.

Help with energy bills

• Seasonal Fuel Assistance: Vermont's LIHEAP program, run by DCF. It helps pay heating costs over the winter. Gross monthly household income must be at or below 185% of the poverty level.
• How to apply: Apply on the myBenefits portal, call 1-800-479-6151 for a paper form, or go to your local DCF district office. If you got help last season, watch for a review form in the mail.
• Crisis Fuel Assistance: DCF also has a separate crisis fuel program. Ask DCF at 1-800-479-6151.
• Weatherization: Households that get Seasonal Fuel Assistance can also get free weatherization.

Free help and counseling

• SHIP (State Health Insurance Program): Vermont's free Medicare counseling program. It is run by the Adult Services Division and provided by your local Area Agency on Aging. Counselors help you choose and use Medicare coverage. Call 1-800-642-5119.
• Senior HelpLine: 1-800-642-5119 connects you to your local Area Agency on Aging for meals, caregiver help, in-home services and benefits help.
• Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living (DAIL): Vermont's state aging agency. Its Adult Services Division runs SHIP and other programs for older adults. Call 802-241-0294.

How to apply

Check what you may qualify for