Vermont Benefits Calculator: SNAP, Medicaid, CHIP and Other Income Limits (2026–27)

Vermont income limits at a glance

Income is before taxes. Each program counts income its own way (some take off deductions first), so a household just over a limit here can still qualify: the calculator works it out properly.

Sources: SNAP – Fiscal Year 2027 Cost-of-Living Adjustments (memo and tables, signed August 21, 2026) (USDA Food and Nutrition Administration (formerly Food and Nutrition Service)); 7 CFR 273.9 Income and deductions (eCFR up to date as of 2026-10-29) (eCFR / National Archives (USDA rule)); 7 CFR 273.10 Determining household eligibility and benefit levels (eCFR 2026-10-29) (eCFR / National Archives (USDA rule)); 7 CFR 273.8 Resource eligibility standards (eCFR 2026-10-29) (eCFR / National Archives (USDA rule)); Public Law 119-21 (the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act"), 4 July 2025, Title I Subtitle A "Nutrition", sections 10101-10108 (139 Stat. 81-85) (U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)); 3SquaresVT Program Manual - 1400 Categorical Eligibility (Vermont Agency of Human Services, Department for Children and Families, Economic Services Division); 3SquaresVT Program Manual - 3000 Tables (income limits, resource limits, standard deduction, standard medical expense, utility allowances) (Vermont Agency of Human Services, Department for Children and Families, Economic Services Division); 3SquaresVT Program Manual - 1600 Deductions (medical expenses 1700.5, utilities 1700.6.7) (Vermont Agency of Human Services, Department for Children and Families, Economic Services Division); 3SquaresVT | Department for Children and Families (Vermont Department for Children and Families); MACStats Exhibit 35. Medicaid and CHIP Income Eligibility Levels as a Percentage of the Federal Poverty Level for Children and Pregnant Women by State, July 2025 (Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC), a federal agency); MACStats Exhibit 36. Medicaid Income Eligibility Levels as a Percentage of the Federal Poverty Level for Non-Aged, Non-Disabled, Non-Pregnant Adults by State, July 2025 (Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC), a federal agency); HBEE Part 2 Eligibility Standards (adopted; section 7.03 version 01/01/2026, GCR 25-051) (State of Vermont site (humanservices.vermont.gov)); VHC 2026 FPL/PIL and 5% Income Disregard Chart for MCA (April 1, 2026) (State of Vermont site (info.healthconnect.vermont.gov)); VHC Medicaid and Dr. Dynasaur (State of Vermont site (info.healthconnect.vermont.gov)); Federal Medicaid Changes: Vermont Impact (Last updated 10/28/26) (State of Vermont site (dvha.vermont.gov)); Medicaid (members) (State of Vermont site (dvha.vermont.gov)); Federal Medicaid Changes: Vermont Impact (Last updated 10/28/26) (State of Vermont site (dvha.vermont.gov)); Medicaid Program; Community Engagement Requirement for Certain Individuals, interim final rule with comment period, 91 FR 33348 (3 June 2026), CMS-2454-IFC, RIN 0938-AV98, effective 31 July 2026 (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services via the Federal Register (read as the govinfo.gov PDF)); Public Law 119-21 (4 July 2025; 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act'; CMS now calls it the 'Working Families Tax Cut' legislation), Title VII Subtitle B Chapter 1 sections 71101-71121 (Medicaid) and 71201, 71301-71303 (U.S. Congress via the Government Publishing Office); Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): 2026/2027 Income Eligibility Guidelines (91 FR 23050-23052, FR Doc. 2026-08323, 29 Apr 2026) (USDA Food and Nutrition Service (Federal Register notice)); The Food and Nutrition Assistance Landscape: Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Report (Economic Information Bulletin 304, June 2026) (USDA Economic Research Service); CCFAP Income Guidelines, effective March 22, 2026 (Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF), Child Development Division); Child Care Financial Assistance Program (CCFAP) (Vermont DCF Child Development Division); CCDF Policies Database Book of Tables, policies as of October 1, 2023 (OPRE Report 2025-054, May 2025) (HHS/ACF/OPRE (Urban Institute)); Income Guidelines for Vermont Fuel and Utility Programs | Department for Children and Families (Income Guidelines for Vermont Fuel and Utility Programs, 2026-2027 (page created 3/23/2026)) (Vermont Department for Children and Families, Economic Services Division). Checked October 31, 2026.

Download every state's limits (CSV, opens in Excel) Every state and DC, households of 1 to 8 people: each program's monthly income limit and the most TANF pays, as the state pages show them, with the period each figure is for.

Where the cliffs are for a Vermont family

• $3,985 a month: Child care ends or drops, and the family has $484 less a month than just below it.
• $4,213 a month: SNAP ends or drops, and the family has $302 less a month than just below it.

Worked out by this site's calculator with Vermont's rules as of November 1, 2026. Money left means pay, and benefits counted as money, after federal taxes, the child care bill and health insurance premiums. Your own household will differ: put it in the calculator above.

Each program in Vermont

3SquaresVT (SNAP)

Vermont lets every household with gross income up to 185% of the poverty line (no limit on savings) apply (broad-based categorical eligibility). The amount still depends on income after deductions. A household that pays for heating or cooling counts a standard utility allowance of $1,135 a month with its rent. Where to apply.

Sources: 3SquaresVT Program Manual - 1400 Categorical Eligibility (Vermont Agency of Human Services, Department for Children and Families, Economic Services Division); 3SquaresVT Program Manual - 3000 Tables (income limits, resource limits, standard deduction, standard medical expense, utility allowances) (Vermont Agency of Human Services, Department for Children and Families, Economic Services Division); 3SquaresVT Program Manual - 1600 Deductions (medical expenses 1700.5, utilities 1700.6.7) (Vermont Agency of Human Services, Department for Children and Families, Economic Services Division); 3SquaresVT | Department for Children and Families (Vermont Department for Children and Families). Checked October 31, 2026.

Vermont Medicaid and CHIP

Vermont has expanded Medicaid, so adults 19 to 64 qualify up to 138% of the poverty line. From January 1, 2027 for new applicants and from March 1, 2027 for current members, adults 19 to 64 covered through Vermont’s Medicaid expansion must show 80 hours a month of work, community service, a work program or half-time school, or household income of at least $580 a month, to get or keep this coverage, unless they are exempt (for example, parents of a child 13 or under, people with a disability, and pregnant women). Where to apply.

Monthly income before taxes, counted the way Medicaid counts it (modified adjusted gross income); a pregnant woman counts the baby she expects. The percents include the 5 points of income Medicaid disregards.

Sources: MACStats Exhibit 35. Medicaid and CHIP Income Eligibility Levels as a Percentage of the Federal Poverty Level for Children and Pregnant Women by State, July 2025 (Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC), a federal agency); MACStats Exhibit 36. Medicaid Income Eligibility Levels as a Percentage of the Federal Poverty Level for Non-Aged, Non-Disabled, Non-Pregnant Adults by State, July 2025 (Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC), a federal agency); HBEE Part 2 Eligibility Standards (adopted; section 7.03 version 01/01/2026, GCR 25-051) (State of Vermont site (humanservices.vermont.gov)); VHC 2026 FPL/PIL and 5% Income Disregard Chart for MCA (April 1, 2026) (State of Vermont site (info.healthconnect.vermont.gov)); VHC Medicaid and Dr. Dynasaur (State of Vermont site (info.healthconnect.vermont.gov)); Federal Medicaid Changes: Vermont Impact (Last updated 10/28/26) (State of Vermont site (dvha.vermont.gov)); Medicaid (members) (State of Vermont site (dvha.vermont.gov)); Federal Medicaid Changes: Vermont Impact (Last updated 10/28/26) (State of Vermont site (dvha.vermont.gov)); Medicaid Program; Community Engagement Requirement for Certain Individuals, interim final rule with comment period, 91 FR 33348 (3 June 2026), CMS-2454-IFC, RIN 0938-AV98, effective 31 July 2026 (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services via the Federal Register (read as the govinfo.gov PDF)); Public Law 119-21 (4 July 2025; 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act'; CMS now calls it the 'Working Families Tax Cut' legislation), Title VII Subtitle B Chapter 1 sections 71101-71121 (Medicaid) and 71201, 71301-71303 (U.S. Congress via the Government Publishing Office). Checked October 31, 2026.

Vermont Reach Up

Cash help for families with children. Where to apply.

Source: TANF Programs by State (Help for Families map) (HHS/ACF/Office of Family Assistance). Checked October 31, 2026.

Child Care Financial Assistance Program

Help paying for child care while parents work or study. Where to apply.

Sources: CCFAP Income Guidelines, effective March 22, 2026 (Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF), Child Development Division); Child Care Financial Assistance Program (CCFAP) (Vermont DCF Child Development Division); CCDF Policies Database Book of Tables, policies as of October 1, 2023 (OPRE Report 2025-054, May 2025) (HHS/ACF/OPRE (Urban Institute)). Checked October 31, 2026.

Seasonal Fuel Assistance and Crisis Fuel Assistance

Help with heating and cooling bills, while the year's money lasts.

Source: Income Guidelines for Vermont Fuel and Utility Programs | Department for Children and Families (Income Guidelines for Vermont Fuel and Utility Programs, 2026-2027 (page created 3/23/2026)) (Vermont Department for Children and Families, Economic Services Division). Checked October 31, 2026.

State tax credits

For tax year 2026, Vermont has the Vermont Child Tax Credit of $1,000 a child under 7, smaller at higher incomes, paid even if you owe no state tax. The calculator works it out from your household's federal credits.

Source: Available Tax Credits (Vermont Child Tax Credit section) (Vermont Department of Taxes). Checked October 31, 2026.

Phone numbers and where to go in Vermont

Each number and address below is the one Vermont's own page printed when we checked it, with that page and the day under it. Where we could not read the state's page, it says "Not checked yet". Numbers change: if one does not work, the state's main page has the current one.

Applying is free. Start from the addresses here or the state's own page, not an ad or a link someone texts you, and never pay anyone to apply for you. Is this real?

How to ask for a hearing in Vermont

If you think a decision on your benefits is wrong, you can ask for a fair hearing: a meeting with someone outside the office that decided. Asking is free. Here is how Vermont says to ask, program by program.

Federal rules set the outer limits: a SNAP household can ask about anything the office did in the past 90 days (7 CFR 273.15), and for Medicaid a state must allow a reasonable time of up to 90 days from the day the notice was mailed (42 CFR 431.221), so a state can set a shorter Medicaid limit. Whether your benefits keep coming while you wait depends on how soon you ask: your notice says by when. Only the agency and the hearing officer decide your case.

When benefits are paid in Vermont

Each state sets the days its SNAP benefits arrive. This is Vermont's rule as its own page states it; the exact day for your case is on your approval notice. SSI, Social Security and tax refund dates, and every state's SNAP rule, are on the payment dates page.

3SquaresVT (SNAP)

Not checked yet Vermont's own page with its SNAP payment days could not be read, or it prints no rule. The day is on your approval notice; the state's EBT line can tell you too.

Summer EBT (SUN Bucks) in 2026

Vermont took part in 2026, paying $120 for each child who qualified. The state calls it Summer EBT.

Families that qualify will receive $120 per eligible child for healthy summer foods. Benefits can be used at qualified retailers like grocery stores, online retailers , and farmers' markets to

Source: summerebt.vermont.gov, checked November 1, 2026

Free help from a person in Vermont

These are free. None of them can approve benefits, but they can help you apply, answer a letter or get ready for a hearing.

Updated November 1, 2026