Benefit programs in Vermont (2026)
For families in Vermont we check every federal program below, then map your state's own programs and point you to the office that runs each one.
For some of Vermont's own programs below we already have a vetted maximum from the official source. Those show "Up to $X/year". For programs without a vetted cap, we describe the program and link its official page while we finish computed-depth verification. Federal amounts are computed for every state, including yours.
Vermont families can get Medicaid help with care at home through a statewide 1115 demonstration, not named waivers. We have not yet confirmed a dollar figure for a property-tax relief program in Vermont, so none is quoted here. Vermont also runs a federally funded LIHEAP energy-assistance program that helps pay heating bills for qualifying households. Figures checked against official sources, last on 2026-08-05.
Does Vermont Medicaid pay for care at home?
Yes. Vermont covers Medicaid home care through a statewide 1115 demonstration rather than named §1915(c) waivers, so there are no waiver titles to list. That is a difference in how the state organizes the benefit, not an absence of it. We have no confirmed dollar figure for what Vermont pays toward home care. Contact Vermont's Medicaid agency, or call 800-642-5119.
What property tax relief is available to seniors in Vermont?
Vermont has 3 property-tax relief programs that seniors may qualify for: Vermont Property Tax Credit and Vermont Renter Credit. We have not confirmed their dollar amounts against the official state pages (last checked 2026-08-05), so we do not state amounts here. The official links below carry the current figures. Call your state's Aging and Disability Resource Center at 800-642-5119 and ask which you qualify for. They will also tell you the filing deadline, which is usually earlier than people expect.
4 programs in Vermont. Each description below is drawn from its linked source and shown in full: the tag next to each name marks its source tier (GOV/GOV PDF: the program's own official page, ANALYSIS/IND: a secondary source).
Property-tax figures last checked against official sources on 2026-08-05. See how we verify figures.
| Program | Benefit | Vetted maximum | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont Property Tax Credit GOV | Income-sensitized credit that pays a portion of the property tax on the homestead (shown as 'State Payment' on the tax bill). Maximum credit is $5,600 for the statewide education property tax portion and $2,400 for the municipal property tax portion. Requires a filed Homestead Declaration (Form HS-122) and Schedule HI-144. | Up to $5,600/year. Income limit: Household Income (Schedule HI-144, includes Social Security, veterans' benefits, some nontaxable pensions, etc.) must not exceed $115,400 in 2025. Tax year 2025. Also up to $2,400. Vermont Department of Taxes → | Official source → |
| Vermont Renter Credit GOV | Income-based credit calculated using 10% of HUD fair market rent for an apartment of the claimant's family size in their county. Example given by the Department: a two-person household in Addison County (2-bedroom FMR $16,920/yr for 2025) yields a $1,692 credit. Must have lived in Vermont all prior year and paid rent at least 6 months (need not be consecutive); not claimed as a dependent. | Official source → | |
| Disabled Veteran and Surviving Spouse Property Tax Exemption GOV | Reduces the taxable (assessed) value of the veteran's homestead by a state-mandated minimum of $10,000 in both the municipal and education grand lists; cities and towns may vote to increase the exemption up to $40,000 in the municipal grand list only. Property tax is then calculated on the lower value. Per 32 V.S.A. § 3802. Available to unremarried surviving spouses and minor children of a qualifying veteran. Must reapply every year by May 1 through the Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs. | Official source → | |
| Municipal Tax Abatement (Board of Abatement) GOV | Local, discretionary relief only (NOT a statewide program). Under 24 V.S.A. § 1535 a town's board of abatement MAY abate all or part of property taxes, interest, and fees for reasons including sickness, disability, or other good cause; also covers the veterans' exemption amount for eligible persons who file late (May 1–Oct 1), reduced 20% per month late. Vermont has NO statewide senior assessment freeze and NO statewide property-tax deferral program (confirmed against Vermont legislative policy documents; proposed 65+ homestead exemption bill S.315 is not enacted). | Official source → |
Vermont Property Tax Credit GOV
- Benefit
Income-sensitized credit that pays a portion of the property tax on the homestead (shown as 'State Payment' on the tax bill). Maximum credit is $5,600 for the statewide education property tax portion and $2,400 for the municipal property tax portion. Requires a filed Homestead Declaration (Form HS-122) and Schedule HI-144.
- Vetted maximum
Up to $5,600/year. Income limit: Household Income (Schedule HI-144, includes Social Security, veterans' benefits, some nontaxable pensions, etc.) must not exceed $115,400 in 2025. Tax year 2025. Also up to $2,400. Vermont Department of Taxes →
- Official source
- Official source →
Vermont Renter Credit GOV
- Benefit
Income-based credit calculated using 10% of HUD fair market rent for an apartment of the claimant's family size in their county. Example given by the Department: a two-person household in Addison County (2-bedroom FMR $16,920/yr for 2025) yields a $1,692 credit. Must have lived in Vermont all prior year and paid rent at least 6 months (need not be consecutive); not claimed as a dependent.
- Official source
- Official source →
Disabled Veteran and Surviving Spouse Property Tax Exemption GOV
- Benefit
Reduces the taxable (assessed) value of the veteran's homestead by a state-mandated minimum of $10,000 in both the municipal and education grand lists; cities and towns may vote to increase the exemption up to $40,000 in the municipal grand list only. Property tax is then calculated on the lower value. Per 32 V.S.A. § 3802. Available to unremarried surviving spouses and minor children of a qualifying veteran. Must reapply every year by May 1 through the Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs.
- Official source
- Official source →
Municipal Tax Abatement (Board of Abatement) GOV
- Benefit
Local, discretionary relief only (NOT a statewide program). Under 24 V.S.A. § 1535 a town's board of abatement MAY abate all or part of property taxes, interest, and fees for reasons including sickness, disability, or other good cause; also covers the veterans' exemption amount for eligible persons who file late (May 1–Oct 1), reduced 20% per month late. Vermont has NO statewide senior assessment freeze and NO statewide property-tax deferral program (confirmed against Vermont legislative policy documents; proposed 65+ homestead exemption bill S.315 is not enacted).
- Official source
- Official source →
How much heating bill help can I get in Vermont?
Up to $2,089 toward heating bills. That is the FY 2026 maximum Vermont's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) publishes. Most households get less. This is the ceiling, not a typical amount. A separate crisis benefit of up to $2,479.64 is available if your service is about to be shut off. Source: https://liheapch.acf.gov/profiles/Vermont.htm
| Program | Benefit | Published maximum | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) | Help with heating bills, plus emergency help if service is at risk. Emergency crisis help is available. | In Vermont the published heating maximum is $2,089. Crisis maximum: $2,479.64. | Official source → |
Retirement income tax
Social Security in Vermont: Vermont exempts Social Security benefits that are taxable at the federal level, on an income-based sliding scale (2025 tax year). FULL exemption when federal AGI is $0–$55,000 for single/married-filing-separately/head-of-household/widow(er) filers, and $0–$70,000 for married-filing-jointly/civil-union joint filers. PARTIAL exemption in the phaseout range $55,001–$64,999 (single, etc.) and $70,001–$79,999 (joint); phaseout factor = (top-of-threshold − AGI) / $10,000, where top-of-threshold is $65,000 (other filers) or $80,000 (joint). NO exemption at AGI ≥ $65,000 (single, etc.) or ≥ $80,000 (joint). Benefits already excluded federally are not taxed by Vermont.
Pensions, IRAs, and 401(k)s: Pension, IRA, and 401(k) distributions are generally fully taxed as part of Vermont taxable income (Vermont starts from federal taxable income). Vermont provides a $10,000 income exclusion ONLY for specific government pensions, and a taxpayer may claim only ONE of these exemptions even if more than one applies: (1) Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) – first $10,000 excluded if joint filers earned ≤ $75,000 or other filers ≤ $60,000; (2) 'Other eligible retirement systems' – first $10,000 of a contributory annuity/pension/endowment/retirement system of the U.S. or a state government, but ONLY for benefits based on earnings NOT covered by Social Security (same income caps: joint ≤ $75,000, others ≤ $60,000); (3) Military retirement income – first $10,000 excluded if income is below the Social Security exemption thresholds. Private-sector pensions, IRAs, and 401(k)s do NOT qualify for t
Official source →Federal programs: checked in Vermont too
These are computed for every family, wherever they live.
VA Aid & Attendance
An extra monthly VA payment for wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need daily help.
Medicare Savings Programs
State help that pays your Medicare premiums, and sometimes deductibles and copays.
Medicare Extra Help
Lowers what you pay for prescription drugs under Medicare Part D.
SNAP (food support)
Monthly money for groceries. Older adults often qualify for more than they expect.
Social Security & SSI
Checks whether the person may be missing Social Security or Supplemental Security Income.
Federal tax credits
Credits and deductions families miss, including medical expenses and the credit for the elderly or disabled.
Medicare before 65
Medicare eligibility for people under 65 through a disability.
Who do I call in Vermont for help with elder care?
Call your state's Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) at 800-642-5119. They're the free, no-wrong-door starting point for home care, respite and other long-term-care options in Vermont. If someone is unsafe, neglected or being exploited, Adult Protective Services can help at 800-564-1612.
Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) / No Wrong Door
Free help understanding your options.
800-642-5119Which of these fits your family?
Being on this list doesn't mean your family qualifies. That depends on income, savings, care needs and service history. The free check works out which ones are worth your time, in about four minutes.
Not legal or medical advice. Benefits vary. Figures are estimates.